Expert: Maria Date: 7/17/2008 Subject: project on law of retaliation
Question I believe that the law of retaliation is known as lex talionis in latin. I would however like to know of other equivalent quotes or sayings (for my banner.. oral presentation). What would be the equivalent of the saying "eye for an eye (a tooth for a tooth)"? I would really appreciate many responses..
Thank you so much in advance for your help :)
Answer Hello,
You are right: “The law of retaliation” as a law of equal and direct retribution, that is “an action taken in return for an injury or offence”, is in Latin “Lex talionis” where LEX is ‘the law’ and TALIONIS is ‘of retaliation’.
As for the equivalent of the saying "eye for eye, tooth for tooth”, here it is:
”Oculum pro oculo, dentem pro dente”, as we read in Bible Exodus, 21:24-25 and Deuteronomy 19:21.
Finally with regard to other equivalent sayings, here they are:
1-“Manum pro manu, pedem pro pede, adustionem pro adustione, vulnus pro vulnere, livorem pro livore ” (Hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise).
See Bible Exodus 21:24-25.
2-“Non misereberis eius sed animam pro anima, manum pro manu, pedem pro pede exiges” (Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot).
See Bible Deuteronomy 19:21.
Best regards,
Maria
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Please note that:
-Oculum (accusative case)= eye (an eye)
-Pro oculo (ablative case) = for eye (for an eye)
-Dentem (accusative) = tooth (a tooth)
-Pro dente(ablative )= for a tooth (for a tooth)
-Manum (accusative )=hand
-Pro manu (ablative )= for hand
-Pedem (accusative )= foot
-Pro pede (ablative )= for foot
-Adustionem (accusative )= burn
-Pro adustione (ablative) = for burn
-Vulnus (accusative )= wound
-Pro vulnere (ablative )= for wound
-Livorem (accusative )= bruise
-Pro livore (ablative )= for bruise
-Animam (accusative )= life
-Pro anima (ablative )= for life
