Volventibus annis
“As the years roll on.”
Virgil, Aeneid 1.234
What does “Volventibus annis” mean?
Volventibus annis translates as “As the years roll on.”
With time, things change and promises come true. It is a calm reminder that patience brings results.
“Volventibus annis” word by word
| Latin | English | Grammar |
|---|---|---|
| Volventibus | as they roll, while they turn | ablative plural (participle) of volvens, from volvo, “I roll, turn over”; present active participle, agreeing with annis |
| annis | years | ablative plural of annus, “year”; together the two words form an ablative absolute: “the years rolling” |
How to pronounce “Volventibus annis”
Classical has w for v and a short i in -tibus; Church Latin has a soft v and a long ee sound. The stress falls on the second syllable of volventibus and the first of annis in both.
The story behind it
Word for word the phrase says “with the years rolling”. It is an ablative absolute, a Latin construction that sets the scene with a participle and a noun, which English renders as “as the years roll on”.
The words come from Virgil’s Aeneid, book 1, line 234. Venus, worried about the fate of her son Aeneas and the Trojans, reminds Jupiter of his promise that the Romans would one day rule the world as the years rolled on.
The Aeneid was the national epic of Rome, written under Augustus in the first century BC. Today the phrase is borrowed for anything that unfolds slowly, whether a promise, a plan or a change of fortune.
How to use “Volventibus annis”
A fitting tattoo, card message or motto for anyone marking the passing of time, such as an anniversary, a milestone birthday or a long-awaited goal. It also suits an essay on patience or fate.
- Latin
- Volventibus annis
- English
- As the years roll on.
- Source
- Virgil, Aeneid 1.234
- Era
- Classical
- Theme
- Time
Common mistakes
- It describes time turning over, not a one-off event. It does not mean “after many years”.
- The ending -ibus belongs to the ablative plural. Do not shorten it to volvens annis, which would change the grammar.
- Volventibus annis is not a standalone sentence in Virgil. It is a phrase attached to a longer line about Jupiter’s promise.
Questions about “Volventibus annis”
What does “Volventibus annis” mean literally?
“With the years rolling.” English usually renders it as “as the years roll on” or “as the years go by”.
Who said “Volventibus annis”?
It comes from Virgil’s Aeneid, book 1, line 234, where Venus reminds Jupiter of his promise to the Romans.
How do you pronounce “Volventibus annis”?
In Classical Latin: wol-WEN-tih-bus AN-nees. In Church Latin: vol-VEN-tee-boos AN-nees.
Is “Volventibus annis” correct Latin for a tattoo?
Yes, it is correct and taken directly from Virgil. It is an ablative absolute meaning “as the years roll on”.
More to explore
Translation and grammar checked by Latin Quoter · last reviewed November 2026
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