Ἐρρίφθω κύβος
let the die have been cast
Translated by Robert Dyer3 Mar 2002Vetting: high6 revisions
Translation
[none]
Greek original · Adler’s text
Ἐρρίφθω κύβος.
Betacode
*)erri/fqw ku/bos.
Notes
- (Entry lacking, Adler reports, in mss TFV, and a marginal addition in A.)
This is the imperative form of the proverb 'the die has been cast' (see alpha 2310, epsilon 695, kappa 2591; cf. kappa 2601, kappa 2602 and notes 5-7), and is used by Menander (fr. 65 Kock, 59 Koerte, now 64 Kassel-Austin = Arrhephoroi fr. 1) with the compound verba)nerri/fqw ; also, in the indicative, of a character who is "tossed as the final die" (apparently a reference to the last desperate action in the war game, Pente Grammai or Petteia; cf. pi 1384) in Aristophanes fr. 673 Kock = 929 K.-A. It is possible that the famous use of the phrase by Julius Caesar on crossing the Rubicon, as reported by Plutarch (Caesar 32.8 and Pompey 60.9), was truncated from the latter sense, implying a last final gamble.
Linked from9 entries
- α537Ἀδύνατα εἶναιto be impossiblesInstead of impossible. For often Thucydides has used plurals instead of singulars, especially for this expression. Impossible is that which is not capable of being true; such as, the earth flies. 'With the general…
- α1312Ἀλογιστίαthoughtlessness[sc. The term occurs] in Polybius. "More began to resist, with some of them saying that running risks and dicing with death was thoughtlessness, others that it was insanity." And again: "but the human race makes…
- α2310ἈνέρριπτονI was tossing in the air, they were tossing in the airI was/they were undertaking. Also [sc. attested is the phrase] "the die has been thrown"; in effect, has been put at risk. "So speak, as I have been tossed by you, your final throw of the die."
- ε695Ἐκκυβεύεινto gamble (everything) on dice[Meaning] to throw oneself into danger. "Thinking it, as the poet says, a ruse, he decided in no way to gamble (everything) on dice or to take a risk with his forces; he stayed quietly in camp." And elsewhere: "the…
- ε3344Ἔτυχονhit (the target), succeeded (through preparation) in obtaining, achieving or winning, met; coincided, happened (to hit), chanced[Used] with a genitive.
- κ1633Κίνδυνον ἀναρρίψαιto toss up dangerThey say [to toss up danger] using a metaphor from dice.
- κ2591Κυβεύεινto gamble with dice[Meaning] to throw a die, to leap forward into danger. "Not to risk gambling with one's life."
- κ2601Κύβονdie (in gambling)"The general being unable to toss such a high risk of war."
- κ2602Κύβοςcube (six-sided gambling die or a square face or pip (spot) on such a die)[Meaning] every square (?face). Kubos, [meaning] one which has a base from all around. Apollodorus [derives the word] from the bent-ness. For they used to say that the one bending on to his head formed a cube, made a…
Neighbouring entries
Revision history6 revisions · last 12 Feb 2016
- another note; coding and other cosmetics — David Whitehead
- another — David Whitehead
- updated a ref — David Whitehead
- more ketwords; cosmetics — David Whitehead
- Revised — David Whitehead
- internal rearrangement; cosmetics — David Whitehead
- Translated — Robert Dyer