The New Aid to Memory/Plate IV
PLATE IV.
1. Battle of Munda.
Ariel, 45 B.C.
Ariel, or the Spirit of Air, striking the moon (symbol for Monday, or Munda), with a Roman standard, will suggest the battle of Munda and its date.
This battle was fought at Munda, in Spain, between Cæsar and the Republican forces, under the command of the sons of Pompey the Great.
Ariel will give the date 45 B.C.
2. Cæsar murdered.
Roar, 44 B.C.
A sea storm, or the seas (for Cæsar) roar, will suggest the consternation and uproar of the people of Rome, at the murder of Julius Cæsar in the Senate-house, by his friend Brutus and other conspirators.
Roar will give the date 44 B.C.
3. Second Triumvirate in Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus.
Arm, 43 B.C.
A double-bodied triumphal car, in which are three men, each extending his arm and holding a pen, will suggest the date of the Second Triumvirate, and their dreadful proscription. This premeditated carnage amounted to three hundred senators, and above two thousand knights.
Arm will give the date 43 B.C.
4. Battle of Philippi.
Roan, 42 B.C.
A roan-filly (for Philippi) will suggest Philippi, and the date of this battle.
This battle was fought near the city of Philippi, in Macedonia, between the Triumvirate and Brutus and Cassius, the leaders of the Republican party, which was routed; afterwards Brutus and Cassius killed themselves.
Roan will give the date 42 B.C.
5. Battle of Actium, and the Title of Augustus given to Octavius, who was now Made Emperor.
Mate, 31 B.C.
A naval action, in which a naval officer called a mate, is very conspicuous.
This naval battle took place between the forces of Augustus and Antony, near Actium, a city of Epirus. Augustus was the victor. We may remember also by the hempen (for Emperor) ropes of the ship, and the symbolized gust of wind (for Augustus), that the era of the Roman Emperors properly begins here, of which Augustus was the first.
Mate will give the date 31 B.C.
6. Death of Cleopatra.
Maize, 30 B.C.
A small serpent, or asp, in a field of clover (for Cleopatra) and maize will suggest the name of Cleopatra, and the fact of her destroying herself by the bite of an asp. Cleopatra destroyed herself to avoid being led in triumph at Rome by Augustus, after he had taken Alexandria.
Maize will give the date 30 B.C.
7. The Egyptians adopt the Julian Year.
Nile, 25 B.C.
Gipsies, or Egyptians, by a river (the Nile), with rings, emblems of the revolving year, in their ears, will suggest this fact and date.
Nile will give the date 25 B.C.
8. Secular Games celebrated at Rome.
Toga, 17 B.C.
A Roman in his toga or gown, jumping in a sack (for secular), will suggest the celebration of the Secular Games, which, according to the Sibylline oracles, were to be observed at the beginning of every age, a hundred and ten years. Their fifth celebration took place in the reign of Augustus Cæsar; and if duly observed, Rome was to flourish for ever, and all nations would become subjected to her dominion.
Toga will give the date 17 B.C.
The following Dates are in the Christian Era.
9. Tiberius began to reign.
Tare, 14 A.D.
A-Dead tare-field surrounded with high-berry bushes. High-berry and Tiberi sound sufficiently alike to suggest the name of Tiberius.
The jealous conduct of Tiberius towards his nephew Germanicus and his children, all of whom he caused to be poisoned, will never be forgotten.
Tare will give the date 14 A.D.
10. Caligula began to reign.
Mace, 37 A.D.
A-Diminished short buskin, called in Latin Caliga (for Caligula), that was now worn by the common sentinels, and which was also usually worn by this Emperor, gave him the name of Caligula. A mace also, the emblem of authority, is introduced in the picture: these symbols suggest the era, date, and name of this wicked Emperor.
Mace will give the date 37 A.D.
1
For Munda's fight is Ariel,
Where Pompey's sons did not prevail.
2
Cæsar by Brutus' hand is slain,
Then roar the Ides of March explain.
3
Triumvirate the second 's here,
Arm and proscription mark this year.
4
Philippi's battle is a Roan,
Where Cæsar's murderers atone.
5
Actium's sea-fight is a Mate,
An officer of lowest rate,
6
A Maize for Cleopatra dead,
T' avoid in triumph to be led.
7
The Nile adopts the Julian year,
The symbols in the Plate appear.
8
Secular Games are celebrated,
The Toga now seems quite elated.
9
Tiberius begins to reign.
A-D and Tare the object gain.
10
Caligula must bear a Mace,
Short buskins too his legs embrace.
NONSENSE HEXAMETERS.
Mund. Ariel, Cæs. Roar, Sec. Tri. Arm, Phil. Roan, Actium, Mate.
Cleo. Maize, Gip. Juli Nile, Year, Game, Toga, Tibe. Tare, Cal. Mace.
