Monday, November 29, 2010

Myths and Legends: Nisus and Euryalus

Nisus and Euryalus. To find out more about the heroic friends, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Nisus and Euryalus are devoted friends, warriors in the entourage of Aeneas; they die together fighting against the Latins in Italy. After raiding the enemy camp, they are making their escape when Euryalus is captured. Nisus tries to save him, but they are both killed and the Latin soldiers behead them and brandish their severed heads in view of the Trojans.

You can also find more myths and legends for Nov. 25 - Dec. 3 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.


Round-Up: November 29

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is the pronoun NOS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Nemo nostrum non peccat., "There is no one of us who does not make mistakes." (That's a great motto to keep in mind, especially since classicists seem especially prone to being perfectionists!)

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Fortuna et Puer, the story of a boy foolishly sleeping next to a well.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for CABALLUS, the horse as it was known in later Latin, and CORNIX, the crow.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Apes et Iuppiter, the story of the bee and Zeus. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

AESOP SLIDESHOW: Today's Aesop slideshow is Pater, Filii, et Agrorum Cultura, the story of how a father taught his sons the value of work.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Scito teipsum (English: Know yourself).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Alteri, si tibi (English: For another as if for yourself - which is a very elegant little expression of the Golden Rule).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Simia quicquid agit, simia semper erit (English: Whatever a monkey does, a monkey she'll always be).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Saepe etiam est olitor valde opportuna locutus (English: Even a vegetable-grower often speaks very much to the point - or, as the English proverb goes, "a gardener has spoken to purpose").

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Croesi pecuniae teruncium addit (English: He's adding a penny to the wealth of Croesus; from Adagia 4.10.48 - and for Croesus's proverbial wealth, see Wikipedia).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ἕμπροσθεν κρημνὸς, ὄπιθεν λύκοι (English: A cliff in front, and wolves behind - or, as we would say, "between and rock and a hard place").

For an image today, here is an illustration for the story of Jupiter and the bee who asked him for a deadly sting to use against us, thieving humans that we are! 670. Apes et Iuppiter. Quod suos labores ab hominibus compilari apicula aegre ferret, elegantissime constructos favos Iovi obtulit et ab illo petiit letiferam ut aculeo suo vim adderet. Iuppiter, immanitate bestiolae offensus, “Immo potius vitalem vim tribuam,” inquit, “ut una cum illo tibi vita relinquenda sit.” (source)

apes et Iuppiter

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Myths and Legends: Odysseus and Nausicaa

Odysseus and Nausicaa. To find out more about Nausicaa, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Here you see Odysseus, looking very bedraggled, having been washed ashore on the island of Scheria, where he meets Nausicaa, the daughter of Alcinoos, king of the Phaeacians.

You can also find more myths and legends for Nov. 25 - Dec. 3 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.


Saturday, November 27, 2010

Myths and Legends: Cronus

Cronus. To find out more about the Titan Cronus, father of Zeus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Cronus, associated by the Romans with Saturn, famously ate his own children until finally he was tricked into swallowing a stone in place of his son Zeus who later challenged his father and freed his brothers and sisters from Cronus' belly. As you can see, Cronus is depicted with a sickle - the very sickle he had used to castrate and overthrow his own father, Uranus.

You can also find more myths and legends for Nov. 25 - Dec. 3 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.


Round-Up: November 27

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is ITAQUE - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Vigilate itaque, quia nescitis diem, neque horam, "So keep your eyes open, because you know not the day nor the hour."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Anser et Ova Aurea, the famous story of the goose that laid the golden eggs.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ARDEA, the heron, and DRACO , the dragon.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Leo Amatorius et Silvanus, the story of the lion in love. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

AESOP SLIDESHOW: Today's Aesop slideshow is Cervus et Hinnulus Eius, the story of the cowardly stag. (For all the Aesop images, visit Flickr.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Tandem iustitia (English: Justice at last).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Via trita tutissima (English: The well-worn way is the safest)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Nutrit et accipiter pullos suos (English: Even a hawk nourishes its chicks). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Dolor animi multo gravior est quam corporis (English: Pain of mind is far more serious than that of the body).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Elephantus non capit murem (English: An elephant doesn't chase mice; from Adagia 1.9.70).

