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NEC QUAESTIONI
quidem cedendum.

Do not yield even to torture

Figure of a lioness with raised paw.
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Cecropia effictam quam cernis in arce leaenam,
Harmodii an nescis hospes, amica fuit?
Sic animum placuit monstrare viraginis acrem,
More ferae, nomen vel quia tale fuit[1].
Quod fidibus contorta suo non prodidit ullum,
Indicio, elinguem reddidit Iphicrates.[2]

This lioness that you see represented on the Athenian citadel was Harmodius’s lover - stranger, you must know the story. This was how they decided to proclaim the brave woman’s fierce spirit, by representing her as a lioness. Besides, her name was Lioness too. Tortured on the rack, she betrayed no-one by her evidence, and so Iphicrates represented the beast without a tongue.

Notes:

1.  Later editions read tulit.

2.  Harmodius and Aristogeiton conspired to kill Hipparchus, the brother of the Athenian tyrant Hippias. Harmodius was killed, Aristogeiton arrested and tortured. Also tortured was Leaena (‘Lioness’) a courtesan, beloved of Harmodius, as she too was suspected of being in the conspiracy. She however revealed nothing. After the fall of Hippias, the two men were treated as tyrannicides and bronze statues were erected in their honour (509 BC). To avoid appearing to honour a courtesan, the Athenians had Leaena represented by Iphicrates (or Amphicrates) as a lioness without a tongue, indicating both her name and the reason for remembering her. See Pliny, Natural History 34.19.72; Plutarch, De garrulitate 505E.

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  • beasts of prey, predatory animals: lion (+ female animal) [25F23(LION)(+23)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • beasts of prey, predatory animals: lion (+ postures of hind leg(s) of animal(s)) [25F23(LION)(+56)] Search | Browse Iconclass

Relating to the text:

  • tongue [31A22141] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • torture [44G330] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • Taciturnity; 'Secretezza', 'Secretezza overo Taciturnità' (Ripa) (+ emblematical representation of concept) [52DD3(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • names of cities and villages (with NAME) [61E(ATHENS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • (story of) Harmodius and Aristogiton representations to which the NAME of a person from classical history may be attached [98B(HARMODIUS & ARISTOGITON)3] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • male persons from classical history (with NAME) representations to which the NAME of a person from classical history may be attached [98B(IPHICRATES)3] Search | Browse Iconclass
  • female persons from classical history (with NAME) suffering, misfortune of person from classical history [98C(LAENA)6] Search | Browse Iconclass

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EMBLEMA X.

In Senatum boni principis.

On the senate of a good prince

DIALOGISMUS

A Dialogue.

Handless figures sitting before figure of god
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Effigies manibus truncae ante altaria divûm
Hic resident, quarum lumine capta prior.
Signa potestatis summae, sanctique Senatus
Thebanis fuerant ista reperta viris.[1]
Cur resident? Quia mente graves decet esse quieta
Iuridicos, animo nec variare levi
Cur sine sunt manibus? Capiant ne xenia, nec se
Pollicitis flecti muneribusque sinant.
Caecus at est princeps, quòd solis auribus absque
Affectu, constans iussa senatus agit.

Figures without hands sit here before the altars of the gods. The chief of them is deprived of sight. These symbols of the supreme power and of the reverend senate were discovered by men of Thebes. - Why do they sit? - Because lawgivers should be serious, of a calm mind, and not change with inconstant thoughts. - Why have they no hands? - So that they may not take gifts, nor let themselves be influenced by promises or bribes. But the president is blind, because the Senate, by hearing alone, uninfluenced by feeling, impartially discharges what it is bidden to do.

Link to an image of this page  Link to an image of this page  [C5v f8v]

Das X.

Beschreibung eines Fürsten löbliche
Räht.

Hie sitzn vor der Götter altar
Bilder die haben kein Hand zwar
Der öberst aber under in
Der ist beraubt der augen sin
Diß haben von Theb die weisse Mann
Erdacht, damit zu zeigen an
Deß öbersten Rahts höchst gewalt
Und Herrschafft wie die seyn soll gstalt
Warumb sitzen sie aber all
Darumb das jeder Richter sal
Tapffer seyn und von Hertzen deicht
Und sich nicht lassen bewegen leicht
Warumb haben sie dann kein Handt?
Das sie nit nemmen gab und Pfandt
Und das sie mit geschenck und miet
Sich ließn biegen und wenden nit
Der öberst aber der ist blindt
Das er allein soll hören gschwindt
Und unansehung der Person
Das urtheil thu vollstrecken schon.

Notes:

1.  This is Thebes in Egypt. See Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 10; also Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.

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