![]() It was the philosophers of Late Stoa-the Roman Stoics-who took up the idea of memento mori. Memento mori was not a tradition of the Early Stoa (Zeno to Antipater), or the Middle Stoa (Panaetius and Posidonius). Memento-Mori – Remember that you will die. So that he treats the grand occasion with humility, without forgetting that fame and glory are but fleeting.Īnd remembers that when he dies, he and his heroic tales will be forgotten. So that he doesn’t get carried away believing he’s the new god of Greece. That grim reminder of his mortality was delivered to force the general to take in the entire scene wisely and reasonably. This slave’s sole duty was to whisper into the ears of the commander every once in a while: In the chariot, as legend has it, a slave stood close behind the euphoric general. The triumph parade was such a magnificent ceremony that it could make any general feel like a god. Of the many conditions, the general had to have slain at least 5,000 of the enemy in a single battle. The Roman senate did not grant every battle-winner this honor. The lofty triumphus, the most cherished ambition of every Roman general, was extremely hard to obtain. People would throng in large numbers on the sides of the streets, shouting the deeds of their hero and rejoicing at the occasion. The procession would march through the streets to reach the temple of Jupiter, where the general was to offer a sacrifice. The conquering general came towards the end in a four-horse chariot, dripping with gold leaf and animal furs, followed by his loyal soldiers wearing laurel leaves and togas and shouting in unison “io triumphe” - behold the triumph! - John Welford, retired librarian, Leicestershire The ultimate bit of propaganda, a procession of painted posters and statues depicting the notable events of the campaign, came next, followed by Rome’s senators and magistrates, all on foot as a sign of humility before the great hero of the hour. They were followed by their captured weapons and armor, along with the spoils of war and any exotic objects which might impress the citizens of Rome. First to come were the captive leaders, usually walking in chains. His troops would march beside and behind his chariot.Ī triumphal procession tended to fit a formula. The people he captured were held in chains, and the souvenirs he seized were laid on trolleys, both paraded ahead of his horses. The victorious general would enter Rome riding a four-horse chariot. ![]() This is the fascinating story of what is memento mori.Īncient Rome had the tradition of holding a ‘triumphus.’ It was a gala parade honoring a triumphant general who has freshly returned from the battlefield. Memento mori – Remember that you will die.īefore we dive into its origins, please note it is “ memento mori” - not “ momento mori”. Memento mori definition: An emblematic object or personal ornament, such as a skull, used as a reminder of one’s mortality. This philosophical practice of death awareness started in ancient Rome and spread fast through the Western world. The concept of memento mori may seem morbid, but it was held in high regard. ![]() It also reminds us of the worthlessness of earthly riches, status symbols, and titles at death. Memento mori urges us to perform our duties without wasting time, live virtuously, and be ready to leave life when death arrives, because death is unpredictable. Memento mori, translated from Latin, means “remember you have to die.” It comes from memento meaning an object kept as a reminder, and mori meaning death. We take a trip through the ancient world on death, with generals, slaves, philosophers, playwrights, painters, pharaohs, and The Grim Reaper. However, the history of memento mori runs deeper. These figures were known as “memento mori”. It was to remind onlookers that they, too, were marked for death. In the Middle Ages, tombs and monuments often bore carvings of skulls and skeletons. It reminds us how worthless our earthly belongings are and how little time we have in our hands.Īpproach me, stranger. Memento mori warns us to finish our duties before death knocks at our door. What does memento mori mean and why it’s important to meditate on it? ![]()
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