For an image today, here is the story of the lion in love: 12. Leo Amatorius et Silvanus. Leo silvani cuiusdam filiam perdite amavit et patrem virginis sollicitabat ut illi virgo in matrimonium daretur. Respondebat silvanus filiam esse tenellam et delicatulam virginem et numquam hamatos eius ungues dentesque passuram. Passus est igitur leo dentes et ungues evelli ut virgine frueretur. Quod cum vidisset pater, fustibus leoni involabat et longius imbellem abigebat. Fabula indicat vesaniam inutilis amoris, propter quem pretiosissima perdimus et captivitatem patimur. (source)

Leo Amatorius

Friday, November 26, 2010

Round-Up: November 26

I hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving! Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem sextum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is the defective verb INQUAM - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Since this verb is not found in proverbs, I've included some fables that show the use of inquam and inquit.

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Avara et Gallina, the story of a woman and her well-fed hen.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for CERVUS, the deer, and CAPRA, the nanny-goat.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Dives et Praeficae, a fable about hired mourners at a funeral. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Nulli nimium credite (English: Trust no one too much).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Tempus dolorem lenit (English: Time softens grief).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Ut pater incedit, sic gressus filius edit (English: As the father walks, so are the steps his son will make).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Mandatum lucerna est, et lex lux (Proverbs 6:23). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Sera in fundo parsimonia: It is to late sparinge at the botome. This sentence of Seneca is worthy to be written uppon the boxes of all those houses, of al countinge houses, upon al kaskettes, al vessels of wine or such like thinges. It monisheth us to spare betimes, and not to follow the common sorte of prodigal yongkers, which whan theyr landes and goods be ones fallen into theyr hands, think there is no botome of theyr fathers bagges and cofers, nor no boundes of theyr landes.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is from Cato's Distichs, with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:
Instrue praeceptis animum, ne discere cessa;
Nam sine doctrina vita est quasi mortis imago.
English: "Instruct your mind with teachings, and never stop learning, for life without education is like a semblance of death."

For an image today, here is an illustration of the story of the fat hen, 982. Avara et Gallina. Vidua habebat avem, quae ei quotidie unum pareret ovum. Largius ergo istam incepit alere, existimans fore ut, abundantius nutrita, duo pareret ova. Avis contra, nimiis alimentis facta obesior, ne unum quidem, ut antea, eniti potuit ovum. Qui maiora concupiscunt, parva quae possident saepissime solent amittere. (source - easy version)

Mulier et Gallina Obesa

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Myths & Legends: Nov. 25 - Dec. 3

Nov. 18-24 - Nov. 25 - Dec. 3 - Dec. 4-10

For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Reference Page.

Oenone. To find out more about the first wife of Prince Paris of Troy, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Venus and the Arms of Aeneas. To find out more about Aeneas and his mother Venus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Cronus. To find out more about the Titan Cronus, father of Zeus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Odysseus and Nausicaa. To find out more about Nausicaa, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Thisbe. To find out more about Pyramus and Thisbe, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Nisus and Euryalus. To find out more about the heroic friends, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Venus Mourns the Death of Adonis. To find out more about Adonis, the lover of Venus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Heracles and Omphale. To find out more about Omphale, the queen of Lydia, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Cyparissus. To find out more about Cyparissus, the lover of Apollo, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Myths and Legends: Diogenes and Alexander

Diogenes and Alexander. To find out more about the Cynic philosopher Diogenes, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

In a famous encounter between the Cynic philosopher Diogenes and Alexander the Great, Diogenes impressed Alexander with his defiant attitude. When it was announced to Diogenes that he was in the presence of Alexander and that he might make a request, all Diogenes had to say to Alexander was, "Move; you are blocking the light." Alexander was supposedly so impressed that he said that if he had not been born Alexander, he would have wanted to be born Diogenes. You can read about the many variations on this famous anecdote in this Wikipedia article.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 18-24 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Myths and Legends: Cadmus and the Dragon

Cadmus and the Dragon. To learn more about Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Cadmus was a Phoenician prince who founded the city of Thebes, following instructions he received from the Oracle at Delphi. In today's image, you see one of the tasks that Cadmus had to accomplish in the process of founding his city: there was a water-dragon that guarded the Castalian Spring near Delphi, and Cadmus slew the dragon.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 18-24 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: November 23

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody - I'll be back on November 26! :-)

HODIE: ante diem nonum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is LEX - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Quid leges sine moribus?, "What good are laws without moral character?"

