Riddle Ages

Symphosius Riddle 26: Grus

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Littera sum caeli penna perscripta volanti,

Bella cruenta gerens volucri discrimine Martis;

Nec vereor pugnas, dum non sit longior hostis.

Translation:

I am a letter of the sky, written out with flying wing,

Waging cruel wars with winged Mars’ danger;

I do not fear battles, as long as the enemy is not taller.

Click to show riddle solution?

Crane

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 27: Cornix

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Vivo novem vitas, si me non Graecia fallit;

Atraque sum semper nullo conpulsa dolore;

Et non irascens ultro convitia dico.

Translation:

I live nine lives, if Greece does not deceive me;

And I am always black, compelled by no sadness;

And not angry, I give abuse superfluously.

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Crow

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 28: Vespertilio

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Nox mihi dat nomen primo de tempore noctis.

Pluma mihi non est, cum sit mihi penna volantis;

Sed redeo in tenebris nec me committo diebus.

Translation:

Night gives me my name, from the first time of night.

I do not have feathers, though I do have flying wing;

But I go in darkness, and do not commit myself to days.

Click to show riddle solution?

Bat

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 29: Ericius

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Plena domus spinis, parvi sed corporis hospes;

Incolumi dorso telis confixus acutis

Sustinet armatas segetes habitator inermis.

Translation:

A house full of spikes, but a guest of small body;

With an unharmed back, pierced by sharp points,

A defenceless inhabitant supports armed crops.

Click to show riddle solution?

Hedgehog

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

Ordering: Leary orders Riddles 29-31 as: phoenix, ericius, peduculus, while also acknowledging the possibility of the order here

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Symphosius Riddle 30: Peduculus

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Est nova nostrarum cunctis captura ferarum,

Ut, si quid capias, id tu tibi ferre recuses

Et, quod non capias, tecum tamen ipse reportes.

Translation:

There is, for everyone, a strange prey of our wild animals,

Which, if you should catch it, you will decline to bring it to you

And, if you should not catch it, it may yet bring itself back with you.

Click to show riddle solution?

Louse

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

Ordering: Leary orders Riddles 29-31 as: phoenix, ericius, peduculus, while also acknowledging the possibility of the order here

Tags: riddles solutions latin symphosius

Symphosius Riddle 31: Phoenix

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Vita mihi mors est; morior si coepero nasci.

Sed prius est fatum leti quam lucis origo.

Sic solus Manes ipsos mihi dico parentes.

Translation:

My life is death; if I die I begin to be born.

But before the fate of death is the beginning of light.

Thus I alone call the Manes themselves my parents.

Click to show riddle solution?

Phoenix

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

Ordering: Leary orders Riddles 29-31 as: phoenix, ericius, peduculus, while also acknowledging the possibility of the order here

Tags: riddles solutions latin symphosius

Symphosius Riddle 32: Taurus

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Moechus eram regis, sed lignea membra sequebar.

Et Cilicum mons sum, sed mons sum nomine solo.

Et vehor in caelis et in ipsis ambulo terris.

Translation:

I was an adulterer of royalty, but I followed wooden limbs.

And I am a Cilician mountain, but I am a mountain only in name.

And I ride in the heavens and walk on the earth itself.

Click to show riddle solution?

Bull

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

line 2: mons sum > non sum

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Symphosius Riddle 33: Lupus

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Dentibus insanis ego sum, qui vinco bidentes,

Sanguineas praedas quaerens victusque cruentos;

Multaque cum rabie vocem quoque tollere possum.

Translation:

With raving teeth, I am he who overcomes two-toothed lambs,

Seeking bloody prey and bloody provision;

And with great rage I am also able to destroy the voice.

Click to show riddle solution?

Wolf

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

line 1: vinco > trunco
line 3: rabie > rapiam

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Symphosius Riddle 34: Vulpes

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Exiguum corpus sed cor mihi corpore maius.

Sum versuta dolis, arguto callida sensu;

Et fera sum sapiens, sapiens fera si qua vocatur.

Translation:

My body is small, but my heart is bigger than my body.

I am crafty in tricks, cunning with an artful sense;

And I am a wise beast, insofar as a beast is called wise.

Click to show riddle solution?

Fox

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 35: Capra

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Alma Iovis nutrix, longo vestita capillo,

Culmina difficili peragrans super ardua gressu,

Custodi pecoris tremula respondeo lingua.

Translation:

Jove’s nourishing mother, clad in long hair,

Wandering over the high peaks with difficult step,

I respond with tremulous voice to the guardian of the herd

Click to show riddle solution?

Female Goat

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 36: Porcus

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Setigerae matris fecunda natus in alvo,

Desuper ex alto virides expecto saginas,

Nomine numen habens, si littera prima periret.

Translation:

Born from the fertile womb of a bristly mother,

I expect green feasts from above on high,

I have divinity in my name, if the first letter should disappear.

Click to show riddle solution?

Pig

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 37: Mula

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Dissimilis matri, patri diversa figura,

Confusi generis, generi non apta propago,

Ex aliis nascor, nec quisquam nascitur ex me.

Translation:

Unlike my mother, of a different shape to my father,

Of mixed species, I am not able to further the breed,

I am born of others but nothing is born from me.

Click to show riddle solution?

Mule

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 38: Tigris

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

A fluvio dicor, fluvius vel dicitur ex me.

Iunctaque sum vento, quae sum velocior ipso;

Et mihi dat ventus natos nec quaero maritum.

Translation:

I am named after a river, or else the river is named after me.

And I am joined to the wind, which I am faster than;

And the wind gives me sons, I do not seek a mate.

