Re: Chariots of da Gods?!!
Michael L. Siemon (mls@panix.com)
Wed, 02 Oct 1996 17:43:23 -0400
In article <CfpEJCAlikUyEwQc@moonrake.demon.co.uk>, "Alan M. Dunsmuir"
<alan@moonrake.demon.co.uk> wrote:
+I think that should be 'Jupiter', not 'Deus'.
_Deus_ in Latin, like _theos_ in Greek can stand for any god. Not
uncommonly in situations like this Jupiter or Zeus would be
"understood" as the reference. However, assuming (as I do!)
that you are correct about the latter-day origins of the Latin,
then Jupiter is almost certainly *not* intended. (And as some-
one else pointed out, the proverb in Latin and English -- as in
the Greek you posted -- is generally seen with a plural subject.
Or perhaps your citation deserves to be answered by Herakleitos:
_hen to sophon mounon legesthai ouk ethelei
kai ethelei Ze:nos onoma.
("One thing, the only truly wise, does not
and does consent to be called by the name of Zeus.")
:-)
--
Michael L. Siemon mls@panix.com
"sempiternal, though sodden towards sundown."
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