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Cornix et Urna, a story about how brains are better than brawn.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for CAMELUS, the camel, and CURCULIO, the weevil.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Cygnus et Ciconia , a fable of the swan's song. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Rara bonitas (English: Goodness is rare).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Deus robur meum (English: God is my unshakable strength).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Dum fugans canis mingit, fugiens lepus evadit (English: When the dog in pursuit stops to pee, the fleeing rabbit gets away).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Hic timens Charybdim, incidi in Scyllam (English: Fearing Charybdis, I fell into Scylla).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Amicus cupit esse alter Hercules (English: A friend wishes to be another Hercules; from Adagia 1.7.41).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Ὑπὸ παντὶ λίθῳ σκορπίος. (English: A scorpion lurks under every stone).

For an image today, here is the wise crow: 447. Cornix et Urna. Sitibunda cornix reperit urnam aqua plenam, sed erat urna profundior quam ut exhauri a cornice possit. Conatur igitur vano molimine aquam effundere, sed non valet. Lectos igitur ex arena lapillulos iniectat. Hoc modo aqua levatur et cornix bibit. Necessitas est ingenii mater. (source - versio facilis)

Corvus et Urna

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Myths and Legends: Polyxena at the Well

Polyxena at the Well. To find out more about Achilles and Polyxena, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Polyxena was the youngest daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Achilles discovered her drawing water at a well and fell in love with her. Here is another depiction of Polyxena and Achilles at the well.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 18-24 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: November 21

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem undecimum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Corvus Aquilam Imitans, the story of a would-be eagle.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ARIES, the ram, and ELEPHAS , the elephant.

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is SECUNDUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Malo hic esse primus quam Romae secundus, "I preer to be first here than second in Rome" (a saying attributed in Plutarch to Julius Caesar, supposedly spoken as he was passing through a small village in the Alps).

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Perdices et Vespae , the story of the thirsty wasps and pigeons begging the farmer for water. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Quiescam (English: I shall have repose).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Ex humo homo (English: Man is from soil - although of course the Latin has some wonderful word play lacking in the English!)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Di lanatos pedes habent (English: The gods have woollen feet). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Ubi libertas cecidit, audet libere nemo loqui (English: When freedom has fallen, no one dares to speak freely).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Equis albis praecedere (English: To proceed with white horses; from Adagia 1.4.21). This referred to someone of superior quality, as white horses were customarily used in the Roman triumph. Below you can see four white horses in triumph for Petrarch's poem "Triumph of Love," a Renaissance micromosaic.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Myths and Legends: Leda and the Swan

Leda and the Swan. To find out more about Leda and Zeus disguised as a swan, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

This lovely painting shows Leda and the swan (Zeus in disguise), with her twin sons Castor and Pollux, newly hatched, offering her a bouquet of flowers. It is unclear just how much of this painting was conceived by Leonardo da Vinci; you can read more about that here at AncientWorlds.net. Here is a depiction of Leda and the swan in the form of a sculpture.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 18-24 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Round-Up: November 19

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium decimum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is DUO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Ne sis amicos inter arbiter duos, "Don't be the judge in an argument between two friends."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Cancer et Filius Eius, a "do as I say, not as I do" fable.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for APER, the wild boar, and GALLINA, the chicken.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Cervus et Vitis, the story of an ungrateful deer. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Dum spiro, spero (English: While I breathe, I hope).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Rem acu tetigisti (English: You have hit the thing with the needle - or, as we would say in English, "you've hit the nail on the head").

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Decipiuntur aves per cantus saepe suaves (English: The birds are often deceived by sweet songs).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Sol non occidat super iracundiam vestram (Eph. 4:26). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Leonem radere: Spoken where one attempteth a thinge daungerous and almoste impossible.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is from Cato's Distichs, with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:
Quod vile est, carum, quod carum, vile putato:
Sic tu nec cupidus nec avarus nosceris ulli.
English: "Consider what is trash to be precious, and consider what is precious to be trash: in this way you will not be known to anyone as greedy or stingy." What an elegant little saying! I like the double paradox: not only do you need to disdain the things held dear by others (money, fame, etc.), but you must also show a regard for those things which others reckon as unimportant: treasure each simple slice of bread more than you would a gourmet meal!

