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01:23 Dec 31, 2001 |
Latin to English translations [Non-PRO] Philosophy / philosophy | ||||
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| Selected response from: Sheila Hardie Spain Local time: 21:52 | |||
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Summary of answers provided | ||||
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5 +1 | Unsurpassable |
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4 +2 | nothing beyond it / no more beyond |
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4 | no more beyond |
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no more beyond Explanation: This is the literal meaning. The motto is political, however, and would depend on the contect in which you need it translated (coat of arms, etc.) |
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Unsurpassable Explanation: that´s it! |
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nothing beyond it / no more beyond Explanation: I agree with the two answers above. I just wanted to give you a few references, which talk about the supposed origin of this phrase. HTH Sheila NON PLUS ULTRA Non Plus Ultra (not further on), according to the tradition, was the sentence written on the so-called Pillars of Hercules ( the Pillars placed by Hercules in the present Straits of Gibraltar) to show that was humanly impossible to cross them warning all the sailors to abandon the impius undertaking. Later, Plus Ultra become one Carlo V's motto to proudly remember how large his kingdom was, even exceeding the traditional heart' s limits. Nowadays Non Plus Ultra usually means the top level people can in a given field. When we decided to realize this "Internet site", we felt Non Plus Ultra to be the best name showing our philosophy: TO OFFER THE BEST. http://www.nonplusultra.com/infoe.htm Some centuries later, Romans too, faithful to old traditions, called the Strait of Gibraltar <<Froetum Herculeum Gaditanum>>, and still considered the Pillars of Hercules to be the limit of the world, the <<Non Plus Ultra> or <<No Farther Away>> point. THE SPANISH DOLLAR Through the ages, Phoenicians and Greeks, Celts and Romans, Vikings and Portuguese, all had sailed beyond the Strait of Gibraltar up and down the Atlantic shores, but this was mostly coastline navigation. It wasn't until Columbus' discovery of the Americas, in 1492, that seafaring technology proved to be ripe enough for sailors to venture "safely" into the open ocean. The Italian navigator's feat shattered the ancient legend behind the Pillars of Hercules. From that time on, to leave mark of Columbus' heroic deed, and of the existence of Spanish territories beyond the Atlantic, Spain revised the old Latin motto <<Non Plus Ultra>>, and turned it into <<Plus Ultra>>, <<Farther Away>>. Thus, the two Pillars of Hercules with this revised inscription were embodied into the new Spanish coat of arms, of which they became a prominent and distinctive feature. http://www2.alcala.es/asi/amcana/DOLLAR.HTM "The story that it tells is of Spanish entrepreneurs venturing out into an unknown ocean because it was felt (due to Columbus’ early voyages) that there was “more beyond” (PLUS ULTRA). It brazenly displays the “two worlds”, the old and the new, capped by one Spanish Crown and riding on waves emanating from between the Pillars of Hercules (Straits of Gibraltar). This is a declaration that Spain claimed dominion over both worlds..." In mythology, Hercules reached the limits of the Mediterranean and raised two great columns upon which he inscribed Non Plus Ultra - as this was the supposed border of the known world. The Pillars of Hercules now refers to the twin mountains of Gibraltar and Mt. Acho. Below is an illustration of the old Spanish "Pillar Dollar" bearing the Twin Columns of Hercules & Twin Globes of the Old & New World. [back to the 7-11 Gibraltar Connection] http://www.mt.net/~watcher/dollarsign.html Non plus ultra! Nothing above that! http://www.geocities.com/latingreeksite/phrases/proverbs.htm |
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