Horace's Odes & Virgil's Aeneid -- Statue of King George II -- Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, UK
N 51° 29.019 W 000° 00.360
30U E 707874 N 5707862
A statue of King George II in Roman garb at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich is etched with two quotes from Horace's Odes
Waymark Code: WMT547
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 09/27/2016
Views: 2
This statue of King George II of England is located between King Charles Court and Queen Anne Court on the Old Royal Naval College grounds in Greenwich.
Carved in 1735 from a single block of marble, in the fashion of the age King George is dressed in a Roman General's uniform, but he holds the scepter and orb that are symbols of the British monarchy.
From the London Remembers website, the Latin AND English translations of the engraved words on the plinth are transcribed as follows: (visit link)
"{On the south face of plinth:}
PRINCIPI POTENTISSIMO
GEORGIO SECUNDO
BRITANNIARUM REGI
CUJUS AUSPICIIS ET PATROCINIO
AUGUSTISSIMUM HOC HOSPITIUM
AD SUBLEVANDOS MILITANTIUM IN CLASSE EMERITORIUM
LABORES A REGIS IPSIUS ANTECESSORIBUS FUNDATUM
AUCTIUS IN DIES ET SPLENDIDIUS EX(S)URGIT
JOHANNES JENNINGS EQUES
EJUSDEM HOSPITII PRAEFECTUS
ICONEM HANC PRO DEBITA SUA
ERGA PRINCIPEM REVERENTIA
ET PATRIAM CHARITATE
POSUIT
ANNO DOMINI
MDCCXXXV
[EN] “To the almighty emperor, King George II of Britain, under whose direction and patronage this magnificent hospital, established by the king’s own predecessors to alleviate the burdens of retired seamen, is rising up, expanding and becoming more splendid every day. Sir John Jennings, governor of the same establishment, placed this image in due reverence for the King and for the love of his country in the year of our Lord 1735.”
{On the east face of plinth:}
HIC REQUIES SENECTAE
HIS MODUS LASSO MARIS ET VIARUM
MILITIAEQ(UE)
[EN]
“Here is a rest for old age, an end for someone who is tired of sailing the seas and fighting.” From Horace’s Odes (Book 2 Part 6).
{On the plinth, north (river) face:}
HIC AMES DICI PATER ATQ(UE) PRINCEPS
[EN] {“Here may you delight in being called our father and prince” From Horace’s Odes (Book 1 Part 2) and was originally addressed to Emperor Augustus.}
{relief carving of the Royal Standard 1714-1801}
IMPERIUM PELAGI
[EN] “The dominion of the sea”
{On the west face of plinth:}
FESSOS TUTO PLACIDISSIMA PORTU ACCIPIT
[EN] “This most peaceful place welcomes those who are weary to its safe haven.” From Virgil’s Aeneid (Book 3 Chapter 4).""
Address:
between King Charles Court and Queen Anne Court
Old Royal Naval College
Greenwich
London
UK
Website: [Web Link]
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