facilis descensus Averno

facilis descensus Averno

Latin

Etymology

Literally "The descent to Avernus is easy." From Virgil's Aeneid, with reference to Avernus, a metonym for the underworld and to Lake Avernus in Italy, a volcanic crater lake reputed to emit deadly vapors.

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈfa.ki.lis deːsˈken.sus aˈwer.noː/, [ˈfa.kɪ.lɪs deːsˈkẽː.sʊs aˈwɛr.noː]

Proverb

facilis dēscensus Avernō

1. The path to hell is easy.
   • 29-19 BCE — Virgil, Aeneis, Book VI, lines 124-127

     Talibus orabat dictis, arasque tenebat,
     cum sic orsa loqui vates: "Sate sanguine divom,
     Tros Anchisiade, facilis descensus Averno;
     noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis;"

     Then thus replied the prophetess divine:
     "O goddess-born of great Anchises' line,
     The gates of hell are open night and day;
     Smooth the descent, and easy is the way:
     (loose translation by John Dryden, 1697)