Today's image is an illustration for that story about the stag and the vine: 156. Cervus et Vitis. Fugiens venatores, cerva sub vite latebat. Mox frondibus vitis vesci incepit. Ramos vero agitatos venatores videntes, sagittis cervam confecere. Moriens ait, “Haec merito patior, quia viti bene facienti nocebam.” (source - the image is by Walter Crane)

Cervus et Vitis

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Myths & Legends: November 18-24


For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Reference Page.

Heracles and the Belt of Hippolyte. To find out more about the labors of Heracles, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Helen and Paris. To find out more about Helen and Paris, the prince of Troy, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Leda and the Swan. To find out more about Leda and Zeus disguised as a swan, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Polyxena at the Well. To find out more about Achilles and Polyxena, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Helen and Paris. To find out more about Helen and Paris, the prince of Troy, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Cadmus and the Dragon. To learn more about Cadmus, the founder of Thebes, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Diogenes and Alexander. To find out more about the Cynic philosopher Diogenes, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Myths and Legends: Theseus and the Bull of Marathon

Theseus and the Bull of Marathon. To find out more about the accomplishments of the hero Theseus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Although Theseus is most famous for defeating the Minotaur, here you can see him subduing another mighty bull, the Bull of Marathon. He captured the bull and brought it back to Athens where he offered it up in sacrifice. In some versions of the myth, this same bull was the father of the Minotaur, the half-man half-bull monster which Theseus would also defeat with the help of Ariadne.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 11-17 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: November 17

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum decimum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is AMO - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Iocos et dii amant, "Even the gods love jokes."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Harundo et Quercus, a fable about being flexible.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for CATTUS, the cat (the medieval cat in particular, as opposed to classical feles) and CETE, the whale, along with BESTIA, too.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Mures, Feles, et Tintinnabulum , the famous fable of belling the cat - a fable very much in the spirit of the proverbs about the cattus, and the mice, too. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Quaerendo invenietis (English: You will find by seeking).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ense et aratro (English: By the sword and the plow).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Ars varia vulpi (English: The fox has many a trick).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Egregia musica quae sit abscondita, nulli rei est (English: Outstanding music, if it is hidden, is of no account).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Midae divitiae (English: The wealth of Midas; from Adagia 1.6.24, you can read about Midas and his golden touch at Wikipedia).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Πόρρω Διός τε καὶ κεραυνοῦ (English: Far both from Jupiter and from his thunderbolt - which is to say, watch out for those in power and the powers that they wield!).

For an image today, here is an illustration for the fable of belling the cat: 206. Mures, Feles, et Tintinnabulum. Mures aliquando consultabant quomodo se a fele tueri possent. Multa proponebantur a singulis muribus, sed nihil placebat. Postremo unus dixit, “Tintinnabulum feli annectendum est; tum statim audiemus cum veniet, facileque effugiemus.” Omnes mures laeti praedicant prudentem consilii auctorem. “Iam tu,” inquiunt, “annecte tintinnabulum.” “Ego vero,” respondet ille, “consilium dedi; alius operam sumat.” Irritum consilium fuit, quoniam qui feli annecteret tintinnabulum non reperiebatur. Dictum citius quam factum. (image source)

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Myths and Legends: The Death of Dido

The Death of Dido. To find out more about Aeneas and Queen Dido, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

Dido, abandoned by Aeneas as he carries on his quest to find a new home in Italy, takes her own life; here are some more images of Dido and her story.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 11-17 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Round-Up: November 15

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

I've also started blogging animal proverbs, in preparation for the book I've decided I want to do this summer. I've got a few animals to get things started this time, and I should have a new animal for each round-up!

HODIE: ante diem septimum decimum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is COEPI - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Dimidium facti est coepisse, "To have gotten started is the job half-done."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Mus et Leonis Gratia, which is Abstemius's hilarious twist on the traditional fable of the lion and the mouse.

BESTIARIA PROVERBS: There are some new animal proverbs today for ANGUIS, the serpent, ALAUDA, the crested lark, ACCIPITER, the hawk, AGNUS, the lamb, and ANGUILLA, the eel.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Rusticus de Arbore Delapsus, a funny little story from Poggio Bracciolini. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Incepta persequor (English: I pursue what I have begun - which fits nicely with the word of the day, coepi).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is Melle litus gladius (English: A sword smeared with honey... so: watch out!)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Mutare non potest pardus varietates suas (English: A leopard cannot change his spots). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Feras, non culpes, quod mutari non potest (English: You should endure, not blame, what cannot be changed).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Homo homini lupus (English: Man is a wolf to man; from Adagia 1.1.70 - and it has a Wikipedia article of its own).

