Greek original · Courage
Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς
Ē tan ē epi tas
“Either with it or on it.”
Saying of Spartan mothers, as reported by Plutarch (Sayings of Spartan Women)
Meaning
What does “Ē tan ē epi tas” mean?
Come back victorious with your shield, or dead upon it – but never having thrown it away to flee.
Origin
The story behind it
Plutarch records that a Spartan mother handed her son his shield with these words. Throwing away the heavy shield to run was the ultimate disgrace.
Greek and Latin
From Greek to Latin
The Greek originalἪ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς
Ē tan ē epi tas
The Latin versionAut cum scuto aut in scuto
The Latin rendering is aut cum scuto aut in scuto.
Pronunciation
How to say it
Roughly AY TAN AY eh-PEE TAS.
When to use it
How to use it today
A tough motto for sports teams, soldiers and anyone facing a decisive challenge.
- Greek
- Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς
- Transliteration
- Ē tan ē epi tas
- English
- Either with it or on it.
- Latin
- Aut cum scuto aut in scuto
- Source
- Saying of Spartan mothers, as reported by Plutarch (Sayings of Spartan Women)
One Latin line. Every Monday.
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