is gratia or grates, the origin of our modern word “gratitude.” Etymologists
(Leumann 1937: 35; Moussy 1966: 49–56) associate the Latin terms closely with
the act of praise. In fact, the words gratiaand gratesare often coupled with laudes
(“praise”), as in this expression of thanksgiving in another Plautine play, “we offer
great praise and thanks” (Asinaria 545; for the seminal study of Plautine thanks-
giving prayers see Fraenkel 1922). Although sometimes interpreted as a synonymous
pair, the collocation points to the linking of words of praise with acts of sacrifice in
the ritual of thanksgiving (Moussy 1966: 53 – 4). By naming the deities and recount-
ing their deeds, the speaker praises divine power, an appropriate and necessary exchange
for a favor. For this reason, Hanno uses the term “deservedly” (merito) to describe
his thanksgiving. And yet his prayer is not a mercenary or legalistic act of exchange,
but rather a heartfelt act of happiness and joy. Therefore the English terms “thanks”
and “gratitude” are not inappropriate to describe this response.
Hymns
One of the most ancient prayers still in existence is one performed by the Arval
Priesthood and preserved in an early third-centuryad inscription. Despite the late-
ness of the inscription, its spelling and vocabulary attest its antiquity, dating at the
latest to the fourth century bc:Enos Lases iuuate,
<e>nos Lases iuuate,
enos Lases iuuate!
Neue lue rue Marma<r>sins in currere in pleores,
neue lue rue Marmar <si>ns in currere in pleores,
neue lue rue Marmar sins incurrere in pleores!
Satur fu, fere Mars! Limen <sa>li, sta berber!
Satur fu, fere Mars! Limen sali, sta berber!
Satur fu, fere Mars! Limen sali, sta berber!
<Sem>unis alternei aduocapit conctos,
semunis alternei aduocapit conctos,
semunis alternei aduocapit <conct>os!
Enos Marmor iuuato,
enos Marmor iuuato,
enos Ma<r>mor iuuato!
Triumpe, triumpe, triumpe, trium<pe, tri>umpe!
Lares, help us, (3 times)
and Marmor, do not allow disease and destruction to attack the multitude. (3 times)
Fierce Mars, be satisfied; leap the threshold and stay?. (3 times)
You (pl.) shall invoke all the Semones in alternate turns. (3 times)
Marmar, help us. (3 times)
Triumpe! (5 times)
(CIL6.2104 =CFA296)Performing the Sacred 243