On Latin phrases and the plural of casus belli

[Cerberus™]

If you have any questions about Latin phrases or would like to make one up for your mod, I will answer any questions you may have. I have studied the classics for 12 years and am now writing my master's thesis on a Latin subject.

For starters, the plural of casus belli is casus belli.
Casus, plural casus: case, opportunity
Belli (genitive): of war

Since belli is here a common noun, it doesn't change either; the plural of casus is casus.

nom. casus pl. casus
gen. casus pl. casuum
dat. casui pl. casibus
acc. casum pl. casus
abl. casu  pl. casibus

 

[Zenith Darksea]

Hurrah, someone who can tell a fourth-declension noun from a second-declension noun!

 

[Junuxx]

I don't have the basic knowledge of Latin to figure this out, but I do have a question.

Is there a difference between 'causes for war' and 'a cause for wars', in Latin?

 

[ZappyVlaams]

I have the basic knowledge of Latin to figure this out, but I do have a question.

Is there a difference between 'causes for war' and 'a cause for wars', in Latin?

Casus belli, casus bellorum.

 

[Mannisks]

A Latin student myself, I unanimously support this thread.

 

[George LeS]

I remembered that casus was 4th, but I was completely taken in by "bellorum".

But then, it has been 30 years...

 

[Junuxx]

I unanimously support this thread

It would be cause for concern if you weren't unanimous, don't you think?

 

[Morgothal]

It would be cause for concern if you weren't unanimous, don't you think?

:rofl::rofl: who knows he could been a schizophrenic and the other personality might not support it

 

[Mannisks]

Well, it would've worked in Latin at least.

 

[Cerberus™]

I have the basic knowledge of Latin to figure this out, but I do have a question.

Is there a difference between 'causes for war' and 'a cause for wars', in Latin?

Mannisks, brotha! Your use of "unanimously" might be odd even in Latin, but you are at least supported by a line of Virgil's I found, something like unanimam adloquitur male sana sororem.

Zappy is right. But it would not be easy to find a use for "a cause for wars"...

It pleases me to find lovers of Latin here! I suppose this would be the game forum where I had the best chance.

 

[enf91]

G-d. No wonder Rome collapsed. Someone probably shouted "The barbarians are coming!" but in the wrong case, so no one understood him. I'm suddenly reminded of a certain scene from Life of Brian...

 

[Tweetybird]

Well, I've only got three years of Latin and Greek behind me, and one yet to come, but I most certainly support this. Huzzah to the disappearance of broken Latin. (At least around here)
And, really now, while relating it to Life of Brian does provide some giggles, a lot of languages have cases. It's not that complicated

 

[Barsoom]

Yes, it is. Most languages derived from Latin ditched those cases, didn't they? Most Germanic languages, too, actually. Even German, at least spoken German. Not the kind they teach you in school, though, unfortunately.

 

[tuore]

Where is latin even needed today? I can only say "Romani Ite Domum", Romans go home.

 

[Profane]

Well since we have experts here how about they tell us how to say some good lines, nothing like throwing out some latin and pretending you're intelligent.

Oh and most importantly some exceedingly rude and obnoxious insults ! A real man only needs to be able to curse in a language anyway !:rofl:

 

[MichaelM]

Well since we have experts here how about they tell us how to say some good lines, nothing like throwing out some latin and pretending you're intelligent.

My personal favorite is "Quid quid latine dictum sit, altum videtur". It's even in Fredrik II's signature.

 

[gardel va]

After being away from Latin for 25 years, I'd forgotten about how to decline fourth declension nouns. Thanks for the reminder.

On use of the term in the game, wouldn't it be more accurate for the plural of casus belli to be casus bellorum, since each casus typically results in a different bellum?

Another question -- is "Magna Mundi" just bad Latin, or is there some subtlety I'm missing?

 

[jonlucero]

Quite a thread we have here. Very interesting.

 

[Mannisks]

Mannisks, brotha! Your use of "unanimously" might be odd even in Latin, but you are at least supported by a line of Virgil's I found, something like unanimam adloquitur male sana sororem.

Zappy is right. But it would not be easy to find a use for "a cause for wars"...

It pleases me to find lovers of Latin here! I suppose this would be the game forum where I had the best chance.

That's exactly the line I was thinking of when I wrote that! Maybe I should stop trusting Virgil so much..

gardel va: Someone explained to me once that "Magna Mundi" is short for "Magna Carta Mundi" = a big world map. I guess it works.

 

[HNT]

Where is latin even needed today? I can only say "Romani Ite Domum", Romans go home.

Yes Latin is relevant even today:
1) These are examples from my daily life: exempli gratia, vide infra, poco sostenuto, allegretto, allegro ma non troppo, in extenso, vide supra.

2) Latin in science as THE language to designate species (have you seen a buteo buteo today?)

3) Latin in the Roman Catholic church.