Loading Screen Mistake

**Imperator** · 09-01-2007, 19:05

I noticed on one of the loading screens is Caesar's famous remark as he crossed the Rubicon, "alea iacta est". It is translated as "Let the dice fly high". Not only did Caesar actually say it in Greek (according to our source, Plutarch) but even had he said that in Latin, the translation isn't right. It just means "the die is cast". There's no "dice" since it's singular, and I don't know where "let...high" comes from since there's no trace of the word "high" and it's not subjunctive. Besides, iacere doesn't mean to fly but to throw.

I know it's a super-small quibble, but it would do my OCD-ridden heart good to have that minor error fixed eventually. Sorry if I appear to be splitting hairs- but it seems shameful for a mod as accurate as EB to be burdened by silly errors like that slipping through the cracks.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 09-01-2007, 21:34

"The Die is cast" means something completely different in English, however.

Die = Mould

Cast = Set

I.e. colloquially it means "The paths is set/There's no turning back" While that is a totally appropriate remark when crossing the Rubicon it's not what Caesar said

The literally translation is "The gamble thrown is" or more colloquially "The gamble is made/the die has been thrown."

"The die is cast" is no longer an appropriate rendering into English, while "Let the dice fly high" is not a literal translation it preserves both the sense and meaning of the remark where "The die is cast" does not. The translation is unacceptably ambiguous.

Welcome to the problems of translation, it has been said that every translation should be overhauled at least every fifty years, if you want an extreme example of why that is so you need only turn to the King James Bible.

Many traditional translations of classical texts are no longer satisfactory and to be honest many never were.

**hoom** · 09-01-2007, 23:14

Colloquially it has the double meaning in English specifically because Caesar said it.
It was a gamble to cross the Rubicon and having done so, he had to continue with his intent to march on Rome.

**Philippus Flavius Homovallumus** · 09-01-2007, 23:32

Originally Posted by hoom

Colloquially it has the double meaning in English specifically because Caesar said it.
It was a gamble to cross the Rubicon and having done so, he had to continue with his intent to march on Rome.

Perhaps, though the ambiguity has more to do with the fact that English has shifted, die is hardly ever used now to represent the gaming piece.

In any case it's an unacceptable translation because there was no ambiguity in the origninal Latin.

**EdwardL** · 09-01-2007, 23:45

"Let the dice fly high"

Yes, it doesnt sound as though it pertains to fate.

I rather get the feeling that im going to the casino with Caesar.

Maybe he'll hit jackpot and make it rain on some ho's

**KuKulzA** · 09-02-2007, 02:41

Originally Posted by EdwardL

"Let the dice fly high"

Yes, it doesnt sound as though it pertains to fate.

I rather get the feeling that im going to the casino with Caesar.

Maybe he'll hit jackpot and make it rain on some ho's

I heard he was a whore-monger...

a soldier, pimp, and conquerer... ridin' down mofos in Gaul... yeah Julius!