Circa hoc tempus Siwardus consul fortissimus Nordhymbre, pene gigas statura, manu uero et mente predura, misit filium suum in Scotiam conquirendam. Quem cum bello cesum patri renuntiassent, ait, 'Recepitne uulnus letale in anteriori uel posteriori corporis parte?' Dixerunt nuntii, 'In anteriori.' At ille, 'Gaudeo plane, non enim alio me uel filium meum digner funere.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A father asks if his killed son was wounded in the front; hearing yes, he rejoices that he died bravely rather than running away.
- In plain terms
- A man is glad his son died facing the enemy, not with his back turned.
- What can you take from it?
- Facing danger head-on is better than fleeing when death comes.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What defines a good death?
- How do families honor fallen soldiers?
Another view
The quote glorifies war death without questioning its necessity.
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