A literal translation of "imperatoria virtus" would be "imperial
virtue." However, the Roman concept of "virtus" embodies qualities of
courage and manliness which are not typically present in the modern
use of the English word "virtue." "Imperatoria" can be a broad term
referring to a leader (such as a military commander or general) who is
not necessarily the one and only Emperor.
"The Latin word virtus literally means 'manliness,' from vir, 'man' in
the masculine sense; and referred originally to masculine, warlike
virtues such as courage."
Wikipedia: Virtue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue
"One of the principal cultural values in Rome was virtus, which is
derived from the Latin word vir, or 'man.' Virtus , then, means
something like 'manliness.' Unlike the Greek value areté, which means
'being the best one can be,' virtus stresses strength, toughness,
simplicity, and bearing up under adversity."
World Civilizations Glossary: Virtus
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GLOSSARY/VIRTUS.HTM
"Historically virtue - or in its Roman guise, virtus - invokes the
concept of man in terms that are physical. On one hand, virtus has
been measured as manly strength: Hercules was its Renaissance ideal.1
On the other hand, virtus has been understood in terms not of sheer
physical power but of mastery over the body, especially under
conditions of extreme mental stress."
Poroi: Word Tour
http://inpress.lib.uiowa.edu/poroi/papers/valentino030816.html
"This refers to an old custom of the Roman republic, the 'acclamatio
imperatoria', in which a victorious general was acclaimed 'imperator'
by the legions."
Forvm Ancient Coins: Classical Numismatics Discussion Board
http://www.forumancientcoins.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=443&page=5
"The Latin word imperator was a title originally roughly equivalent to
commander during the period of the Roman Republic. It later went on to
become a part of the titulature of the Roman emperors and to enter
European political vocabulary as a synonym for emperor."
Wikipedia: Imperator
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperator
Given all these shades of meaning, I think the best English equivalent
to "imperatoria virtus" would be "imperial valor." The modern
expression of military heroism, "courage under fire," is a similar
concept.
My Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: imperatoria latin
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=imperatoria+latin
Google Web Search: virtus latin
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=virtus+latin
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
