Sic Semper Tyrannis
Sic Semper Tyrannis The Seal of Virginia Tech, my alma mater, prominently features an obverse of Virtue defeating Tyranny. The standing allegorical female figure of Virtue is shown having vanquished Tyranny, symbolized by a fallen king at her feet. She has an exposed breast in the manner of classical depictions of Amazons. The scene is adopted from the Flag and Seal of the State of Virginia that has its origins in the American Revolution of 1776. The motto shown on the seal, Sic Semper Tyrannis, means "Thus always to tyrants." It is only slightly ironic that Virginia is named after Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen because she never married. During ancient classical times of Greece and Rome Tyrants were political leaders who seized power by illegal means, but usually enjoyed widespread support among the masses. The poor and middle-classes of ancient Greece and Rome preferred Tyrants to the ruling monarchs or aristocracy. Nevertheless, by late an...