Re: 'Bishops'

From: Bernard Taylor (btaylor@LaSierra.EDU)
Date: Fri Mar 29 1996 - 15:12:10 EST


On Fri, 29 Mar 1996, Carl W. Conrad wrote:

> I've sort of supposed (don't know whether it could be proved) that it
> represents the Roman ideal expressed in the Latin adjective "univira,"
> which refers to a woman who has had only one husband--not divorced or
> widowed and remarried. The fidelity extended beyond death to a single
> husband was thus esteemed in words, however frequently or infrequently in
> deed.

Carl,

What a fascinating title for a book: "I've sort of supposed"! There is so
much information, and so many ideas that lurk in scholars' minds that may
never see the light of day. We see connections and patterns, link
concepts, etc. but never say anything about it, even doubt its
significance, until something triggers it. Though I had four years of
high school Latin, and I have kept it at the useful level, it never got to
the point of coming across "univira." Now, as a throw away comment, you
mention how you have wondered about the possible connection.

As you say, the connection may not be there, but at least it opens up
another place to look. Such serendipity obviously fascinates me. I am
at work, and my language resources are at home, but this is one that I
will look at further, irrespective of whether or not it has relevance to
the passage under discussion.

Thanks,

Bernard Taylor

ps. After my lurking for a long time, two posts in the one day .... This
is too much.



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