Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi
Encyclopedia
Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi is a Latin phrase, literally meaning "What is legitimate for Jove (Jupiter), is not legitimate for oxen." The phrase was created by Terence
, a playwright of the Roman Republic
in reference to the myth wherein Jupiter took the form of a bull to seduce Europa
. The phrase is often translated as "Gods may do what cattle may not". It indicates the existence of a double standard
(justifiable or otherwise), and essentially means "what is permitted to one person or group, is not permitted to everyone." It is also used as the maxim for victor's justice, where a State that wins a war tries and punishes the vanquished, while avoiding such procedures with their own personnel.
Terence
Publius Terentius Afer , better known in English as Terence, was a playwright of the Roman Republic, of North African descent. His comedies were performed for the first time around 170–160 BC. Terentius Lucanus, a Roman senator, brought Terence to Rome as a slave, educated him and later on,...
, a playwright of the Roman Republic
Roman Republic
The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and...
in reference to the myth wherein Jupiter took the form of a bull to seduce Europa
Europa (mythology)
In Greek mythology Europa was a Phoenician woman of high lineage, from whom the name of the continent Europe has ultimately been taken. The name Europa occurs in Hesiod's long list of daughters of primordial Oceanus and Tethys...
. The phrase is often translated as "Gods may do what cattle may not". It indicates the existence of a double standard
Double standard
A double standard is the unjust application of different sets of principles for similar situations. The concept implies that a single set of principles encompassing all situations is the desirable ideal. The term has been used in print since at least 1895...
(justifiable or otherwise), and essentially means "what is permitted to one person or group, is not permitted to everyone." It is also used as the maxim for victor's justice, where a State that wins a war tries and punishes the vanquished, while avoiding such procedures with their own personnel.