| Page 2, Panel 2 |
The centurion looks like Italian dictator Mussolini. It may also be
noted that Nebulus Nimbus is always shouting (only 3 exceptions) |
| Page 6, Panel 5 |
Jugged hare = hare cooked in a covered earthenware container |
| Page 9, Panel 9 |
"If you were the only Gaul in the world" = "If you were the only girl in
the world" — a 1916 song written by Clifford Grey and Nat D. Ayer
|
| Page 11 Panel 1 |
"Friends, Romans et. al...." = Mark Anthony in Shakespeare's play |
| Page 11, Pane 3 |
Mensa, et. al. = Mensa means table. It is the traditional example given for
a first declension feminine noun. A Latin noun is usually declined in the
order: Nominative (subject), Vocative (address), Accusitive (object),
Gentive (of), Dative (to or for) and Ablative (by, with or from). Hence
for the singular: mensa, mensa, mensam, mensae, mensae, mensa.
|
| Page 12, Panel 4 |
Order of the Bath = British honorary award, can be added on to your last
name. British order of knighthood. Named from the bath preceding
installation. |
| Page 14, Panel 1 |
Victurus te saluto = I who am going to win greet you. Reference to
"Morituri te salutant," used by gladiators to salute the Emperor. |
| Page 15, Panel 5 |
Quod erat demonstrandum = which was the thing to be
proved (Euclid). Used in proofs as QED. Cassius Ceramix's quote "Quite
easily done" is a common, simple (yet sarcastic) interpretation of QED (for
those who cannot remember the Latin). |
| Page 19, Panel 1 |
Dulce et... = Lovely and honourable it is to die for
one's country. (Horace, Odes III.ii.13) |
| Page 21, Panel 1 |
"Pompey's body lies in a-mouldering the but..." = "John Brown's
Body", a famous Union marching song of the American Civil War.
It was a tribute to the abolitionist acts of Jon Brown. The
tune, probably written by William Steffe in 1855-56, was later
used for "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".
|
| Page 26, Panel 9 |
That patient thinks himself Napoleon Bonaparte. No wonder they
don't know who he thinks he is in the Ancient world. He isn't going to
be born for almost another 1800 years! |
| Page 33, Panel 8 |
Sotto voce = in a undertone (quite voice) |
| Page 34, Panel 3 |
Dodgem chariots = A reference to the British Dodgems (American - bumper
cars) |
| Page 34, Panel 6 |
Mirmillo = A type of Gladiator;
Menagerix = Menagerie - A collection of animals for exposition;
Marsupilami = A ficticious animal with yellow fur, black spots and long
tail. A tribute to the character created by Belgian artist André
Franquin as part of the series Spirou and Fantasio.
|
| Page 34, Panel 6 |
W.H. Smix - W.H. Smith is a large British bookstore
chain. In the French, the sign is "PILOTIX" -
Pilote was a comics magazine in which Asterix was
first published. The animal on the sign is known as
the Marsupilami, known in some places as Kokomiko. |
| Page 36, Panel 5 |
Alea jacta est = the die is cast (Julius Caesar) |
| Page 39, Panel 10 |
Is this a reference to Mohammed Ali's famous quote "I am the greatest"?? |
| Page 41, Panel 1 |
Ceneus = wedge shaped. |
| Page 1, Panel 3 |
The Germanic tribes attacked the Roman Empire quite a bit. Alaric
captured Rome in 410 AD. |
