LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum

Exēgī monumentum aere perennius

“I have built a monument more lasting than bronze”

EXEGI · MONVMENTVM · AERE · PERENNIVS

Classical: the author's own words

Horace, Odes 3.30.1

The proud first line of the poem that closes Horace's first three books of odes.

Word by word

  1. Exēgīexigō -eredrive out; collect1st sg. perf. act. ind.
  2. monumentummonumentum -ī n.reminder, memorialsg. nom.
  3. aereaes -ris n.copper, bronzesg. abl.
  4. perenniusunknown form

Using it as a motto or tattoo

Latin endings carry gender and number, so a saying about one person may need changing for another. Check your own version, or have three new ones composed, on the motto desk.

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Quick answers

What does “Exegi monumentum aere perennius” mean?
“Exēgī monumentum aere perennius” means “I have built a monument more lasting than bronze”. The proud first line of the poem that closes Horace's first three books of odes.
Who said “Exegi monumentum aere perennius”?
Horace, Odes 3.30.1.

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