Diploma for a new graduate refers to the state as "Republica" but the US as "reiquepublicae" Distinction in Latin?
RJA
June 05, 2014, 18:12
Geoff
Graduate from what institutions? The lowly public institution from which I graduated has done away completely with Latin. Originally its motto was, "Doctrina urbi serviat;" now it's plain old English, "Let knowledge serve the city." It seems Latin does not serve the city of Portland, Oregon.
June 05, 2014, 19:09
Robert Arvanitis
Daughter just graduated BU Law.
Near the top the diploma refers to "Republica" of Massachusetts.
Towards the bottom it cites "Reiquepublicae" of America.
Wondered if there's a distinction.
RJA
June 05, 2014, 19:51
<Proofreader>
quote:
Near the top the diploma refers to "Republica" of Massachusetts.Towards the bottom it cites "Reiquepublicae" of America.
The diplomas were bought at a discount due to typos.
June 05, 2014, 20:26
Kalleh
Interesting, Robert, and congratulations to your daughter!
When I look up Reiquepublicae in Google scholar, it just translates it as Reiquepublicae. Maybe our Latin scholar, arnie, will know?
June 05, 2014, 21:48
BobHale
It's just a guess but I'd say they are trying to indicate singular for Massachusetts and plural (i.e. all the states) for America.
"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
June 06, 2014, 16:30
Geoff
But why not Res Publica instead of Republica?
June 06, 2014, 17:37
goofy
What is the whole Latin phrase?
June 06, 2014, 18:01
Robert Arvanitis
In Republica Massachusettensi Senatus et Curatores Omnibus Ad Quo Hae Litterae Pervenerint Salutem in Domino Semptiernam...
Then
Datum ex aedibus Universitatis Die XVIII Mensis Maii Anno Salutis nostrae MMXIV Reiquepublicae Americanae CCXXXVIII
RJA
June 06, 2014, 18:26
<Proofreader>
quote:
In Republica Massachusettensi Senatus et Curatores Omnibus Ad Quo Hae Litterae Pervenerint Salutem in Domino Semptiernam...ThenDatum ex aedibus Universitatis Die XVIII Mensis Maii Anno Salutis nostrae MMXIV Reiquepublicae Americanae CCXXXVIII
I think that's from a Harry Potter novel.
June 06, 2014, 19:45
goofy
I think "reiquepublucae" is the genitive of "resquepublica", a suffixed form of "respublica" ("public matter"), an older form of "republica".
"que" is "and". So "Anno Salutis nostrae MMXIV Reiquepublicae Americanae CCXXXVIII" is "in the year of our prosperty 2014 and of the American republic 238"This message has been edited. Last edited by: goofy,