For an image today, here's the illustration for the Poggio fable above, about how to climb trees! 823. Rusticus de Arbore Delapsus. Qui in arborem ascenderat rusticus, de illa delapsus, graviter femur dextrum laesit. Huic alius forte praeteriens se consilium daturum dixit, quo usus numquam de arbore caderet. “Utinam,” inquit ille, “ante casum meum dedisses, sed profuerit tamen etiam in posterum; dic igitur.” Tum ille alter “Cave,” inquit, “ne velocius terram repetas unde ascendisti quam in arborem ipsam evaseris.” Fabula docet saepe cunctationem et moram esse laudabile. (source)

De Arbore Descendens

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Myths and Legends:

Penelope and the Suitors. To find out more about Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

This painting shows Penelope, faithfully awaiting for the return of Odysseus and rejecting the advances of the sutiors. She buys time by weaving what she says will be a shroud for her father-in-law Laertes, and undoing her work in the night so that the weaving goes on and on and on.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 11-17 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: November 14

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem duodevicesimum Kalendas Decembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is IBI - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Ubi concordia, ibi victoria, "Where there is agreement, there is victory."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Talpa et Tumulus, the story of the mole who gave himself away.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Culex et Apes , which happens to have been the subject of a fabula facilis last week. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Beneficiorum meminisse debemus (English: We should remember the favors done for us).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Miserum noli ridere (English: Don't ridicule someone who is wretched).

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Irritare canem noli dormire volentem (English: Do not irritate a dog who wants to sleep - in other words, let the sleeping dog lie!).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Omnia tempus habent (Ecc. 3:1). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Taverner: Sapiens sua bona secum fert: The wise man carieth about with him his goodes. By this is signified, that those onely be indeed and truely ours, which be within, as learning and vertue.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is from Cato's Distichs, with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:
Tempora longa tibi noli promittere vitae:
Quocumque incedis, sequitur mors corporis umbra.
English: "Don't promise yourself a long lifetime; wherever you go, death follows, your body's shadow."

Today's image goes with the story of the mole in the garden, 187. Talpa et Tumulus. Talpa larem tenebricosum, sub humo intubis et rapulis consita, fodiebat, et “Olitor,” inquit, “Argo oculatior fuerit, si me deprehenderit tam bene latentem.” Sed, dum glaebulas trudit et sursum aggerit, tumulus fit qui latentis operam indicat, et olitor advertit. Insidias in ipsis latebrae faucibus collocat et incautam capit. Aliqua via, malefici semper se produnt (source - and here's the easy version).

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Myths and Legends: Pygmalion and the Statue

Pygmalion and the Statue. To find out more about Pygmalion and his statue, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

This shows the famous moment when Pygmalion adores the statue he has sculpted, before she comes to life. This was naturally a subject favored by artists; here are some more Pygmalion images.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 11-17 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Myths & Legends: November 11-17

Nov. 4-10 - Nov. 11-17 - Nov. 18-24

For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Reference Page.

Achilles Fights Hector. To find out more about Achilles and Hector, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Mercury, Herse and Aglauros. To find out more about Herse and her sister Aglauros, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


Pygmalion and the Statue. To find out more about Pygmalion and his statue, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.



Penelope and the Suitors. To find out more about Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Venus and Mars Caught . To find out more about Hephaestus trapping the two lovers, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.


The Death of Dido. To find out more about Aeneas and Queen Dido, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Theseus and the Bull of Marathon. To find out more about the accomplishments of the hero Theseus, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source. There's also a post here.


Round-Up: November 11

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem tertium Idus Novembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is the little preposition IN - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: In libris libertas, "There is freedom in books."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Mus in Cervisia, a wonderful little story about a drunken mouse and a gullible cat.

MILLE FABULAE: FABLE OF THE DAY: The fable for today is Pulex et Pediculus, a story about a well-behaved louse and a badly-behaved flea. (You can also a free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book - and there's an English fable of the day, too.)

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Proverbs: Today's tiny proverb is: Cave lupum (English: Beware of the wolf).

3-Word Mottoes Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less motto is Ne quid nimis (English: Not anything in excess).

