“The Old Lie” – The Roman Ode that Haunted the Trenches

“The Old Lie” – The Roman Ode that Haunted the Trenches

Author: It's All Greek (and Latin) To Me July 1, 2025 Duration: 24:44
“Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori” – “It is sweet and glorious to die for one’s country.”

This week, Jimmy and Armand dive into the conflicted world of Horace, the Roman poet who famously threw away his own shield, switched sides in a civil war and then wrote stirring verses urging young men to die for Rome’s new leadership.

We explore Horace’s transformation from the carefree party bard many imagine, into a potential imperial propagandist; how Augustus used poetry to shape public feeling; and how this short Latin phrase – once used to promote war – would echo across the centuries, only to be picked up and shattered by Wilfred Owen in his devastating First World War poem.

Also in this episode: a Roman consul who walks willingly to torture, Horace’s surprisingly cheeky thoughts on adultery, and how Yorkshire accents might just be the secret to perfect Latin pronunciation.

Main texts explored:
Horace – Odes, Book 3, Ode 2 (Angustam amice pauperiem pati) Contains the famous line: “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.”
Horace – Odes, Book 1, Ode 37 (Cleopatra Ode)
Horace – Odes, Book 3, Odes 1–6 (The “Roman Odes”) Explored generally.
Horace – Odes, Book 3, Ode 7 (Ode on Adultery)
Wilfred Owen – “Dulce et Decorum Est”
Cavafy – “Thermopylae” (modern poem)
Horace – Odes, Book 3, Ode 5 (Regulus Ode)

Presented by Armand D’Angour and Jimmy Mulville
Produced by Diggory Waite
A Hat Trick Production

For more on the charity Classics For All, who support state schools to introduce or develop the teaching of classical subjects sustainably on the curriculum or as an after school activity, visit www.classicsforall.org.uk

Ever wonder why a "mortgage" feels like a "death pledge" or how a "decimated" army lost exactly one in ten soldiers? It's All Greek (and Latin) To Me digs into the ancient roots of the words and ideas we use every day, revealing the stories buried in our language. This isn't a dry grammar lesson; it's a series of deep dives into how Greek and Latin have shaped modern thought, law, science, and culture. Each episode focuses on a specific term or concept, tracing its journey from antiquity to the present, and in the process, we explore surprising connections across history and society. You'll hear how philosophical debates from Athens influence contemporary ethics, or how Roman engineering terms are still embedded in our infrastructure. The goal is to make the classical world feel immediate and relevant, showing that these ancient languages are far from dead-they're actively whispering in our ears. Tune in to this podcast for a blend of etymology, history, and cultural analysis that transforms the way you listen to the news, read a book, or even have a casual conversation. It’s for the curious, for those who love a good story behind a word, and for anyone who’s ever suspected there’s more to our modern vocabulary than meets the eye.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 21

It's All Greek (and Latin) To Me
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