opima

The opima were the spoils which a Roman general could only win from the king, or general, of the enemy, whom he had slain with his own hands: and no more than three such examples are celebrated in the victorious ages of Rome.]

History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2 Edward Gibbon 1765

Called the spolia opima splendid spoils, this distinction went only to one historically attested Roman in the entire history of the republic.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Called the spolia opima splendid spoils, this distinction went only to one historically attested Roman in the entire history of the republic.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Called the spolia opima splendid spoils, this distinction went only to one historically attested Roman in the entire history of the republic.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

Called the spolia opima splendid spoils, this distinction went only to one historically attested Roman in the entire history of the republic.

The Spartacus War Barry Strauss 2009

All these great men were so completely highway robbers, that from the time of Romulus down to the buccaneers, the only question and concern were about the “spolia opima,” the pillage and plunder, the cows and oxen carried off by the hand of violence.

A Philosophical Dictionary 2007

I was in some trouble, for I feared I would not find all I needed at Hartford, and wished to make a trophy of my spolia opima.

The physiology of taste; or Transcendental gastronomy. Illustrated by anecdotes of distinguished artists and statesmen of both continents by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. Translated from the last Paris edition by Fayette Robinson. 2004

The farmer had the carcass at spolia opima, and paid for the fowl with a good grace.

The physiology of taste; or Transcendental gastronomy. Illustrated by anecdotes of distinguished artists and statesmen of both continents by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. Translated from the last Paris edition by Fayette Robinson. 2004

Having thus obtained the victory, he did not much regard the punctilios of chivalry; but, taking it for granted he had a right to make the most of his advantage, resolved to carry off the spolia opima.

The Life and Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves 2004

The victor, having won the spolia opima, granted him his life, on condition that he would on his knees supplicate his pardon, acknowledge himself inferior to his conqueror in every virtue and qualification, and promise for the future to merit his favour by submission and respect.

The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle 2004