Click to show riddle solution?

Tiger

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 39: Centaurus

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Quattuor insignis pedibus manibusque duabus

Dissimilis mihi sum, quia sum non unus et unus.

Et vehor et gradior, quia me mea corpora portant.

Translation:

Famous for my four feet and two hands

I am unlike myself, because I am not one and the same.

I both ride and walk because my bodies carry me.

Click to show riddle solution?

Centaur

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 40: Papaver

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Grande mihi caput est, intus sunt membra minuta;

Pes unus solus sed pes longissimus unus.

Et me somnus amat, proprio nec dormio somno.

Translation:

My head is big, the parts inside are small;

Only one foot, but a very long one foot.

And sleep loves me, but I do not sleep in my own sleep.

Click to show riddle solution?

Poppy

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 41: Malva

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Anseris esse pedes similes mihi, nolo negare.

Nec duo sunt tantum, sed plures ordine cernis;

Et tamen hos ipsos omnes ego porto supinos.

Translation:

I do not wish to deny that my feet are similar to those of a goose.

There are not just two, but you see more in a row;

And yet I carry all these same feet upside down.

Click to show riddle solution?

Mallow

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 42: Beta

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Tota vocor graece, sed non sum tota latine.

Pauperibus semper proponor namque tabernis.

In terra nascor, lympha lavor, ungor olivo.

Translation:

I am complete in Greek, but I am not complete in Latin.

For I am always laid out in front in poor taverns.

I am born in the earth, I am washed in water, I am oiled in olive.

Click to show riddle solution?

Beet

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 43: Cucurbita

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Pendeo, dum nascor; rursus, dum pendeo, tumesco.

Pendens commoveor ventis et nutrior undis.

Pendula si non sim, non sum iam iamque futura.

Translation:

I hang, while I am born; again, while I hang, I grow.

Hanging I am moved by the winds and fed by the waters.

If I am not hanging, I will soon not be.

Click to show riddle solution?

Gourd

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

line 1: tumesco > cresco

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Symphosius Riddle 44: Cepa

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Mordeo mordentes, ultro non mordeo quemquam;

Sed sunt mordentem multi mordere parati:

Nemo timet morsum, dentes quia non habet ullos.

Translation:

I bite the biters, I do not bite anyone superfluously;

But many are prepared to bite me, the biter:

No one fears my bite, because it does not have any teeth.

Click to show riddle solution?

Onion

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 45: Rosa

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Purpura sum terrae, pulcro perfusa colore;

Saeptaque, ne violer, telis defendor acutis.

O felix, longo si possim vivere fato!

Translation:

I am crimson in the earth, imbued with a beautiful colour;

And enclosed, so that I may not be violated, I am defended by sharp points.

O happy, if I were able to live out a long fate!

Click to show riddle solution?

Rose

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

line 1: colore > rubore

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Symphosius Riddle 46: Viola

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Magna quidem non sum, sed inest mihi maxima virtus:

Spiritus est magnus, quamvis sim corpore parvo;

Nec mihi germen habet noxam nec culpa ruborem.

Translation:

I am certainly not big, but there is the greatest strength in me:

My aroma is great, although I am small in body;

My sprout does not cause harm and guilt does not make me blush.

Click to show riddle solution?

Violet

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

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Symphosius Riddle 47: Tus

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Dulcis odor nemoris flamma fumoque fatigor,

Et placet hoc superis, medios quod mittor in ignes,

Cum mihi peccandi meritum natura negavit.

Translation:

The sweet scent of the grove, I am fatigued by flame and smoke,

And it is pleasing to the gods that I am sent into the middle of the flames,

Because nature denied me the reward of sinning.

Click to show riddle solution?

Incense

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

line 3 is from a different manuscript family: Nec mihi poena datur, sed habetur gratia dandi

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Symphosius Riddle 48: Murra

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

De lacrimis et pro lacrimis mea coepit origo.

Ex oculis fluxi, sed nunc ex arbore nascor,

Laetus honor frondis, tristis sed imago doloris.

Translation:

From tears and for tears my beginning began.

I flowed from the eyes, but now I am born from a tree,

A happy honour to a leaf, but a sad image of sorrow.

Click to show riddle solution?

Myrrh

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

line 3: frondis > frondi

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Symphosius Riddle 49: Ebur

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Dens ego sum magnus populis cognatus Eois;

Nunc ego per partes in corpora multa recessi;

Nec remanent vires, sed formae gratia mansit.

Translation:

I am a great tooth, related to the people of the East;

Now I have receded into many bodies throughout the regions;

Strength does not remain, but the grace of the form abides.

Click to show riddle solution?

Ivory

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

line 1: cognatus > prognatus

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Symphosius Riddle 50: Fenum

ALEXANDRAREIDER

Date: Fri 01 Jul 2022

Original text:

Herba fui quondam viridi de gramine terrae;

Sed chalybis duro mollis praecisa metallo

Mole premor propria, tecto conclusa sub alto.

Translation:

I was once grass, from the herb of the green earth;

But, tender when I was cut short by the steel’s hard metal,

I am pressed down by my own mass, enclosed under a high roof.

Click to show riddle solution?

Hay

Notes:

This edition is based on Raymond T. Ohl, ed. The Enigmas of Symphosius. PhD dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1928.

If you're researching/studying this collection, you should also consult this excellent new edition: T. J. Leary, ed. Symphosius: The Aenigmata, An Introduction, Text and Commentary. London: Bloomsbury, 2014. Textual differences in that edition include:

Title: Fenum > faenum

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