Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Lost moments of history

One thing that is not generally known is that the Roman poet Ovid, after being exiled from Rome in the emperor's push to re-establish moral strength among the people, made his way somewhat north and east in to a sparsely populated, marshy area of "barbarians" who were to suffer greatly millenia later when Napoleon launched his invasion of Russia through this area. Sources in the region note that, when his plate of cabbage rolls was not delivered promptly, he insulted his hosts by saying

Dicent stolidi verba polska

Fortunately for Ovid, his hosts, distant ancestors of Rex Davidus, overlooked the slight (or didn't understand it) and gave him the following advice:

Don't go home to Rome by cruise ship.

Despite the best shipbuilding efforts of those who would later form the Hanseatic League, the ship Ovid had been considering of course sank in the Baltic. He made his way back to Rome (once his ban expired) by mini-chariot and lived his years out in peace.

And now, you know the rest of the story. Or you don't, 'cause I made it up. At any rate, that's my (rather pathetic) tribute to Paul Harvey. RIP.

6 comments:

Mark said...

Congrats! Googling your Latin phrase shows that it may be unique on the Web!

For what that's worth... ;^)

Bike Bubba said...

Oh my goodness...and if it were true, it would be the oldest Polish joke existing, I think. It means "Fools speak the Polish Language.", or more literally, "Fools speak Polish words."

(it's a twisting of Ovid's "Rident stolidi verba latina," or "fools mock the Latin Language," more literally "fools mock Latin words")

W.B. Picklesworth said...

Are you trying to say that your story isn't true? Cause I'm picking up that vibe.

Anonymous said...

Whoooooossssshhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

W.B. Picklesworth said...

:)

Bike Bubba said...

:^) I thought it was mildly amusing at least.