What does "Alea jacta est" mean

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

We all know that Latin is a dead language that became the starting point for a whole group of languages that are still in use today. Of course, its live use is definitely out of the question, unlike certain environments.

As far as Latin is a dead language

Medicine can be called the real modern abode of Latin - after all, it was it that was used to create the entire conceptual apparatus of this science. Pharmacology, which is adjacent to it, does not lag behind in this respect.

The basic principles of this language, as already mentioned, served as the basis for modern Italian, Spanish and even to some extent German, no matter how difficult it may be to believe.

Revival of popularity

As they say, everything new is a well-forgotten old, and the Latin language, or rather its phraseology, is one of the best confirmations of this. Expressions characteristic of the vocabulary of the ancient Romans are now becoming increasingly popular in literature, cinema and, oddly enough, tattoo culture.

Perhaps, it is the Latin lines that are currently the most common body decoration option, which is quite understandable,given their melodiousness and in most cases deep meaning.

Expressions like “Alea jacta est” are especially in demand among young people who decide to get a tattoo that has real meaning and expresses the worldview in the best way. The only problem is that sometimes people decide to take such actions without really having an idea of what exactly they have to deal with.

On the meaning of a popular expression

It is about the phrase “Alea jacta est”, as one of the most popular options for tattoos, that will be discussed in this article. If we translate the expression literally, in the Russian version the shade of fatalism inherent in the phrase as a whole will be especially obvious. “The die is cast” - this is how you can translate the expression so common today, which is not so rare to be found on someone's wrist or, for example, neck.

Such attention to the aphorism is not at all surprising, because, in addition to the deep meaning as such, it also has a very distinct shade of history, because the legend of one of the most legendary rulers in history is associated with its origin.

Who cast lots

The roots of the expression "Alea jacta est" go back to ancient Rome, when Gaius Julius Caesar made his most phenomenal conquests. According to legend, it is this ruler who authored the phrase that has received such active use in modern times.

According to the surviving evidence, the great Roman said exactly this,crossing the Rubicon River on the Apennine Peninsula. He did it for a reason - after all, at that moment the fate of many thousands of people and vast territories depended on his decision. The sacramental “Alea jacta est” at that moment became a kind of signal for the beginning of one of the greatest civil wars in history.

These words were even more important due to the monstrously unequal forces that existed at that time. Crossing the Rubicon, Caesar did not have a powerful enough army to easily conquer the necessary territories. Nevertheless, the die was cast, the war began, and the strategic thinking of the great commander bore fruit.

A modern touch of fatalism

Now that we have learned how “Alea jacta est” is translated, let's look at the modern understanding of this expression. If initially it had a rather post-factum meaning, determining the further development of events, then in the mind of a modern person it is more of an incentive to action.

“Alea jacta est” - a tattoo, usually designed to make it easier for people to make a choice. It should encourage one or another development of events, removing some of the responsibility from a person.

Perhaps this was the main reason why the expression “Alea jacta est”, which is also quite melodious, has become so popular in modern times.

Reflection in the gaming industry

It is quite natural that an expression with such a rich history could not be ignoredthe gaming industry. Today, the “Alea jacta est” strategy is quite popular - a game, the essence of which is the correct alignment of forces to conquer the maximum territory.

The strategy is turn-based, which means that the opponents perform actions in turn, and after the completion of the turn, it is impossible to take any measures. In this case, the basic principle is borrowed precisely from the historical situation described earlier in this article and which gave rise to the expression in question.

Another characteristic feature of this game is the need to calculate moves a few steps ahead, as it would be in real combat. Perhaps it is this realism and features of the map, some of the nuances of performing actions that have become the reason for the increased popularity of this game among today's youth.

But one thing is certain - major events, significant milestones in history never become forgotten. They are sure to find a subsequent reflection, sometimes in the most unpredictable ways. Films, series and games are made about famous battles, ancient stories form the basis of modern literature, and catch phrases sometimes acquire the status of not only slogans of major world brands, but also a life credo for thousands of people interested in the cultural and historical development of mankind. The main thing is that such values are not forgotten and do not lose their significance.