Cap 15. L’ultimo D’Annunzio: Arria e Peto (4)
Quando anche il mio Gabriele, come tutti gli Italiani, inviò a Mussolini la sua vera e una cassa d’oro, ferro e bronzo, accompagnò l’offerta con la frase latina “Non dolet”.
Mi spiegò che faceva riferimento alla storia di un’eroina dell’antica Roma di nome Arria.
La matrona Arria Maggiore era la moglie devotissima del console e senatore Cecina Peto, e che la loro storia non è una leggenda ma viene citata nelle lettere di Plinio il Giovane, e anche da Tacito.
Plinio racconta che quando sia il marito che il figlio di Arria furono colpiti da una grave malattia che uccise il ragazzo, Arria, temendo che la morte del giovane potesse togliere a Peto la voglia di guarire, decise di nascondergli la notizia. Così organizzò da sola il funerale, dicendo nel frattempo al marito che il loro figlio stava migliorando, ma che non poteva ancora alzarsi dal letto. In presenza del marito, quando l’emozione era troppo forte, ella usciva e “cedeva al dolore” e rientrava solo quando il suo animo si era calmato.
Così il console riuscì a rimettersi. Tuttavia le traversie della coppia non terminarono con questo tragico avvenimento.
Dopo il fallimento di una rivolta in Dalmazia contro l’imperatore Claudio nel 42 d. C. , Peto, che vi era coinvolto, fu fatto prigioniero e imbarcato per essere condotto a Roma dove doveva essere giudicato.
Arria implorò i soldati di lasciarla salpare con il marito, almeno come sua schiava, ma le venne impedito di salire sulla nave.
Allora noleggiò una piccola barca da pesca e seguì la nave fino a destinazione.
A Roma, poco prima della condanna, la coraggiosa matrona prese una grave decisione: convincere Peto a prevenire il verdetto di colpevolezza e la condanna a morte con il suicidio.
Vedendolo esitante, Arria prese il pugnale e se lo infisse in petto. Poi lo estrasse e glielo restituì dicendo: “Paete, non dolet!” (“Peto, non fa male”).
Peto, folgorato dall’esempio della moglie, decise allora di imitarla e togliersi la vita.
Questo fatto è citato anche in un epigramma di Marziale:
Casta suo gladium cum traderet Arria Paeto,
Quem de uisceribus strinxerat ipsa suis,
“Si qua fides, uulnus quod feci non dolet”, inquit,
“Sed tu quod facies, hoc mihi, Paete, dolet”.
Quando la casta Arria consegnò la spada a Peto,
Che lei stessa aveva estratto dalle proprie viscere
“Se merito fede, la ferita che ho fatto non fa male”, disse.
“Ma quello che farai tu, Peto, questa sì che mi fa male.”
continua
When my Gabriele, like all Italians, sent Mussolini his ring and a chest of gold, iron and bronze, he accompanied the offer with the Latin phrase “Non dolet”.
He explained to me that it was referring to the story of an ancient Roman heroine named Arria.
Arria (also Arria Major) was the very devoted wife of the consul and senator Caecina Paetus, and that their story is not a legend but is recorded in the letters of Pliny the Younger, and also by Tacitus.
Pliny says that when both Arria’s husband and son were struck by a serious illness that killed the boy, Arria, fearing that their son’s death might take away Peto’s desire to recover, decided to hide the news from him. So she organized his funeral on her own, telling her husband in the meantime that the boy was getting better, but that he still couldn’t get out of bed. In her husband’s presence, when her emotion was too strong, she went out of the room and “gave herself to sorrow” and returned only when her soul had calmed down.
Thus the consul managed to heal. However, the couple’s ordeals did not end with that tragic event.
After the failure of a rebellion in Dalmatia against the emperor Claudius in AD 42 Caecina, who was involved, was imprisoned and put on board a vessel to be taken to Rome where he was to be judged.
Arria begged the captain of the ship to allow her to join him on board, at least as a slave, but she was prevented from boarding the ship.
Therefore she rented a small fishing boat and followed the great ship all the way to its destination.
In Rome, shortly before the sentencing, the courageous matron made a serious decision: convince Paetus to prevent the death sentence by suicide.
Seeing him hesitate, Arria took the dagger and stuck it in her chest. She then took it out of her heart and handed it to her husband, saying: “Paete, non dolet!” (“Paetus, it doesn’t hurt”).
Peto was struck by his wife’s example and decided to imitate her.
She is the subject of one of Marcus Valerius Martialis’ epigrams.
Casta suo gladium cum traderet Arria Paeto,
Quem de uisceribus strinxerat ipsa suis,
“Si qua fides, uulnus quod feci non dolet”, inquit,
“Sed tu quod facies, hoc mihi, Paete, dolet”.
When the chaste Arria handed over her sword to Paetus,
Which she herself had with her own hand drawn forth from her heart,
“If you believe me, the wound that I have made does not hurt,” she said.
“But what you will do, Peatus, this hurts me.”
to be continued
Image: Dante Gabriel Rossetti – Two Lovers (1850)
Thats a very profound set of words!
