spurius ex orichalco
| 13:59 Mar 31, 2008 |
| Latin to English translations [PRO] Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting / inscription/statue | |||||||
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| 5 +1 | a fake (made) from mountain-copper |
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| 3 | brass copy / false |
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| 3 | literally: illegitimate (child) made of/from brass |
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| 2 | orichalcum child |
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Answers
20 mins confidence: 
orichalcum child Explanation: spurius = illegitimate child http://membres.lycos.fr/hbarnich/debut.htm |
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2 hrs confidence:
brass copy / false Explanation: Since "spurius" means also "fake / false". it may mean it's a brass copy of the original statue. |
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2 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
peer agreement (net): +1a fake (made) from mountain-copper Explanation: 'Orichalcus', sometimes misspelt 'aurichalcum' from a false etymological association with Latin 'aurum', 'gold', derives from Greek 'oreikkalkos' and means (1) copper mined in the mountains, (2) any yellow copper ore, or (3) brass made from this ore. There was also another variety, called 'album' or 'white' by Virgil (Aeneis, 12.87) and described by Theopompus (Historiai, 1c9) as a blend of 'pseudargyros' ('fake silver') and 'chalkos' ('copper'). Plautus (Curculio, 1.3.46, Miles Gloriosus, 3.1.61, Pseudolus, 2.3.22) and Pliny the Elder (34.2.2 § 4) inform us that it was a substance greatly prized by the ancients. It was used by the Romans to make such things as valuable armaments (Statius, Thebais, 10.660) and even a (military) tuba (Valerius Flaccus, Argonautica, 3.61). Callimachus (Lavatio Palladis, 19) mentions a mirror made out of it. 'Spurius', which is used substantively, not adjectivally, properly means 'bastard, illegitimate child' but is here metaphorically employed of any fake or fraud passed off as something genuine. |
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1 hr confidence:
literally: illegitimate (child) made of/from brass Explanation: Perhaps an allusion to the fact that brass is not a pure metal? -------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 day4 hrs (2008-04-01 18:53:37 GMT) -------------------------------------------------- The statue must be rare as no image can be found. Lots of references to butterbox babies but none referring to the above inscription. |
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