German executioner's sword with engraving, 17th century AD : historyartifacts

[-] derfunkatron@lemmy.world 25 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

The Latin translates to “the word became flesh,” which is pretty damn metal to put on a sword used for decapitation.

Edit: I just noticed that the inscription reads et verbum caro facum est instead of et verbum caro factum est. Not sure if this was a mistake or abbreviation, but I think the actual inscription would read “the word burns flesh”?

I’m basically Brian from the Latin lesson scene in the Life of Brian, so if anyone has an actual grasp of Latin grammar, please correct me.

[-] PugJesus@lemmy.world 10 points 2 years ago

Romanes eunt domus!

[-] Successful_Try543@feddit.org 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

"Whaaat? People called Romanes they walk the home?"
(It's been a while since I've watched it with the English original audio)

[-] Successful_Try543@feddit.org 10 points 2 years ago

It's from the Last Gospel, the prologue to the Gospel of John. Your translation seems to be correct, as it is also given in the article.

[-] mrfriki@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I don’t know much about Latin but Verbum is another word for God.

[-] derfunkatron@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago

Yeah, this phrase specifically deals with the incarnation of Christ and it’s typically capitalized in English as “the Word.”

[+] drhugsymcfur@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

[deleted]

[-] teft@lemmy.world 7 points 2 years ago

The french form of beheading was to have them kneel upright during a beheading instead of putting their neck on a block.

It's how Anne Boleyn was decapitated by the swordsman from Calais.

[-] Imhotep@lemmy.world 6 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

interesting how it's only meant to behead (I suppose). there's no pointy end, like a big butter knife

[-] xtapa@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 2 years ago

They usually were not pointy and heavier than regular swords which made it easier to chop off body parts.

[-] medicsofanarchy@lemmy.world 5 points 2 years ago

Would it be worthwhile to run a q-tip through the engraved parts and collect DNA? Just for science?

[-] Gradually_Adjusting@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Are you Rick Sanchez gathering a team for a high profile heist?

[-] lemonmelon@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

You son of a bitch, I'm in.

[-] Imhotep@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

congrats on graduating beheading school, son ! we bought you a cool sword as a present

[-] hakunawazo@lemmy.world 4 points 2 years ago

Beheading school like:

[-] PugJesus@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

One of my favorite stories about executioners is the French executioner Capeluche training the man who was assigned to kill HIM so he'd get it right. One clean chop - it would be terrible to have a botched execution where you linger in agony while some amateur hacks at your half-severed neck!

[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 3 points 2 years ago

Damn. The wheel was a particular cruel method of death by torture.

[-] Successful_Try543@feddit.org 1 points 2 years ago

AfaIk, being wheeled was usually or often part of a multiple death penalty, i.e. the delinquent was hung and probably quartered before the wheeling.

[-] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I think you got your order reversed. Wheeling was, if done “skillfully” 🤢, generally not lethal. The person would have their limbs broken to be put in the wheel so they can suffer very publicly for all to see. And only then they’d be hung and quartered, with the quarters displayed at various points to serve as further “deterrent”.

[-] Successful_Try543@feddit.org 4 points 2 years ago

Thank you. You're right. I've looked it up.

[-] zzx@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago

Terminus Est

[-] SplashJackson@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 years ago

Pretty tight engraving yo

[Dormant] moved to !historyartifacts@piefed.social