This is a photograph, taken by Richard Ellison, of the British historical novelist LINDSEY DAVIS.* creator of the informer (delator),
Marcus Didius Falco *
Both very kindly and generously have given me permission to print it here in our magazine. My thanks to you both.
Yes, I know that "popina" means "eating-house" but I reckon we can use it as our drop-in point for a drink, a bite to eat and a game or two.Don`t worry, nothing physical is involved but it does mean those little grey cells are going to have to work a bit. Don`t grumble; after all those hefty guys who took part in THE GAMES didn`t have much choice, did they? And I can`t believe any one of them reacted in a Woody - Allen - way as he faced his opponent in the amphitheatre! In any case, you are a captive audience, so sit, relax, and enjoy a few games.
A famous Latin anagram was an answer made out of a question asked by Pilate. The question was: "QUID EST VERITAS?" (What is the truth?), What was the answer?
Below are seven common Latin phrases...well, almost common. As you can see, there is an extra letter in each Latin phrase. Your job is to find a definition for the altered phrase, and itís not that hard since you don't have to pay any attention at all to declension, conjugation, or even what the Latin words might really mean. An example:
COGITO ERGO SUMO could be: ¨I think, therefore I am a wrestler."
Here are some others:
MEAN CULPA
PRO FORMAL
AD HOCK
BONA FIDEL
ANNOY DOMINI
SINE QUA NOON
The writer of the best definitions gets to edit the next issue of this magazine!
The palindromic "SATOR square" below dates back to Roman times. It is inscribed on a stone tablet outside Rome in Italy and is the earliest known 2D palindrome.
"SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS" means something like: "the sower Arepo works with the help of wheels" or "countryman Arepo runs a wheel shop"...
So, if you believe in Magic, copy out the square and carry it around with you. Just don`t blame us for the consequences!
A R E P O
T E N E T
O P E R A
R O T A S
I wrestle with wind, struggle with the sea.
I probe deep waters-I bite the earth.
---Symphosius 13
The answer to Pilate`s question::"EST VIR QUI ADEST"; It is the man who stands before you.
The answer to Symphosius`s puzzle :: An Anchor
The answer to Allie Mae`s puzzle; "To learn a new language is to acquire a new soul!"
If you solved all those, there`s a glass of wine : on the house.
* If you love Rome/Latin/ really enjoyable historical stories, then you will love Marcus Didius Falco . Read all about his creator and his adventures at her official site: Lindsey Davis Website
Page 10 ~ SNIPPETS