Laletania

Latin

Alternative forms

Etymology

The latinized forms Laeetani, Iacetani, Lacetani and Laletani are known, borrowed from local demonyms, possibly via Ancient Greek. Of the four, the former two have some epigraphic finds matching them, so modern translators and lexicographers tend to prefer them over Laletania and Laletani.

Proper noun

Laletania f

(Ancient Rome, geography) A historical region in modern Catalonia, northeastern Spain, named by the Romans after its local peoples
- Martial (c. 86) D. R. Shackleton Bailey, transl., Martial: Epigrams (Spectacles, Books 1-5) (Loeb Classical Library) (in Latin), published 1993, →ISBN, page 60, line 1.26.9
  a copone tibi faex Laletana petatur,
  
  si plus quam decies, Sextiliane, bibis.
  Ask an innkeeper for Laletanian lees if you take more than ten drinks, Sextilianus.
- idem, 1.49.22
  at cum December canus et bruma impotens
  
  Aquilone rauco mugiet,
  
  aprica repetes Tarraconis litora
  
  tuamque Laletaniam.
  
  ibi illigatas mollibus dammas plagis
  
  mactabis et vernas apros
  
  leporemque forti callidum rumpes equo -
  
  cervos relinques vilieo.
  And when rimy December and winter wild shall howl with the hoarse North Wind, you will go back to the sunny shores of Tarraco and your own Laletania. a There you will slaughter deer snared in soft-meshed toils and native boars and run the cunning hare to death with your stout horse (stags you will leave to the bailiff).