Veni, Vidi, Vici: History 101

I took Latin I my freshmen year of school. In class we read stories about Quintus Horatius Flaccus and the farm that he lived on. We also learned basic verb conjugations (amo, amas, amat), stories from ancient Rome (Jason and the Golden Fleece), and about Roman architecture (I did report on Tiber Island and the Pons Fabricius, which I pass everyday). I'm not sure if I learned about veni, vidi, vici in Latin I, II, III/IV, AP or even before I began studying Classics but I found it a fitting title for my blog.

Veni means 'I came'. Vidi means 'I saw'. Vici means 'I conquered'. The man credited with speaking these words is Julius Caesar. He was born in Rome in 100 BCE, to a prestigious family. He expressed an interest in politics at a young age and held political positions in the Roman empire throughout Europe. When he outgrew these places, he sent a message to the Roman senate that he was on his way: "veni, vidi, vici". Once in Rome, he made himself the consul and dictator. He did a great deal to reform the city such as relieving debt and revising the calendar. However, Caesar's power grew so great that it threatened even his good friends, and on March 15, 44 BCE (The Ides of March), Brutus murdered Caesar. However, Caesar did not let Brutus have the last word. As he was dying he cried out, 'Et tu, Brute!'. This Latin phrase means 'And you, Brutus', as in 'karma will get you'.

The forum where Brutus killed Caesar.

I thought this was the perfect title for my blog while I'm studying abroad. No, I won't be invading any cities and hopefully won't be hearing 'Et tu, Julia!' from my friends, but it still applies. I already came to Rome and I plan to go to many more cities. I already saw so many amazing sights and I certainly will be seeing many more. And I do plan on conquering this system. I'm currently in the process of overtaking the public transportation system. I've already conquered Campo di Fiori, Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon; I can get to these places with my eyes closed if I had to. By the time I return home in May, I want to be an expert on this city and many others and that is why I think "veni, vidi, vici" is the most appropriate title I could choose.

Ciao!