Meaning of P.R.S. Aes Triplex in Heinlein's Space Cadet

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I picked up an old library copy of the illustrated Scribner's edition Robert Heinlein's Space Cadet and am having fun reading it and pondering the seemingly artless and unresolved juxtaposition of the 1940's-sexist first section of the book with the final section involving the matriarchal Venerian society. But I have a much simpler sci-fi trivia question to ask here.



What is the meaning of the name of the ship that is called P.R.S. Aes Triplex? I checked with my medievalist wife, and she told me "aes" was pronounced like English "ace," then looked up the word and found that it meant "bronze," or some related meaning involving bronze coins or payments. So "triple bronze?" Huh? I'm guessing that "triplex" somehow relates to the three planets with native intelligent life: Venus, Earth, and Mars.






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  • Awesome question. I did not expect this answer.
    – James McLeod
    2 hours ago
















up vote
5
down vote

favorite
1












I picked up an old library copy of the illustrated Scribner's edition Robert Heinlein's Space Cadet and am having fun reading it and pondering the seemingly artless and unresolved juxtaposition of the 1940's-sexist first section of the book with the final section involving the matriarchal Venerian society. But I have a much simpler sci-fi trivia question to ask here.



What is the meaning of the name of the ship that is called P.R.S. Aes Triplex? I checked with my medievalist wife, and she told me "aes" was pronounced like English "ace," then looked up the word and found that it meant "bronze," or some related meaning involving bronze coins or payments. So "triple bronze?" Huh? I'm guessing that "triplex" somehow relates to the three planets with native intelligent life: Venus, Earth, and Mars.






robert-a-heinlein







share|improve this question





















  • Awesome question. I did not expect this answer.
    – James McLeod
    2 hours ago












up vote
5
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
5
down vote

favorite
1






1





I picked up an old library copy of the illustrated Scribner's edition Robert Heinlein's Space Cadet and am having fun reading it and pondering the seemingly artless and unresolved juxtaposition of the 1940's-sexist first section of the book with the final section involving the matriarchal Venerian society. But I have a much simpler sci-fi trivia question to ask here.



What is the meaning of the name of the ship that is called P.R.S. Aes Triplex? I checked with my medievalist wife, and she told me "aes" was pronounced like English "ace," then looked up the word and found that it meant "bronze," or some related meaning involving bronze coins or payments. So "triple bronze?" Huh? I'm guessing that "triplex" somehow relates to the three planets with native intelligent life: Venus, Earth, and Mars.






robert-a-heinlein







share|improve this question













I picked up an old library copy of the illustrated Scribner's edition Robert Heinlein's Space Cadet and am having fun reading it and pondering the seemingly artless and unresolved juxtaposition of the 1940's-sexist first section of the book with the final section involving the matriarchal Venerian society. But I have a much simpler sci-fi trivia question to ask here.



What is the meaning of the name of the ship that is called P.R.S. Aes Triplex? I checked with my medievalist wife, and she told me "aes" was pronounced like English "ace," then looked up the word and found that it meant "bronze," or some related meaning involving bronze coins or payments. So "triple bronze?" Huh? I'm guessing that "triplex" somehow relates to the three planets with native intelligent life: Venus, Earth, and Mars.






robert-a-heinlein




robert-a-heinlein






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asked 3 hours ago









Ben Crowell

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  • Awesome question. I did not expect this answer.
    – James McLeod
    2 hours ago
















  • Awesome question. I did not expect this answer.
    – James McLeod
    2 hours ago















Awesome question. I did not expect this answer.
– James McLeod
2 hours ago




Awesome question. I did not expect this answer.
– James McLeod
2 hours ago










1 Answer
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This is a reference to Horace, Ode 1.3:




Illi robur et aes triplex circa pectus erat
qui fragilem truci commisit pelago ratem primus




My Latin is rusty, but basically "the first man to sail fragile ships in the deep ocean wore armor of oak and three layers of bronze around his chest.



The term "aes triplex" becomes from this a metaphor for courage, especially relevant to the Space Patrol.






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  • Awesome answer. I probably read this first ca. 1974, wondered but never knew the answer until now.
    – Ben Crowell
    2 hours ago










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1 Answer
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1 Answer
1






active

oldest

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active

oldest

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active

oldest

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up vote
6
down vote



accepted










This is a reference to Horace, Ode 1.3:




Illi robur et aes triplex circa pectus erat
qui fragilem truci commisit pelago ratem primus




My Latin is rusty, but basically "the first man to sail fragile ships in the deep ocean wore armor of oak and three layers of bronze around his chest.



The term "aes triplex" becomes from this a metaphor for courage, especially relevant to the Space Patrol.






share|improve this answer




















  • Awesome answer. I probably read this first ca. 1974, wondered but never knew the answer until now.
    – Ben Crowell
    2 hours ago














up vote
6
down vote



accepted










This is a reference to Horace, Ode 1.3:




Illi robur et aes triplex circa pectus erat
qui fragilem truci commisit pelago ratem primus




My Latin is rusty, but basically "the first man to sail fragile ships in the deep ocean wore armor of oak and three layers of bronze around his chest.



The term "aes triplex" becomes from this a metaphor for courage, especially relevant to the Space Patrol.






share|improve this answer




















  • Awesome answer. I probably read this first ca. 1974, wondered but never knew the answer until now.
    – Ben Crowell
    2 hours ago












up vote
6
down vote



accepted







up vote
6
down vote



accepted






This is a reference to Horace, Ode 1.3:




Illi robur et aes triplex circa pectus erat
qui fragilem truci commisit pelago ratem primus




My Latin is rusty, but basically "the first man to sail fragile ships in the deep ocean wore armor of oak and three layers of bronze around his chest.



The term "aes triplex" becomes from this a metaphor for courage, especially relevant to the Space Patrol.






share|improve this answer












This is a reference to Horace, Ode 1.3:




Illi robur et aes triplex circa pectus erat
qui fragilem truci commisit pelago ratem primus




My Latin is rusty, but basically "the first man to sail fragile ships in the deep ocean wore armor of oak and three layers of bronze around his chest.



The term "aes triplex" becomes from this a metaphor for courage, especially relevant to the Space Patrol.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 2 hours ago









James McLeod

2,04211216




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  • Awesome answer. I probably read this first ca. 1974, wondered but never knew the answer until now.
    – Ben Crowell
    2 hours ago
















  • Awesome answer. I probably read this first ca. 1974, wondered but never knew the answer until now.
    – Ben Crowell
    2 hours ago















Awesome answer. I probably read this first ca. 1974, wondered but never knew the answer until now.
– Ben Crowell
2 hours ago




Awesome answer. I probably read this first ca. 1974, wondered but never knew the answer until now.
– Ben Crowell
2 hours ago

















 

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