Dec 28, 2012 10:15
11 yrs ago
Latin term
INTI DOMNNI
Latin to English
Art/Literary
Other
inscription in a sword
Is there anybody who can help me translate and understand the meaning of the words "INTI DOMNNI" in a blade. I found similar inscriptions in other swords ("IN TE DOMINE SPERAVI", for example), but I do not understand this one. The sword is a Venetian schiavonna from the 18th century.
You can see these words in this link (3rd picture)
http://www.icollector.com/Venetian-Schiavona-Basket-Hilt-Swo...
Thanks in advance for your help.
You can see these words in this link (3rd picture)
http://www.icollector.com/Venetian-Schiavona-Basket-Hilt-Swo...
Thanks in advance for your help.
Proposed translations
(English)
3 | most serene Lord's | Joseph Brazauskas |
Proposed translations
6 hrs
Selected
most serene Lord's
If I am right that INTI is an abbreviation, which are frequent on inscribed objects from antiquity to modern times, it may well stand for 'intimi', 'inmost, nearest', and so 'dearest, most high, most serene' Cf. Lewis & Short s.v. 'intimus'. DOMNNI is almost certainly a misspelling for DOMINI. To judge from the description of the sword, used by a mercenary bodyguard of the Venetian Doge, on the webpage referenced by the asker as being of Eastern European, apparently Byzantine, origin this inscription seems to mean, more colloquially put, '(My) Serenere Lord's (Property, Gift, etc.)'.
Peer comment(s):
neutral |
Péter Jutai
: Why is the word "intimus" in plural? Or is it in genitive?
4 days
|
I construe it as genitive. I do not say that I'm certain of my interpretation.
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for the great explanation"
Discussion
http://www.digitaltmuseum.se/things/vrja/S-AM/AM.060586