Torquemada
Ataraxia Lyrics


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Non ignara mali homo homini lupus,
Diligite iustitiam qui iundicatis terram.
"Quis, quid ubi, cur, quomodo quando?"
"Quis, quid ubi, quibus auxiliis?"
"Nec me pudet fateri nescire quid nesciam."
"Habemus confitentem reum!"




Overall Meaning

Ataraxia's song Torquemada is an ode to one of the most infamous figures in the Spanish Inquisition. The song begins with the Latin phrase "Non ignara mali homo homini lupus," which translates to "Man is a wolf to man, not unaware of evil." This phrase is a reflection on the cruelty of the Inquisition, which was responsible for the torture, imprisonment, and execution of thousands of people accused of heresy, witchcraft, and other crimes against the Church.


The next line, "Diligite iustitiam qui iundicatis terram," translates to "Love justice, you who judge the earth." This is a plea to those in power to govern with fairness and justice, rather than using their authority to oppress and persecute others. The following lines, "Quis, quid ubi, cur, quomodo quando?" and "Quis, quid ubi, quibus auxiliis?" are questions that were commonly used during Inquisition trials to extract confessions from the accused. The final line, "Nec me pudet fateri nescire quid nesciam," roughly translates to "I am not ashamed to confess the extent of my ignorance." This is a nod to the fact that even the most learned scholars of the time were often ignorant of the true nature of the crimes for which people were being accused.


Overall, Torquemada is a powerful and haunting reflection on one of the darkest periods of human history.



Line by Line Meaning

Non ignara mali homo homini lupus,
In times of hardship, people can become ruthless towards one another,


Diligite iustitiam qui iundicatis terram.
Those who uphold justice in society are worth cherishing,


"Quis, quid ubi, cur, quomodo quando?"
Asking the right questions is key to understanding a situation,


"Quis, quid ubi, quibus auxiliis?"
By questioning the details of a situation, one can uncover the truth,


"Nec me pudet fateri nescire quid nesciam."
It is not shameful to admit what one does not know,


"Habemus confitentem reum!"
We have a confessed offender!




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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