Quotes About Libations

The Genius populi Romani holds the patera for libations (sometimes in front of a lit altar) and the horn of plenty; these were attributes of the piety and felicity that symbolised Rome's vocation embodied by the emperor Pius Felix, two titles that had been added to his description since the time of Commodus.

From the cultic point of view, the consequences were not fundamentally alien to tradition. Oaths were sworn by the genius of the master, and just as that of the paterfamilias was honoured in domestic lararia, henceforward Augustus's 'Genius' had his place in private chapels. But the veiled genius, who exemplified piety with his patera for libations and promised happiness with his horn of plenty, was often replaced by the sovereign's picture.

and poured libations out to the everlasting gods who never die — to Athena first of all, the daughter of Zeus with flashing sea-grey eyes — and the ship went plunging all night long and through the dawn (R. Fagles translation)

All running gear secure in the swift black craft, they set up bowls and brimmed them high with wine and poured libations out to the everlasting gods who never die—to Athena first of all, the daughter of Zeus with flashing sea-gray eyes— and the ship went plunging all night long and through the dawn.

Most of the men regarded Europe as a wine list. In their mental geography Rheims, Rhine, Moselle, Bordeaux, Champagne, or Würzburg were not localities but libations.

Think of the power we could have if all the energy and effort in the world – or maybe even just your energy and effort? – that goes into drinking were put into resisting, building, creating. Try adding up all the money anarchists in your community have spent on corporate libations, and picture how much musical equipment or bail money or food it could have paid for – instead of funding their war against all of us.

Sorrows will multiply to those who chase other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood, or speak their names with my lips.