Hello,
I do research on historic maps and I've recently come across a Latin motto on an eighteenth-century map of Sicily. I have an OK grasp of Latin but I am not 100% confident in my translation of the motto.
The full motto reads: "Ne time at (/timeat - it's unclear whether there is a space in between the 'e' and the 'a') Scyllam cupiens vitare Caribdim, Victor erit, temnens, semper utrumque metum". I've attached an image so you can decide for yourselves.
I translated this as: "Do not be afraid of Scylla even when desiring to avoid Carybdis, for he will always be the victor who spurns fear of either".
If anyone wants to take a crack at translating this or point out where I have gone wrong that would be great. Thanks.
I also see the motto is playing on Virgil's phrase to include a reference to the king at the time who was Victor Amadeus II of Savoy.
I do research on historic maps and I've recently come across a Latin motto on an eighteenth-century map of Sicily. I have an OK grasp of Latin but I am not 100% confident in my translation of the motto.
The full motto reads: "Ne time at (/timeat - it's unclear whether there is a space in between the 'e' and the 'a') Scyllam cupiens vitare Caribdim, Victor erit, temnens, semper utrumque metum". I've attached an image so you can decide for yourselves.
I translated this as: "Do not be afraid of Scylla even when desiring to avoid Carybdis, for he will always be the victor who spurns fear of either".
If anyone wants to take a crack at translating this or point out where I have gone wrong that would be great. Thanks.
I also see the motto is playing on Virgil's phrase to include a reference to the king at the time who was Victor Amadeus II of Savoy.