Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead

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Offline nephilese

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
on: 22 Jul, 2005, 18:55:57
Ancient Greek polytonic: Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς
Ancient Greek monotonic: Ή ταν ή επί τας
Capitals: Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ
Literal Translation: Either with this or on this
Translation: Come back victorious or dead

(Plutarch, Moralia 241)
« Last Edit: 01 Oct, 2018, 19:59:51 by spiros »

Offline Marisa_R_C

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #1 on: 22 Jul, 2005, 20:54:22
"H ταν ή επί τας" = Either this or on this

A phrase told to young Spartan warriors by their mothers, "this" referring to their shield, roughly meaning "either bring your shield back or I would rather they brought you (lying) dead on it".

A cheerful farewell to arms, wouldn't you say?
« Last Edit: 27 Nov, 2005, 13:43:16 by nickel »

Offline banned8

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #2 on: 22 Jul, 2005, 23:13:42
A brief English version that has been suggested is "Come back victorious or dead".
« Last Edit: 27 Nov, 2005, 13:43:34 by nickel »

Offline derousseau

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #3 on: 02 Mar, 2007, 08:11:56
I would like this translated if anyone can

Offline banned13

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #4 on: 02 Mar, 2007, 08:22:34
ή τάν ή επί τάς

or in capital letters
Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ

It has already been answered here:
https://www.translatum.gr/forum/index.php?topic=925.msg3744#msg3744
« Last Edit: 02 Mar, 2007, 08:25:23 by alexandra_k »

Offline schell51

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #5 on: 28 May, 2007, 07:21:16
Hey I'm trying to get the ancient greek translation for the quote "Come back with this shield or on it"  If someone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it!!!
« Last Edit: 28 May, 2007, 08:12:38 by wings »

Offline YanniRC

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #6 on: 09 Dec, 2008, 22:22:07
I am getting deployed to Afghanistan and was wondering what this is like in CAPS so I can get it tattooed before I leave. Is there a gramatically right way and wrong way whether I use all CAPS or not in Ancient Greek or just personal preference. How would you translate this to English in your own words; it is in fact the Spartan saying of the mothers correct? Thanks alot, great site!

Yanni Celestial

Offline spiros

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #7 on: 09 Dec, 2008, 22:29:17
16. Ἄλλη προσαναδιδοῦσα τῷ παιδὶ τὴν ἀσπίδα καὶ παρακελευομένη· "τέκνον" ἔφη, "ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς."
https://el.wikisource.org/wiki/%CE%9B%CE%B1%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%8E%CE%BD_%CE%91%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%86%CE%B8%CE%AD%CE%B3%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1
« Last Edit: 01 Oct, 2018, 19:59:01 by spiros »

Offline vmelas

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #8 on: 09 Dec, 2008, 22:32:45
Quote from: YanniRC on 09 Dec, 2008, 22:22:07
I am getting deployed to Afghanistan and was wondering what this is like in CAPS so I can get it tattooed before I leave. Is there a gramatically right way and wrong way whether I use all CAPS or not in Ancient Greek or just personal preference. How would you translate this to English in your own words; it is in fact the Spartan saying of the mothers correct? Thanks alot, great site!

Yanni Celestial

Hello! Stay safe in Afghanistan (Hubby just got out of the army so I feel you). What unit are you with? How long is your deployment for? (The explanation has already been given, just read the thread) :)

Offline vbd.

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #9 on: 09 Dec, 2008, 22:41:43
Hi. Yes, this is what a mother would say when sending her son to war. She'd give him the shield and say "either this one, or on it". A loose translation would be "Either bring back your shield, or may your dead body return to me on it". It shows to what extent fleeing was unacceptable in this Spartan society. Upper or lower case is not a matter of grammar in ancient Greek. People in ancient Greece used to write in upper case only. The lower case letters is a later invention. Both are equally correct and acceptable.

Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ
At last, I have peace.

Offline YanniRC

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #10 on: 09 Dec, 2008, 23:17:06
That was quick, thank you all for all the fast and informative answers everyone. Best wishes to you and your family Valentini. Im in the ARMY 1397th DDSB, cant give an exact day count of our deployment on here, but is definitely over a year! Hopefully things with India settle down so I dont get extended. Again thanks.

Offline vmelas

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #11 on: 10 Dec, 2008, 00:08:15
Quote from: YanniRC on 09 Dec, 2008, 23:17:06
That was quick, thank you all for all the fast and informative answers everyone. Best wishes to you and your family Valentini. Im in the ARMY 1397th DDSB, cant give an exact day count of our deployment on here, but is definitely over a year! Hopefully things with India settle down so I dont get extended. Again thanks.


You are from California? Transportation/port management ? :)

Hubby's a ranger medic with the 173rd (airborne).
« Last Edit: 12 Dec, 2008, 22:03:29 by billberg23 »

Offline YanniRC

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #12 on: 11 Dec, 2008, 01:33:31
Yes...howd you know...lol...Ranger medic ey, now thats some good training. Its so sad whats going on in Greece!
« Last Edit: 12 Dec, 2008, 22:04:20 by billberg23 »

Offline vmelas

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Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς (Plutarch, Moralia 241; modern monotonic: ή ταν ή επί τας) -> either with this or on this, come back victorious or dead
Reply #13 on: 11 Dec, 2008, 09:25:25
Quote from: YanniRC on 11 Dec, 2008, 01:33:31
Yes...howd you know...lol...Ranger medic ey, now thats some good training. Its so sad whats going on in Greece!

Once in the Army my friend, always in the Army. Hubby keeps tabs on deployments so all I had to do was turn around and asK "Hey, where does the 1397th come from? What do they do?" LOL

Keep in touch Yanni. I am not sure how well "cabled" you will be over there but once in a while drop by a leave us a line.
« Last Edit: 12 Dec, 2008, 22:05:36 by billberg23 »

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