Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori

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Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori is a line from the Roman lyrical poet Horace's Odes (iii 2.13). The line can be rendered in English as: "It is sweet and honourable to die for one's country," or: "It is sweet and proper to die for the fatherland." In classical Latin it was pronounced, "dulcet decorumst pro patria mori," due to poetic elision and prodelision.

The line has been a commonplace in modern times throughout Europe. It was quoted by Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat immediately before his beheading on Tower Hill, London in 1747. It was much quoted in reference to the British Empire in the 19th century, particularly during the Boer War. The last words of the early Zionist activist Joseph Trumpeldor before he died while defending a settlement in the Upper Galilee in 1920 are reported to have been "Never mind, it is good to die for our country."

Its initial three words have appeared as a book title. British rock group Kasabian inserted the line at the end of their video for "Empire", after their lead singer is shot by a firing squad.

During World War I, British poet Wilfred Owen wrote a poem entitled, "Dulce Et Decorum Est," in which the phrase was described as "the old Lie." The poem was written by Owen in response to a poem by Jessie Pope, a propagandist with limited talent, entitled "Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori". The latter was about the glory of dying for one's country. This poem is based on a gas attack during World War One and is one of the many anti-war poems that were not published till after the war had ended.

In a school essay German playwright Bertolt Brecht referred to the phrase as "Zweckpropaganda" (cheap propaganda for a specific cause).

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" is also the Portuguese Army University (Academia Militar) motto. [1] [2]

"Dulce et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori" is also the title of an unreleased Regina Spektor song, which includes the phrase in the second verse.

"Dulce et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori, sed dulcius pro patria vivere, et dulcissimus pro patria biber. Ergo, bibiamo pro salute patriae" (In English - It is sweet to die for the homeland, but it is sweeter to live for the homeland, and the sweetest to drink for it. Therefore, let us drink to the health of the homelands) - a frequent 19th century students toast.