“What is due to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull” - in Latin this winged phrase sounds like Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi. It is quite common in the literature, sometimes it can be heard in colloquial speech. The one who said: “What is due to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull”, and about the correct interpretation of this phraseology will be described in detail in the article.
Meaning and Authorship
The meaning of “what is due to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull” is as follows. If any person or several is allowed some action or some right is given, this does not mean at all that the same thing is allowed to all other people.
It is believed that the author of this phrase is Publius Terence Arf, a Latin playwright who lived in the 2nd century BC. e. He was a representative of the ancient Roman comedy, he died young and managed to write six comedies. Of these, all have survived to this day.
Medieval Paraphrase
But it should be noted that in the comedy written by Terence called “Punishing himself” there is a slightly different phrase that looks like “It is allowed to others, but not allowed to you”. According to researchers, the phrase “what is supposed to be for Jupiter is not allowed for the bull”, the meaning of which is considered here, is a medieval paraphrase of the original, taken from the comedy Terence.
The aphorism contains a hint of a myth that existed in the ancient Greek and Roman traditions, the characters of which are Europe and Jupiter (Zeus - among the Greeks). This is a myth in which God, taking the form of a bull, kidnaps Europe.
“What is due to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull” - the meaning of this expression will be more understandable if we consider the myth associated with it and its characters.
Supreme god
Initially, Jupiter was revered by the Italians as a god commanding heavenly light. Sacrifices were made to him on the tops of hills and mountains. In the Roman Capitol, a white sheep was such a victim. The Romans, like all Italians, regarded lightning as signs of this deity. The places where they fell into the ground were considered sacred. Jupiter fertilized the earth with rains, and it produced plants. He was especially revered by winegrowers.
A number of the most important things depended on this deity, who later became supreme. It is about the order in the world, the change of seasons and months, as well as day and night. Jupiter from heaven watched all the events taking place on earth. No crime could hide from him, being left without appropriate punishment. An oath in the name of Jupiter could not be broken under fear of heavenly punishment.
Under him, as under the supreme god, there was advice consisting of other gods. Solving earthly affairs, he used the augurs, through whom he sent people signs of his will. Jupiter was the god of all the Romans, their state, its power and domination over other peoples.
Its main temple was located in the center of the Eternal City, on Capitol Hill. In this regard, he had an additional epithet - Capitol. The temple was the center of the religious life of the entire state. Cities subordinate to Rome on the Capitol offered him sacrifices. They also erected temples on the ground for him.
The Romans believed that it was this god who was the protector of their laws and statehood, their heavenly patron. During the empire, Jupiter was regarded as the patron saint of imperial power. The Capitol Temple held the most important events in society. We are talking about sacrifices, the oath of new consuls, the first meeting of the Senate in the year.
After the sunset of the Roman Empire, Jupiter began to be almost completely identified with Zeus. Both the first and the second were often depicted on the throne, with an eagle, beard, with a scepter and lightning, full of strength and dignity.
Continuing to study the meaning of “what is due to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull”, we turn to a direct examination of the myth with which this expression is associated.
The abduction of Europe
Jupiter (Zeus among the Greeks) became interested in Europe, which, according to one version, was the daughter of the Phoenician king. Presumably, her name is derived from the Phoenician word "sunset" and is associated with the west. The name and everything associated with this character is known precisely from the myth in question.
Before going to the girl, Jupiter turned into a white bull. When Europe and her friends frolic on the seashore, a bull appeared before her. He put her on his back and sped off with her to the island of Crete. The brothers of Europe went in search of her. They turned to the Delphic oracle of the god Apollo, but he said that they did not need to worry, and she was never found.
In Crete, Jupiter, having gotten rid of the image of a bull, became an attractive young man and after that he captured the Phoenician princess. Europe gave birth to three sons from him. Subsequently, she became the wife of the Cretan king Asterion, who could not have children. He bequeathed his dominion to the children of Europe born to Zeus, whom he adopted and raised.
Application
The meaning “what is supposed to be for Jupiter is not for the bull” was interpreted by Vladimir Putin in his speech at the Valdai Forum in 2014 as follows. The Russian president applied it in relation to the policy of our state, saying that the Russian bear would not ask anyone for permission.
The studied phrase can be used in the case when it is necessary to stop unreasonable claims by indicating the subordinate to his position. Or, when there is a comparison of social status, which is not in favor of the opponent.