There are several one liners from contemporary Roman literature that I always remember; I was wondering what everyone else's might be?<br>
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from the TV version of I Claudius, Livia's inspirational speech:<br>
"You're all scum and you know it"<br>
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From one of JMR's SPQR series, a young woman to Decius:<br>
"Unlike my mother, *I* do not need a strophium"<br>
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<p></p><i></i>
There are a couple I like from the period itself, including several from Vespasian.<br>
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"Oh dear, I think I'm turning into a god." would have to be my fave.<br>
<br>
Cheers, <p>Tim O'Neill / Thiudareiks Flavius<br>
<br>
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Help create the film of Publius Quinctilius Varus' lost legions</p><i></i>
I'd have to agree, flavius. any man who'd kid around like that while on his deathbed has the kind of dry, intelligent wit that I truly enjoy. funny and sardonic.<br>
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<p></p><i></i>
my favorite :<br>
<br>
We are the Romans, resistance is futile!<br>
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gr, jeroen <p></p><i></i>
Charles Laughton as Nero in "Sign of the Cross": "The wine, the music, the delicious debauchery!"<br>
Not a one liner, but this exchange from "I Claudius":<br>
Claudius has just gone to Capri to inform Tiberius of a treasonous plot.<br>
Caligula: "Is there no loyal man in Rome to call upon?"<br>
Tiberius (to Claudius): "No, I don't know of any. Do you?"<br>
And later in the same scene when Caligula recommends Sutorius Macro:<br>
Tiberius: "Do you know this Macro well?"<br>
Caligula: "No, but I've slept with his wife several times." <p></p><i></i>
From a certain self important pompous blowhard<br>
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In the name of heaven Catiline, how long to you propose to exploit our patience! <p></p><i></i>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
" I'M SPARTACUS !"<br>
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<br>
<br>
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the Romans love it !! <p></p><i></i>
They're not from contemporary literature and I'm not sure if they count but I think Martial is pretty good when it comes to the sharp and succinct. These are a few I like:<br>
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"They're mine, but when a fool like you recites my poems I resign the author's rights."<br>
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"Hormus, it's thoughtful of you not stuck up, not to drink healths. Who'd risk sharing your cup?"<br>
<br>
"You drink the best, yet serve us third rate wine. I'd rather sniff your cup than swill from mine."<br>
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<p></p><i></i>
Scythius.... well done! <p><br>
Magnus/Matt<br>
Optio<br>
Legio XXX "Ulpia Victrix" </p><i></i>
Not from literature but you will have to go a long way to beat John Clease giving Brian a lesson in Latin ala English Public School style in Monty Pythons "The Life Of Brian" !!<br>
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From Shakespeare, the Tribune Marullus to commoners waiting in the street to see Caesar's triumph: "You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things!"<br>
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Wendy <p></p><i></i>
The best one liners are the shortest. Caesar produced one of the shortest: asked one evening at dinner how he would like to die, he answered:<br>
"By surprise".<br>
Apparently the Gods granted him his wish...<br>
I also like the one after the battle of Zela. The "Veni Vidi Vici" battle, against the king of Pontus Pharnaces: "Happy Pompey, exclaimed Caesar, these are the enemies for overcoming whom you were surnamed 'The Great'".<br>
How insolent can you get? <p></p><i></i>
Actually there was an interesting article in the Sunday Times about how Caesar actually commited the Roman equivalent of 'suicide by cop', so it was anyhting but a surprise.
www.sundaytimes.co.uk and check the magazine to find it (you might have to register) <p></p><i></i>
Yep, Catiline, you not only have to register but also to give info such as address, phone number, age and and so on and I don't like that attitude.<br>
So maybe you can share with us what the article says about the Divine Julius' untimely death? <p></p><i></i>