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These salutations are indirect forms of everyday spoken salutations (for greeting or
parting): khaire {XAI=RE} (singular), khairete {XAI/RETE} (plural), with the literal
meaning "Rejoice," "Fare well," "Hail."
Adverbs can be used to modify the greeting, e.g.:
polla {POLLA\} = many
pleista {PLEI=STA} = much
For example Nom Dat polla kharein {POLLA\ XAI/REIN} = "N sends D many
greetings."
In more formal (bureaucratic) correspondence the following was sometimes used:
<recipient-dat> para {PARA\} <sender-gen> = To <recipient> from <sender>.
For example,
Tois sebousi para Apolloniou
= To the Sebontes (Worshipful ones) from Apollonios
Latin
The ordinary Latin salutation comprises <sender-nom>, <recipient-dat> and a phrase,
which was often (extremely) abbreviated, stating that the sender says Salus (health,
well-being) to the recipient. The corresponding common spoken greeting would be
Salve (singular) or Salvete (plural) with the literal meanings "Be in good health" or "Be
well." The following will give the pattern of phrases used with <sender-nom> and
<recipient-dat>:
salutem dicit = says "salus," sends greetings
salutem. ("dicit" understood)
salutem plurimam (or multam) dicit = says "much salus," sends many greetings
S.P.D. = salutem plurimam dicit
S.D. = salutem dicit
S. = salutem
The order of the <sender-nom>, <recipient-dat> and the rest of the salutation can vary.
The verb dicit is commonly omitted, except in the abbreviated form (D.). Thus we have
written salutations such as these:
Cynndarae Apollonius salutem. (To Cynndara, Apollonius sends greetings.)
Areia S.P.D. Apollonio. (Areia sends many greetings to Apollonius)
Omnibus salutem dicit Apollonius. (Apollonius sends greeting to everyone)
In later times, any wish or promise might be expressed by a phrase in the accusative
case (analogous to salutem). For example, bonam fortunam (good fortune) or
excusationes (apologies).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------III. Formula Valetudinis
General
Greek
Latin
General
The salutation was often followed by a wish of good health, which might be combined
syntactically with the salutation.
Greek
A short wish might be appended to the salutation, and so would also be an infinitive.
For example, after khairein:
kai errosthai {KAI\ E)RRW=SQAI} = and wishes soundness/health
The recipient's name in the vocative could be added to these. The closing wish for
health might be preceded by ta d' alla {TA\ T' A)/LLA} = for the rest. So, typically,
ta d' alla, seautou epimelou hin hugiaineis
= For the rest, take care to stay well.
Finally,
erromenon se hoi theoi diaphulattoien = May the Gods guard your well-being.
Latin
The Latin closings are essentially translations of the Greek:
vale (sing.), valete (plur.) = be sound, vigorous, healthy; fare well.
cura ut valeas (sing.), curate ut valeatis (plur.)
= take care that you fare well.
di te incolumem custodiant (sing.), di vos incolumes custodiant (plur.)
= May the Gods guard your safety.
Adverbs can be used for modification, e.g. bene vale = good bye.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------V. References
Lanham, Carol Dana. Salutatio Formulas in Latin Letters to 1200: Syntax, Style, and
Theory. Munchen: Arbeo-Gesellschaft, 1975, pp. 7-22, 69-75.
White, John L. Light from Ancient Letters. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986, pp. 193213.