08-20-2003, 01:06 PM
I've heard this bridge story as well, but without the original latin wording, it's impossible to say what it means. Does it actually say "break step" in latin?, in which case it might equally well mean "Tread lightly" or is it some other phrase which has been taken, with hindsight, to be a warning about the safety of the bridge?<br>
There is no reason why they should have used the latin for "break step" to mean the same thing as its English equivalent, neither is there any reason why marching out of step could not be described by some other term.<br>
We need a latinist who knows what words are used in the various sources, to tell us.<br>
<br>
Re. the drums, according to a recent radio talk, drums were considered female instruments, presumably because they have a membrane, and not therefore appropriate for martial purposes. I believe there are ancient sources which clearly state that the cornu and the bucina were expressely for relaying commands, the one to the standard-bearers, the other to the soldiers. I don't think there'd be much future in trying to sound either of these continuously, when on the march. <p></p><i></i>
There is no reason why they should have used the latin for "break step" to mean the same thing as its English equivalent, neither is there any reason why marching out of step could not be described by some other term.<br>
We need a latinist who knows what words are used in the various sources, to tell us.<br>
<br>
Re. the drums, according to a recent radio talk, drums were considered female instruments, presumably because they have a membrane, and not therefore appropriate for martial purposes. I believe there are ancient sources which clearly state that the cornu and the bucina were expressely for relaying commands, the one to the standard-bearers, the other to the soldiers. I don't think there'd be much future in trying to sound either of these continuously, when on the march. <p></p><i></i>
