tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102575523598688275.post8790944696771531244..comments2023-10-15T00:58:16.048-07:00Comments on Sarcastic Sam: Caesar Crossed The RubiconSamuel_Clemonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186197312073797483noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102575523598688275.post-44180566532842126472011-06-11T10:59:27.236-07:002011-06-11T10:59:27.236-07:00ah yes, the parsing of the Latin: a bit of contro...ah yes, the parsing of the Latin: a bit of controversy as the word iacta is in the nominative singular tense, which meant the actual phrase must have been “The dice is cast,” which, while more accurate, doesn't quite roll off the tongue as well as the mistaken translation, attributed by Suetonius (as iacta alea est [ˈjakta ˈaːlea est]). The phrase is still used today to mean that events have passed a point of no return, that something inevitable will happen. Caesar was said to have borrowed the phrase from Menander, his favorite Greek writer of comedy; the phrase appears in “Ἀρρηφόρος” (Arrephoros,) (or possibly “The Flute-Girl”), as quoted in Deipnosophistae, Book 13, paragraph 8.<br /><br /> Ἑλληνιστὶ πρὸς τοὺς παρόντας ἐκβοήσας, «Ἀνερρίφθω κύβος», [anerriphtho kybos] διεβίβαζε τὸν στρατόν.<br /><br />He [Caesar] declared in Greek with loud voice to those who were present 'Let the die be cast' and led the army across.<br /><br />– Plutarch, Life of Pompey, 60.2.9<br /><br /> It is generally assumed, e.g. by Shakespeare, that Caesar here meant, "The die has been cast"; i.e., "The die is now cast", and not, "The die was cast."<br /><br /> In a more modern use in case some readers don't like such ancient history, there is a Star Trek Episode so named: The Die is Cast from the TV Series Deep Space Nine. <br /><br /> In any event, My Twitter Attorney, the course of history was changed. When Caesar crossed the Rubicon, the semi democratic Republic of Rome was changed to an Empire as a civil war was fought. All Emperors thereafter were given the tag Caesar and vested with great powers unlike anything given any of it's leaders before Caesar.Samuel_Clemonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10186197312073797483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102575523598688275.post-32883396699908895042011-06-11T09:54:22.353-07:002011-06-11T09:54:22.353-07:00Lmao! No worries, Sammy. There can be no ferret cu...Lmao! No worries, Sammy. There can be no ferret cuter than you. I don't even have to see this Polar Bear wannabe. I mean, he must have some kind of lame ego to pump himself up by pretending to be a polar bear. Sheesh! I'm in your corner all the way.<br /><br />Btw, I'd always heard that Caesar said, "Let the dice fly." Interesting.Piper Bayardhttp://piperbayard.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102575523598688275.post-10051826170969404952011-06-11T04:54:27.288-07:002011-06-11T04:54:27.288-07:00My apologies...I have just been informed that this...My apologies...I have just been informed that this Polar Bear is actually the name of a ferret. This changes some things, but not everything - the eye exam is still a priority.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6102575523598688275.post-80635756234307591542011-06-11T04:41:52.207-07:002011-06-11T04:41:52.207-07:00It's obvious that this @MorgansDead is in need...It's obvious that this @MorgansDead is in need of a prompt eye exam...and a bit of exposure to The Animal Planet. My dear MorgansDead, the polar bear may seem "cute", while you're trying to figure out a way to break the ice for a good snuggling, he's sizing you up for dinner...or breakfast if you're visiting early, perhaps even brunch, but which actual meal void you'll fulfill for him isn't important. What is important is that you'll never be able to snuggle that polar bear. And the only dancing you'll do with him will be the flailing you find yourself doing at the end of his claws. By the way, his paws are larger than your head.<br /><br />Bottom line, if you can't snuggle it, it ain't cuter than you, Sam...Oh yes Sam, you ARE right! The die most certainly has been cast...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com