spolia opima

[ spoh-lee-uh oh-pahy-muh, -pee-; Latin spaw-li-ah aw-pee-mah ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

plural noun

(in ancient Rome) the arms taken by a victorious general from the leader of a defeated army.

From Latin spolia opīma “rich spoils”

Cornelius Cossus, having killed Tolumnius, king of the Veientes, offers the second spolia opima.

By far the most remarkable object in the triumph was Cossus, bearing the spolia opima of the king he had slain.

He knew, as all these others knew and as all the world knows, that a beautiful woman is above all things spolia opima of war.

To him the richest spoils of war (spolia opima) were due, and to him the conqueror gave thanks on his return from battle.

The spoils were called spolia opima, according to Varro, because opim means excellence.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

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