
Conscia conditio.
Conscious conditions
Est homines inter proprium discrimen honoris,
Hic herus imperitat, servus at ille iacet.
Hanc natura tulit legem mortalibus aequam,
Ingenio magnos ut colat inferior.
Et metus, occulta & cohibet reverentia servos,
His offensa dolet, nec temerant dominos.
Quosque Scythae reduces armis superare nequibant,
Fustes, lora fugant, verberibusque domant.[1]
Sic volucres aquilam, quadrupes timet usque leonem.
Maiestas animis ingerit obsequium.
There is a natural distinction of respectability between men: here the heir commands, and there the slave lies prone. Nature has made this equitable law for humankind, so that the lesser man should honour those great in character, and fear and hidden respect should restrain the servant classes. Offence is painful to them, nor do they desecrate their rulers. And those whom the Scythians, returning, could not vanquish with weapons, they tame with blows, for they flee the scourge and the strap. Thus birds fear the eagle, and fourlegged beasts the lion: majesty brings obedience to the soul.
1. The anecdote is related by Herodotus, The Histories, book three.
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Relating to the image:
- adult man (+ more than eight persons) [31D14(+79)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm held downwards (+ holding something) [31A2515(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched sidewards (+ holding something) [31A2513(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- armour [45C22] Search | Browse Iconclass
- casting weapons: spear [45C11(SPEAR)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- clouds [26A] Search | Browse Iconclass
- galloping horse [46C13183] Search | Browse Iconclass
- helmet [45C221] Search | Browse Iconclass
- horse [46C13141] Search | Browse Iconclass
- instruments of torture, execution or punishment: scourge [44G321(SCOURGE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- looking over the shoulder [31A247] Search | Browse Iconclass
- mountains [25H11] Search | Browse Iconclass
- postures and gestures of arms and hands in relation to each other (+ holding something) [31A252(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- protective weapons: shield [45C19(SHIELD)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- putting the enemy to flight (+ cavalry, horsemen) [45H4(+22)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- putting the enemy to flight - HH - being put to flight, fleeing (+ cavalry, horsemen) [45HH4(+22)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- relation between master and servant [46A240] Search | Browse Iconclass
- riding a horse, ass, or mule; rider, horseman [46C131] Search | Browse Iconclass
- rotating, twisting (movement of the human body) [31A2753] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sitting on an elevation [31A2352] Search | Browse Iconclass
- social stratification, social groups [46A10] Search | Browse Iconclass
- whip [46C1463] Search | Browse Iconclass
Relating to the text:
- 'Servitù', 'Servitù per forza' (Ripa) [46A180] Search | Browse Iconclass
- animals [25F] Search | Browse Iconclass
- birds [25F3] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Equality, Equity, Fairness, Righteousness; 'Equalità', 'Equità', 'Giuditio giusto', 'Ordine dritto e giusto', 'Ugualità' (Ripa) [59C21] Search | Browse Iconclass
- extinct, 'historical' peoples (with NAME) [32B2(SCYTHIANS)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Fear, Dread; 'Paura', 'Timidità o Timore', 'Timore' (Ripa) [56DD1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- heir [42E532] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Honour, Glory; 'Ampiezza della Gloria', 'Gloria', 'Gloria de prencipi', 'Gloria & Honore', 'Honore', 'Sublimatà della Gloria' (Ripa) [59B31] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Instinct, Natural Disposition; 'Instinto naturale' (Ripa) [58B6] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Insult; 'Ingiuria', 'Offesa' (Ripa) [57BB22] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Judgement, Discrimination; 'Giuditio' (Ripa) [52A52] Search | Browse Iconclass
- mind, spirit [31B] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Obedience; 'Obedienza' (Ripa) [53B5] Search | Browse Iconclass
- predatory birds (with NAME) [25F33(EAGLE)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Regality, Majesty; 'Maestà regia', 'Regalità' (Ripa) [59B41] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Respect, Reverence, Esteem [57B2] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Self-knowledge (+ emblematical representation of concept) [52A53(+4)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- taming, domestication of animals; tamed or domesticated animal [34A11] Search | Browse Iconclass
- weapons [45C1] Search | Browse Iconclass
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