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I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. 🙂
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[…] Le donne del mio Vate – ☾ CVII ☽ 🖋️ […]
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Thanks a lot for sharing on your blog🙏🌹💙
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This must be where death before dishonour comes in. Life in ancient Rome was full of intrigue and danger, it seems. Have a good Friday Luisa. Allan
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Now, at least in Italian politics, it seems that the idea of dishonour is an obsolete concept.🙏
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What a sorrow story to read ☹️ A time when you can do whatever you want and there is no pity or kindness !!
Very fast emotional and nothing is thought out 👌 my comment and grace wishes my lovely friend 💗
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Thank you from the bottom of my heart for appreciating this post and leaving your wonderful comment, 🙏🩵💖😍🙏
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Ciao Luisa, i tuoi post sul grande GdA, autore che, come forse ricorderai, adoro, sono sempre interessanti, documentati e bene scritti, complimenti!
Un saluto affezionato,
Luigi
P.S.: il mio blog, a causa di problemi bizzarri con la piattaforma WP, ha cambiato indirizzo. Ora è: https://luigimilani.blogspot.com/
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Grazie per l’apprezzamento, caro Luigi, e per avermi fornito il nuovo link al tuo blog!
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Se non sono troppo curiosa, quali problemi ti ha procurato WordPress?
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You could probably write a book about ancient Roman execution methods. Unfortunately for the human race, the history of capital punishment has been a long, bloody and inglorious one. Today, most of us are lucky enough to live in countries where the death penalty has been abolished.
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You are right, dear Aiva, the history of capital punishment has been long, bloody and inglorious and unfortunately it is a barbarity that has not yet been eradicated in every part of the world
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🥰🥰🥰
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Magari oggi ci fosse tanto coraggio, tanto onore e tanto amore!
L’opera che presenti di chi è?
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Questa serie di racconti la cui narratrice è la domestica di D’Annunzio? Li ho scritti io 🤗
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wow, bravissima! 🙋♀️
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Grazie di cuore per l’apprezzamento, cara Giovanna
Mi ha fatto un grande piacere
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Questa storia è terribile e bellissima! Hai fatto bene a ricordarla!!!🥰🥰🥰
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Grazie per l’apprezzamento, cara Vitty
Ti auguro un felice sabato💞
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Che storia. Molto interessante
Buona serata
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Felice che ti sia piaciuta, Alle!
Buon sabato a te
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I can see why such a dramatic, romantic story could appeal to the Bard.
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Indeed, that’s why he used the Latin phrase “Non dolet” when he donated his ring and a casket of gold, iron and bronze to the regime
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Excellent point! I did not know what non dolet meant.
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Latin expressions are easier to understand for us Italians, even if the study of this language which is the basis of our language is now neglected. Perhaps there is a fear that we will become too aware, critical and with a functioning brain? 🫤🫤🫤
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You raise a fascinating point. I think you would remain brilliant anyways, dear Luisa.
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😉😇🙏
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🥳🥰😎👍
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The story written by Pliny the Younger was indeed extremely dramatic, as well as a a bit romantic.
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Thank you very much, Thomas!
I am happy that you thought so!
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There are many incidences on record which testify to a state of inner certainty in which not only do wounds not hurt, they don’t bleed either. The Lakota dancers, here in the United States, are famous for it. I have also had it happen to me.
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Thank you very much for this amazing message and the cultural references you added🙏🙏🙏
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If you believe me, the wound that I have made does not hurt,” she said.
“But what you will do, Peatus, this hurts me.”
Impactful words and story, Luisa.
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I’m happy that you were fascinated by this story too, dearest Mary 🙏💖🙏
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How dramatic. I can’t imagine stabbing oneself. Good post, Luisa!
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Thank you so much, dear Priscilla!
You are always very kind and I appreciate your words❣️
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Sounds a little ominous for the near future of your narrator.
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Thanks a lot for sharing your opinion, dear Shaharee 🙏💖
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We will see what the future brings for your narrator in the forthcoming chapters. I don’t think it will be dancing in the moonlight and smelling the roses when this Paete story is one of the first things that occurred to her after her lover-torturer past away.
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No, she won’t kill herself out of pain, but her life will change radically and, here I tell you, she will be forced to leave the sort of palace in which she lived
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I’m intrigued and look forward how the story will go on and what how your narrator’s redemption arc will come to a conclusion.
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It’s so kind of you to say that and I’m really grateful to you!!!
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How tragic, and the quote, to say it doesn’t hurt shows how strong she was. Maggie
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Thank you so much, dear Maggie💙
You are always very kind and I am grateful for your words❣️💐🤗
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NICE post ❤️💓💖
Blessed and Happy Saturday from 🇪🇸
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Un bel anedoto per ricordare una frase del Vate.
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Grazie di cuore, caro Gian 💙
Ti auguro una buona serata
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Sera bella Luisa
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Che storia terribile che dimostra, tuttavia quanto l’amore possa essere sconfinato! Grazie, Luisa carissima, buona serata! 💞👏🏻
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Grazie a te, carissima Valy, per il tuo gentile commento
Un abbraccio 🩵
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Un abbraccio a te, Luisa carissima, buonanotte 🩵
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Buona giornata, Valy ❣️❣️❣️
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