facilis descensus Averno

Latin

Etymology

Literally "The descent to Avernus is easy." From Virgil's Aeneid, with reference to Avernus, a metonym for the underworld and to Lake Avernus in Italy, a volcanic crater lake reputed to emit deadly vapors.

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈfa.ki.lis deːsˈken.sus aˈu̯er.noː/, [ˈfäkɪlʲɪs̠ d̪eːs̠ˈkẽːs̠ʊs̠ äˈu̯ɛrnoː]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈfa.t͡ʃi.lis deʃˈʃen.sus aˈver.no/, [ˈfäːt͡ʃilis d̪eʃˈʃɛnsus äˈvɛrno]

Proverb

facilis dēscensus Avernō

1. The path to hell is easy.
   • 29-19 B.C.E. — Virgil, Aeneis, Book VI, lines 124-127

     Talibus orabat dictis, arasque tenebat,
     cum sic orsa loqui vates: "Sate sanguine divom,
     Tros Anchisiade, facilis descensus Averno;
     noctes atque dies patet atri ianua Ditis;"

     Then thus replied the prophetess divine:
     "O goddess-born of great Anchises' line,
     The gates of hell are open night and day;
     Smooth the descent, and easy is the way:
     (loose translation by John Dryden, 1697)