Marcus Valerius Martialis
1st-2nd c. AD (over 1,900 years ago)
Trans. RMBullard
Latin (Silver Age)
Belliger inuictis quod Mars tibi seruit in armis,
[Whatever warmongering Mars keeps secures through your arms,]
non satis est, Caesar, seruit et ipsa Venus.
[it is not enough, Caesar, as what Venus herself secures.]
VIb
Prostratum uasta Nemees in ualle leonem
nobile et Herculeum fama canebat opus.
[Fame used to sing about the leon that was slain the vast valley of Nemea and Hercules' noble deed.]
Prisca fides taceat:
[Let old belief now shut its trap:]
nam post tua munera, Caesar,
hoc iam femineo Marte fatemur agi.
[you see, Caesar, after your munificent deeds, I can confess that this deed was done by some female version of Mars.]
