Quote:
Originally posted by Dfran
In fact, all the words in our motto are Greek in origin. Plato coined the term "Republic"; Aegis is the shield of Zeus, and Cryptos is Greek for "Hidden" [secreted].
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I'm afraid that's not quite accurate, DFran. "Republic" is an English word, derived from Latin (
res publica) through Middle French. Plato did indeed write a work the translated English title of which is "Republic." But the word Plato used (and perhaps coined) was
Politeia,which really would translate as "Constitution."
And in Greek mythology, the aegis -- first associated with Zeus and later with Athena -- was described either as a thundercloud or the skin of the divine goat Ameltheia. It was usually depicted as a cloak, though it could be used as a shield, and Athena wore it upon her breastplate.
FWIW.