Ave Caesar morituri te salutant

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article appears to contradict the article Naumachia. Please see discussion on the linked talk page.

Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant (litt. Hail, Caesar, those who are about to die salute you) is traditionally the Latin phrase that the gladiators addressed to the emperor before the beginning of a gladiatorial match. The first literary attestation is in Suetonius, De Vita Caesarum, 5 (Divus Claudius), 21, 6, although the Suetonian original is somewhat different from the traditional form: "Have imperator, morituri te salutant!"[1]

It has been speculated that the origins of the phrase is actually inaccurate, and that the phrase was actually said to Emperor Caligula by convicts sentenced to death in the arena. The convicts said the lines in hopes that it would please the Emperor and tempt him to pardon the condemned. They failed and were forced to fight to the death for Caligula's enjoyment. The survivors were given their freedom.^{[citation needed]}

Today the phrase is used ironically and dramatically when beginning a risky activity of uncertain outcome.