09-01-2009, 12:00 AM
Ahh yes. The modern Dictionary. Well, i did an etymological study on Liberty so if i could find where it came from. And consequently it led me to the latin version; Libertas. I found an interesting story about lbertas.
Symbols of Libertas
Libertas was associated with the pileus, commonly worn by the freed slave (emphasis added)[6]:
Among the Romans the cap of felt was the emblem of liberty. When a slave obtained his freedom he had his head shaved, and wore instead of his hair an undyed pileus (πίλεον λευκόν, Diodorus Siculus Exc. Leg. 22 p625, ed. Wess.; Plaut. Amphit. I.1.306; Persius, V.82). Hence the phrase servos ad pileum vocare is a summons to liberty, by which slaves were frequently called upon to take up arms with a promise of liberty (Liv. XXIV.32). The figure of Liberty on some of the coins of Antoninus Pius, struck A.D. 145, holds this cap in the right hand.[7]
Libertas was also recognized in ancient Rome by the rod (vindicta or festuca)[6], used ceremonially in the act of Manumissio vindicta, Latin for "Freedom by the Rod" (emphasis added):
The master brought his slave before the magistratus, and stated the grounds (causa) of the intended manumission. The
lictor of the magistratus laid a rod (festuca) on the head of the
slave, accompanied with certain formal words, in which he declared that
he was a free man ex Jure Quiritium, that is, "vindicavit in
libertatem." The master in the meantime held the slave, and after he
had pronounced the words "hunc hominem liberum volo," he turned him
round (momento turbinis exit Marcus Dama, Persius, Sat. V.78) and let
him go (emisit e manu, or misit manu, Plaut. Capt. II.3.48), whence the
general name of the act of manumission. The magistratus then declared
him to be free [...][8] One could, interpret that Liberty was granted to the slave. It is also interesting that Pileus is has to do witha mushroom cap ( The mushroom would grant you freedom of mind)
Symbols of Libertas
Libertas was associated with the pileus, commonly worn by the freed slave (emphasis added)[6]:
Among the Romans the cap of felt was the emblem of liberty. When a slave obtained his freedom he had his head shaved, and wore instead of his hair an undyed pileus (πίλεον λευκόν, Diodorus Siculus Exc. Leg. 22 p625, ed. Wess.; Plaut. Amphit. I.1.306; Persius, V.82). Hence the phrase servos ad pileum vocare is a summons to liberty, by which slaves were frequently called upon to take up arms with a promise of liberty (Liv. XXIV.32). The figure of Liberty on some of the coins of Antoninus Pius, struck A.D. 145, holds this cap in the right hand.[7]
Libertas was also recognized in ancient Rome by the rod (vindicta or festuca)[6], used ceremonially in the act of Manumissio vindicta, Latin for "Freedom by the Rod" (emphasis added):
The master brought his slave before the magistratus, and stated the grounds (causa) of the intended manumission. The
lictor of the magistratus laid a rod (festuca) on the head of the
slave, accompanied with certain formal words, in which he declared that
he was a free man ex Jure Quiritium, that is, "vindicavit in
libertatem." The master in the meantime held the slave, and after he
had pronounced the words "hunc hominem liberum volo," he turned him
round (momento turbinis exit Marcus Dama, Persius, Sat. V.78) and let
him go (emisit e manu, or misit manu, Plaut. Capt. II.3.48), whence the
general name of the act of manumission. The magistratus then declared
him to be free [...][8] One could, interpret that Liberty was granted to the slave. It is also interesting that Pileus is has to do witha mushroom cap ( The mushroom would grant you freedom of mind)