“Colpire” un trattato - “Tagliare” un patto. Da Foedus ferire a To strike a treaty

Abstract

This paper examines the phraseology used to describe the conclusion of a pact in antiquity. An analysis of Latin literary corpora reveals a high frequency of verbs meaning “to strike/cut’’ in conjunction with foedus to indicate the conclusion of an agreement. A metonymic process is thus highlighted whereby a verb designating a part of the complex procedure of swearing oaths for pacts comes to indicate the conclusion of the treaty itself. The same process is also observed in the Greek, Anatolian, and Semitic worlds, suggesting a common underlying origin. A similar metonymic shift is observed in the English expressions “to strike a treaty”, “a deal”, and “a bargain”, attested at least since the 16th century. The expression “to strike hands”, used to mark the conclusion of an agreement, which recalls an ancient practice documented in both the Greek and Roman cultures, may have contributed to this particular use of “to strike”.