Song of the Ages (Latin: Carmen Saeculare) is the current national anthem of Rome. The lyrics of the song were commissioned by the famous poet Quintus Horatius Flaccus (commonly known as Horace), commissioned by Octavian, the first Princeps of the Second Republic, and published in 9983 CC/736 AUC, which was first sung at Secular games in that year.
The song is a prayer dedicated to Diana and Apollo, followed by a prayer to Jupiter and Juno. Pray that they will protect Rome and its laws and bless future generations of the Roman people. For Horace, prosperity and wealth returned to the city after the Princeps took power and established peace. At the same time, he quoted Aeneas and Romulus and extolled the reign of Octavian, which ushered in a new era and ensured Rome's future.
During the Fifth Republic, the song was officially designated as the national anthem, but only the second half was played and sung every day. Only during national sacrifices was the full song played and sung, accompanied by related ceremonies.
lyrics[]
| Latin lyrics | English translation |
|---|---|
| Phoebe silvarumque potens Diana,
lucidum caeli decus, o colendi semper et cultu, date quae precamur tempore sacro,
virgines lectas puerosque castos dis, quibus septem placuere colles, dicere carmen.
promis et celas aliusque et idem nasceris, possis nihil urbe Roma visere maius.
lenis, Ilithyia, tuere matres, sive tu Lucina probas vocari seu Genitalis:
prosperes decreta super iugandis feminis prolisque novae feraci lege marita,
orbis ut cantus referatque ludos ter die claro totiensque grata nocte frequentis.
quod semel dictum est stabilisque rerum terminus servet, bona iam peractis iungite fata.
spicea donet Cererem corona; nutriant fetus et aquae salubres et Iovis aurae.
supplices audi pueros, Apollo; siderum regina bicornis, audi, Luna, puellas.
litus Etruscum tenuere turmae, iussa pars mutare Lares et urbem sospite cursu,
castus Aeneas patriae superstes liberum munivit iter, daturus plura relictis:
di, senectuti placidae quietem, Romulae genti date remque prolemque et decus omne. quaeque vos bubus veneratur albis clarus Anchisae Venerisque sanguis inpetret, bellante prior, iacentem lenis in hostem. iam mari terraque manus potentis Medus Albanasque timet securis, iam Scythae responsa petunt, superbi nuper, et Indi. iam Fides et Pax et Honor Pudorque priscus et neglecta redire Virtus audet adparetque beata pleno Copia cornu. augur et fulgente decorus arcu Phoebus acceptusque novem Camenis, qui salutari levat arte fessos corporis artus, si Palatinas videt aequos aras remque Romanam Latiumque felix alterum in lustrum meliusque semper prorogat aevom, quaeque Aventinum tenet Algidumque, quindecim Diana preces virorum curat et votis puerorum amicas adplicat auris: haec Iovem sentire deosque cunctos spem bonam certamque domum reporto doctus et Phoebi chorus et Dianae dicere laudes. |
O Phoebus, Diana queen of the woodlands,
Bright heavenly glories, both worshipped forever And cherished forever, now grant what we pray for At this sacred time,
To innocent boys, and the virgins we’ve chosen, To sing out their song to the gods, who have shown their Love for the Seven Hills.
Herald the day, then hide it, to be born again New yet the same, you will never know anything Mightier than Rome!
The child at full term, now protect gentle mothers, Whether you’d rather be known as Lucina, Or Genitalis.
The Senate’s decrees concerning the wedlock Of women who’ll bear us more of our children, The laws of marriage,
Will bring back the singing again, bring back the games We crowd to three times by daylight, as often, By beautiful night.
Link happy destinies, as has once been ordained And let the certain course of events confirm it, To those that are past.
Adorn our Ceres with garlands of wheat-ears: And may Jupiter’s life-giving rain and breezes Ripen the harvest.
And listen now to the young lads’ supplications: Luna, crescent-horned queen of the constellations, Give ear to the girls.
Came that band of people who reached the Tuscan shore, Those commanded to change their home and their city, On a lucky course,
Who passed without injury through the flames of Troy, Prepared a path to freedom, destined to grant him Much more than he’d lost:
Virtue, grant peace and quiet to the old, and give Children and wealth to the people of Romulus, And every glory.
And Anchises, asks, with a white steer’s sacrifice, Let him obtain: a winner in war, merciful To our fallen foe.
On land, and on sea: they fear the Alban axes, Now the once proud Indians, now the Scythians Beg for an answer.
Dare to return once more, with neglected Virtue, And blessed Plenty dares to appear again, now, With her flowing horn.
Phoebus who’s dear to the Nine Muses, that Phoebus Who can offer relief to a weary body With his healing art,
Extend Rome’s power, and Latium’s good-fortune, Through the fresh ages, show, always, improvement, Lustra ever new.
And Mount Algidus, accept the entreaties Of the Fifteen, and attend, and lend a fond ear, To these children’s prayers.
That such is Jupiter’s, and all the gods’ purpose: We’re taught, we, the chorus, to sing praise of Phoebus, Praise of Diana. |
*The slashed part is the daily singing part.