Latin Animal Proverb: Today's animal proverb is Non generant aquilae columbas (English: Eagles do not beget doves).

Proverbs of Polydorus: Today's proverb from Polydorus is: Homo ad laborem nascitur (English: Man is born to labor.).

Proper Name Proverb from Erasmus: Today's proper name proverb from Erasmus is Odium Vatinianum (English: Hatred as if for Vatinius; from Adagia 2.2.94; Vatinius, a politician of Republican Rome, and a proverbial object of hatred; you can read about him at Wikipedia - or at the Latin Vicipaedia).

Greek Proverb of the Day: Today's proverb is Καθ' ἑαυτοῦ Βελλεροφόντης (English: Bellerophon was his own enemy... an allusion to how Bellerophon unwittingly delivered the orders for his own execution).

For an image today, here is Bellerophon as shown in a mosaic from Palmyra in Syria (source):

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Myths and Legends: Heracles and the Centaur Nessus

Heracles and the Centaur Nessus. To find out more about Nessus and the death of Heracles, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

This illustration by Hans Sebald Beham shows Hercules slaying the centaur Nessus, who had kidnapped Hercules' wife Deianeira. Hercules used an arrow that had been dipped in the poisonous blood of the hydra. This action would come back to haunt Hercules and Deianeira; see the story of Deianeira and the cloak.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 4-10 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Round-Up: November 9

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem quintum Idus Novembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is SED - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Non sibi, sed bono publico, "Not for oneself but for the public good."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Culex et Apes , a fable about vocational education!

MILLE FABULAE: I keep adding new illustrated fables to the Mille Fabulae blog every day - and I added quite a few new fables in order to complete my new English Aesop widget this weekend. This is also where you can download your free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book.

ENGLISH FABLE OF THE DAY: Today's English fable is The Monkeys and the City, the story of the monkeys who want to imitate people, at their own peril. You can also read Latin version of the same story: Simiae et Urbs.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

Tiny Mottoes: Today's tiny motto is: Maiora sequor (English: I follow greater things).

3-Word Proverbs Verb-less: Today's 3-word verb-less proverb is In varietate voluptas (English: There is a pleasure in variety)

Audio Latin Proverb: Today's audio Latin proverb is Suam quisque pellem portat (English: Each carries his own skin). To read a brief essay about this proverb and to listen to the audio, visit the Latin Via Proverbs blog.

Maxims of Publilius Syrus: Today's proverb from Publilius Syrus is: Nil agere semper infelici est optimum (English: If you're unlucky, the best thing is always to do nothing).

Animal Proverb from Erasmus: Today's animal proverb from Erasmus is Asinus portans mysteria (English: The donkey carrying the icons; from Adagia 2.2.4).

Here's the Aesop's fable that tells the story of that Erasmus proverb: 249. Asinus Res Sacras Portans. Asinus quidam res sacras portabat, ratus sese venerari homines. Itaque erectus incedebat, tamquam sibi tus illud atque carmina acciperet. Cuius errorem cum mox vidit aliquis, “Mi asine,” inquit, “istam vanitatem tibi excute. Non te, sed istas res sacras caerimoniis colunt; isti divo haec religio debetur.” (source)

Asinus Sacra Portans

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Myths and Legends: The Origin of the Milky Way

The Origin of the Milky Way. To find out more about Heracles and the origin of the Milky Way, see this Wikipedia article: link; for information about the image: image source.

This is one of my favorite ancient myths! Hera had decided to destroy Heracles, the child of her husband, Zeus, by the mortal woman Alcmena. Zeus wanted his baby boy to suckle at the breast of a goddess so when Hera was asleep, he held the baby Heracles to her breast. When Hera suddenly awoke and saw that she was suckling an unknown baby, she thrust the baby aside and as her breast flew upwards, it scattered droplets of milk which became the Milky Way!

In another version of the story, Hera arranged for Heracles to be abandoned in the wilderness to die. As she was wandering in the wilderness later, she saw a beautiful baby. Captivated by his good looks, she picked up the baby and proceeded to nurse him. Athena approached Hera and asked her why on earth she was nursing the baby that she had wanted to destroy. Horrified at her mistake, Hera cast the baby Heracles aside and her breast flew upwards. spraying drops of milk everywhere.

You can also find more myths and legends for the week of November 4-10 here. For more information and links to the actual javascript code, see the Myths & Legends Widget Reference Page.

