Regarding the object-- I have no direct knowledge of what it may have been used for, yet I believe the inscription is indeed Latin-- The word "Maximilianus" seems a no-brainer.
I do know that throughout history written Latin words have often been abbreviated-- the language is highly inflected, and Latin writers presume their readers will understand the meaning of the words through context. Based on my own familiarity with Latin, here is my assumptive translation:
Pot is a common abbreviation meaning "power" or often "reign" or perhaps a powerful act or occurrence
Max is a common abbreviation meaning "maximum" although it could also be an abbreviation of the common name Maximilianus itself
Inv this abbreviation is more difficult, since there are very many Latin words beginning with these letters... Perhaps someone else knows?
Caes is possibly the commonly-used abbreviation/contraction from "ca[d]ere" a verb meaning to occur, to fall, or to die (When pronounced the letter "d" tends to disappear and this trend continues from spoken to written language).
Maximilianus The obvious historic connection of this common Latin name would be with any of the various royal Maximilians in Europe, Mexico, etc. regarding the date 1497. Altogether, to me it implies some sort of commemoration; I'm sure the pros can precisely identify this object.
EF
Linkback: You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login
http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,2159.msg22499.html#msg22499
|
« Last Edit: January 26, 2009, 08:12:48 am by edflower »
|
Logged
|
|