Imperator scit: “Pax est melior quam bellum.”

to be

Breakdown of Imperator scit: “Pax est melior quam bellum.”

• imperator: the emperor
• bellum: the war
• pax: the peace
• scire: to know
• melior: better
• quam: than

Questions & Answers about Imperator scit: “Pax est melior quam bellum.”

Is it normal in Latin to introduce direct speech with a colon, as in Imperator scit: Pax est melior quam bellum?

Yes. It's a stylistic choice to show that the speaker (or writer) is quoting someone directly. Although you can also use other methods (like reported speech or using inquit), a colon is a common way to introduce a direct statement in Latin prose.

Why is Imperator in the nominative case?

In Latin, Imperator is the subject of the verb scit, so it must be in the nominative. The sentence structure is similar to English: “The Emperor knows.” Therefore, Imperator is simply “the Emperor” as the subject who is doing the knowing.

What is the function of melior here?

Melior is the comparative form of bonus (“good”). It indicates “better” in relation to bellum. Because it's a comparative adjective, it’s usually followed by quam when showing an explicit comparison, meaning better than.

Why do we use quam in the phrase melior quam bellum?

Latin uses quam with comparative adjectives to introduce the thing being compared. Here, melior compares pax with bellum, so bellum (war) is the thing peace is being pronounced “better than.”

Could the sentence also be expressed as an indirect statement without direct speech?

Yes. In indirect discourse, you might see Imperator scit pacem esse meliorem quam bellum. That construction uses the accusative-infinitive structure for reported information, whereas the example with a colon is presenting direct speech.