Widget: Aesop's Fable of the Day in English

This weekend I reworked my old Aesop's Fables Illustrated widget so that it is now an Aesop's Fable of the Day Illustrated, with 366 items, one for every day of the year, including leap years.

For each day, there is the complete text of the fable in English (before it was just a partial text), along with an illustration, 200 pixels in width. Links are provided both for the text source and the image source. I've tried to pick short fables so that the text does not make the widget too large.

It fits nicely in a Blogger.com sidebar that is set at 200 pixels, or you can insert the script into your own table set at 200 pixels in width, which is what I have done below (although that will only be visible at the blog itself; for those of you reading this post via email, you'll need to visit the blog to see the scripts in action). As with all the date-based widgets, you can also get a randomized version if you prefer!

For those of you who were already using this widget, you will see that it is automatically displaying with the new content, since the name of the script file remains unchanged from before. :-)

Here is the table of raw data if you are curious to see all the fables set out together on one page!


Date-Based Version

Here is the date-based javascript:

Here is the date-based script in action:





Random Version

Here is the random javascript:

Here is the random script in action:




(more widgets at SchoolhouseWidgets.com)


Round-Up: November 7

Here is a round-up of today's blog posts - and for previous posts, check out the Bestiaria Latina Blog archives. You can keep up with the latest posts by using the RSS feed, or you might prefer to subscribe by email. I'm Twittering again now at Aesopus and AesopusEnglish.

HODIE: ante diem septimum Idus Novembres (and yes, you can have your own Roman Google Calendar).

VERBUM HODIERNUM: Today's word is MAGNUS - read a brief essay about the word at the Verbosum blog. Here's one of the sayings you can find in the essay: Ex minimis initiis magna, "From very small beginnings, great things."

FABULAE FACILES: The new easy-to-read fable is Simiae Saltantes, the story of some easily distracted monkeys.

MILLE FABULAE: I keep adding new illustrated fables to the Mille Fabulae blog every day. This is also where you can download your free PDF copy of the Mille Fabulae et Una book. Check out the new fables every day at the English Aesop blog, too.

TODAY'S MOTTOES & PROVERBS: Widgets available at SchoolhouseWidgets.com.

3-Word Mottoes: Today's 3-word motto is Quae prosunt sequor (English: I pursue things that are useful).

3-Word Proverbs: Today's 3-word proverb is Graculus graculo assidet (English: One jackdaw stands by another - something like "birds of a feather flock together").

Rhyming Proverbs: Today's proverb with rhyme is: Deficit ambobus, qui vult servire duobus (English: Someone who wants to serve two masters fails them both).

Vulgate Verse: Today's verse is Futura tempora oblivione cuncta pariter obruent (Ecc. 2:16). For a translation, check out the polyglot Bible, in English, Hebrew, Latin and Greek, at the Sacred Texts Archive online.

Elizabethan Proverb Commentary: Here is today's proverb commentary, this time by Conybeare: Culicem colant, camelum deglutientes: They streigne a gnatte through there teeth, and swallowe downe a cammelll. An apt proverbe applied by oure saviour Christ unto the Phariseis, which did aggravate small offences and mayntayne great enormities. It maye be nowe used agaynst such persons as seke out and punishe small offenders, and leat the great trespassours agaynst the lawe goe quyte unpunished. Also them that are scrupulouse yn thinges of litle importaunce, and yn ambition, avarice, extorcion, advonterie, theft, murder, treason or heresie they fynde no daunger of conscience.

Today's Poem: Today's poem is from the rhyming couplets collected by Wegeler, with a word list at NoDictionaries.com:
Nec nimium taceas, nec verba superflua fundas:
Sed medium teneas, quo bene semper eas.
English: "Don't be overly silent, and don't spout unnecessary words, but rather keep to the middle way, where you will always go best."

Today's image is for the educational fable about the gnat and the bees: 698. Culex et Apes. Culex, hiberno tempore, cum fame et frigore se periturum coniiceret, ad apium accessit alvearia, ab eis cibum et hospitium petens. Quae si ab eis fuisset consecutus, promittebat filios earum se artem musicam edocturum. Tunc quaedam apes, “At ego artem meam malo liberi mei discant, quae eos a famis et frigoris periculo eximere poterit.” (source)

Culex et Apes