sic semper tyrannis

English

Great Seal of Virginia with the commonwealth's motto.

Etymology

From the Latin sīc semper tyrannīs (“thus always to tyrants”). While the line is sometimes said to have been uttered by Brutus after he assassinated Julius Caesar, the utterance itself is recorded in no ancient sources and appears to be a modern invention. It is probably a Latin translation by the US founder George Wythe of what Tiberius Gracchus’ grandfather, the general and statesman Scipio Aemilianus, said when he heard of the assassination of his grandson. According to Plutarch (21.4), he reacted by quoting Homer’s Odyssey (1.47): ὡς ἀπόλοιτο καὶ ἄλλος, ὅτις τοιαῦτά γε ῥέζοι. This etymology is presented by Mike Fontaine,[1] though he mentions both Wythe and George Mason as possible translators, which is very unlikely since Wythe is famous as a Classicist whereas there is no recorded mention of Mason's knowledge of Greek.

Phrase

sic semper tyrannis

Thus always to tyrants; tyrannical leaders will inevitably be overthrown.

Usage notes

John Wilkes Booth supposedly uttered it when he assassinated Abraham Lincoln. This is probably the most famous use of this expression.

References

The Real Source Behind “Sic Semper Tyrannis”, by Mike Fontaine

[1] The Real Source Behind “Sic Semper Tyrannis”, by Mike Fontaine