Expert: Maria - 12/7/2004

Question
Hi

To settle a dispute, please could you advise the classical translation into Latin, as would have been taught to 1960s English schoolboys, of 'To the victor, the spoils'?

This is a most useful aphorism, sadly neglected in modern times.  And so much more satisfying as a put-down when expressed in the mother tongue :-)

Your help would be much appreciated!  

TIA

Mark
(London, UK)  

Answer
Hi,

'To the victor, the spoils' can be translated into classical Latin (i.e. as it would have been taught to 1960s English schoolboys)  as follows:

1-“Victori spolia”
if ‘the spoils' are in general all the plunder taken from the enemy in war (arms, insignia,  standards, etc.).

2-“Victori exuviae”
if ‘the spoils' are something belonging to a person such an armour, for example.

I think however that the sentence  “Victori spolia” is the most appropriate translation for the aphorism you mention as it refers to a winner who gets everything.

Best regards
Maria
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NOTA BENE
To the victor=VICTORI(Dative of Possession)
The spoils=SPOLIA(nominative neuter plural) or EXUVIAE(nominative feminine plural).