this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2024
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[–] BlameTheAntifa@lemmy.world 22 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Ironically, it was the Gallic chief Brennus that reportedly said “Vae victis” after he sacked Rome.

When he defeated the Romans, he demanded a sum of gold as ransom. The Romans complained that his scales (used for weighing the gold) were unfair, so he threw his sword onto the scales to make it worse and then stated: “Vae victis” (woe to the defeated).