THE PUNIC WARS REVISED
By Otto Troycaugher
September 17, 2018
ROME - Researchers have recently uncovered evidence that Pliny the Elder’s now famed “Carthago delenda est” speech endings never happened.
Generations of historians have traditionally believed that once powerful statesman, Pliny the Elder, ended all of his public addresses with the words, “Carthago delenda est,” in attempt to urge his fellow Romans into declaring war on rival city state, Carthage. The phrase translates into “Carthage must be destroyed,” and it is commonly seen as the catalyst for the continuation of the Punic Wars.
However, Ian Connor, a researcher from Valley Bend University in Bowfast Maine, and his team of fellow archaeologists discovered a treasure trove of ancient texts in a cave outside of Pliny’s summer home in the modern Sicilian town of Syracusa. Although most of the texts were too warn by time to be used in any academic capacity, several fragments of what appears to be a diary reveal that Pliny had a substantial speech impediment, rendering him occasionally incomprehensible.
The author, who is presumed to be Pliny himself, laments that many contemporary Romans misunderstand his words as the now famous “Carthago delenda est,” instead of the intended “Uconno delenda est.”
If true, then much of history would need to be revised. The entire basis for the Third Punic War, and the subsequent eventual annihilation of Carthage would have been a mistake.
When questioned about the significance of his team’s findings, Ian responded by saying “it’s really incredible to be in a position to rewrite history.”
“Not only are we now finally able to know the truth, we’re able to set the record straight,” he elaborated. “Uconno delenda est.”
www.themainebannertimes.com/history/thepunicwarsrevised
By Otto Troycaugher
September 17, 2018
ROME - Researchers have recently uncovered evidence that Pliny the Elder’s now famed “Carthago delenda est” speech endings never happened.
Generations of historians have traditionally believed that once powerful statesman, Pliny the Elder, ended all of his public addresses with the words, “Carthago delenda est,” in attempt to urge his fellow Romans into declaring war on rival city state, Carthage. The phrase translates into “Carthage must be destroyed,” and it is commonly seen as the catalyst for the continuation of the Punic Wars.
However, Ian Connor, a researcher from Valley Bend University in Bowfast Maine, and his team of fellow archaeologists discovered a treasure trove of ancient texts in a cave outside of Pliny’s summer home in the modern Sicilian town of Syracusa. Although most of the texts were too warn by time to be used in any academic capacity, several fragments of what appears to be a diary reveal that Pliny had a substantial speech impediment, rendering him occasionally incomprehensible.
The author, who is presumed to be Pliny himself, laments that many contemporary Romans misunderstand his words as the now famous “Carthago delenda est,” instead of the intended “Uconno delenda est.”
If true, then much of history would need to be revised. The entire basis for the Third Punic War, and the subsequent eventual annihilation of Carthage would have been a mistake.
When questioned about the significance of his team’s findings, Ian responded by saying “it’s really incredible to be in a position to rewrite history.”
“Not only are we now finally able to know the truth, we’re able to set the record straight,” he elaborated. “Uconno delenda est.”
www.themainebannertimes.com/history/thepunicwarsrevised
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