
Optimus civis.
The best citizen
EMBLEMA CXXXIIII.
Dum iustis patriam Thrasibulus[1] vindicat armis,
Dumque simultates ponere quemque iubet,
Concors ordo omnis magni instar muneris, illi
Palladiae sertum frondis[2] habere dedit.
Cinge comam Thrasybule, geras hunc solus honorem:
In magna nemo est aemulus urbe tibi.
Thrasybulus was avenging his country with righteous weapons and bidding every person lay aside his enmities; so every class in harmony granted him by way of great reward the wearing of a crown of Pallas’ leaves. - Wreathe your hair, Thrasybulus; you alone are to wear this honour. There is no rival to you in the great city.
1. Thrasybulus of Steiria, after a distinguished military career, was instrumental in liberating Athens from the tyranny of the Thirty in the political confusion at the end of the fourth century BC. For his own moderation and his resistance to vengeful acts by others in the ensuing settlement, see Cornelius Nepos, Life of Thrasybulus 3.2-3. According to Nepos (ibid. 4.3) Thrasybulus interpreted the olive-wreath freely offered him by the citizens as a sign that he was held in supreme honour by them.
2. ‘of Pallas’ leaves’, i.e. the leaves of the olive tree, sacred to Pallas Athene, patron goddess of Athens.
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- trees: olive-tree (+ sprig, twig) [25G3(OLIVE-TREE)(+221)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- trees: olive-tree [25G3(OLIVE-TREE)(+331)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm raised upward (+ holding something) [31A2511(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- one leg in front of the other (+ standing) [31A2621(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- one leg in front of the other, walking position (+ standing) [31A26211(+51)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- beard [31A534] Search | Browse Iconclass
- adult man (+ five persons) [31D14(+75)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- dress, gown (+ men's clothes) [41D211(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- coat, cape (+ men's clothes) [41D212(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- head-gear (+ men's clothes) [41D221(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- clothing for the upper part of the body (+ men's clothes) [41D223(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- trousers, breeches (+ men's clothes) [41D231(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- gear for legs and feet (+ men's clothes) [41D233(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- drapery, draped garment, 'Gewandgebung' (+ men's clothes) [41D27(+81)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- festivities (+ wreath, garland ~ festive activities) [43A(+12)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- the soldier; the soldier's life [45B] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- 'Amor della patria' (Ripa) [44C110] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Agreement, Unity; 'Concordia', 'Concordia insuperabile', 'Concordia militare', 'Concordia di Pace', 'Unione civile' (Ripa) [54E31] Search | Browse Iconclass
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