Tot aquarum tam multis necessariis molibus pyramidas...

English translation: You might compare the Pyramids—useless, to be sure—or the other idle but vaunted works of the Greeks

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Latin term or phrase:Tot aquarum tam multis necessariis molibus pyramidas...
English translation:You might compare the Pyramids—useless, to be sure—or the other idle but vaunted works of the Greeks
Entered by: Joseph Brazauskas

10:27 Jul 4, 2013
Latin to English translations [PRO]
History
Latin term or phrase: Tot aquarum tam multis necessariis molibus pyramidas...
This is a phrase written on the Pont del Diable, an aqueduct in Tarragona. I don't speak a word of Latin. Can anyone help, please? To English (any variant) or Spanish or Catalan.

Any help is greatly appreciated, even literal or partial translations.

I'm afraid if I use the Catalan translation, it will stray too far from the original.
Compara, si vols, amb les pedres tan nombroses i necessàries de tants aqüeductes, les supèrflues piràmides o les construccions dels grecs, famoses però inútils.
Here's the Google Translate of that Catalan text, which is faithful to the Catalan.
Compara, si quieres, con las piedras tan numerosas y necesarias de tantos acueductos, las superfluas pirámides o las construcciones de los griegos, famosas pero inútiles.

TIA

ORIG
Tot aquarum tam multis necessariis molibus pyramidas uidelicet otiosas compares aut cetera inertia sed fama celebrata opera Graecorum
S Ben Price
Spain
Local time: 14:55
You might compare the Pyramids—useless, to be sure—or the other idle but vaunted works of the Greeks
Explanation:
The sentence is from Frontinus, 'de aquaeductibus urbis Romae, 1.16:

"You might compare the Pyramids—useless, to be sure—or the other idle but famously vaunted works of the Greeks with so many indispensable constructions of so many aqueducts."

'Compares' is a potential subjunctive.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2013-07-04 15:02:09 GMT)
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The translation is my own, not ‘semi-official’ and based on another English translation, but made directly from Sex. Iulius Frontinus’ treatise ‘de aquaeductu urbis Romae’, Book 1, Chapter 16, ed. F. Krohn, Leipzig, 1922, which reads, “Tot aquarum tam multis necessariis molibus pyramidas videlicet otiosas compares aut cetera inertia sed fama celebrata opera Graecorum.” Frontinus was appointed ‘curator aquarum’ (‘water commissioner’) in 97 CE and held the post till his death.
Selected response from:

Joseph Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 09:55
Grading comment
Thanks, Joseph!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5You might compare the Pyramids—useless, to be sure—or the other idle but vaunted works of the Greeks
Joseph Brazauskas


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
You might compare the Pyramids—useless, to be sure—or the other idle but vaunted works of the Greeks


Explanation:
The sentence is from Frontinus, 'de aquaeductibus urbis Romae, 1.16:

"You might compare the Pyramids—useless, to be sure—or the other idle but famously vaunted works of the Greeks with so many indispensable constructions of so many aqueducts."

'Compares' is a potential subjunctive.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2013-07-04 15:02:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The translation is my own, not ‘semi-official’ and based on another English translation, but made directly from Sex. Iulius Frontinus’ treatise ‘de aquaeductu urbis Romae’, Book 1, Chapter 16, ed. F. Krohn, Leipzig, 1922, which reads, “Tot aquarum tam multis necessariis molibus pyramidas videlicet otiosas compares aut cetera inertia sed fama celebrata opera Graecorum.” Frontinus was appointed ‘curator aquarum’ (‘water commissioner’) in 97 CE and held the post till his death.

Joseph Brazauskas
United States
Local time: 09:55
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in SpanishSpanish
PRO pts in category: 24
Grading comment
Thanks, Joseph!
Notes to answerer
Asker: I have no experience in this area. I assume you mean it's from a book, and that is the chapter/section number. Can I consider this to be a "semi-official" translation then, i.e. one that has been published in the book in its translation to English?

Asker: OK, thank you very much for your help! :) This is will be put next to the aqueduct with the inscription. Cheers!

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