The A testa alta

    The A testa alta (literally "With high head") is a slogan and a mindset that has been adopted by many Italian politicians, celebrities, and ordinary people in the face of adversity, challenges, and scandals. It expresses a sense of pride, resilience, and defiance against those who try to undermine or attack them. The phrase has been used in various contexts, such as sports, entertainment, and politics.

    Origin and meaning

    The origin of the phrase is not clear, but some sources trace it back to the ancient Roman poet Horace, who wrote in his Odes: "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" ("It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country"). The full verse reads: "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori: / mors et fugacem persequitur virum / nec parcit inbellis iuventae / poplitibus timidove tergo" ("It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country: / death pursues the man who flees / and spares not the hamstrings or cowardly backs / of battle-shy youths"). The phrase "nec parcit inbellis iuventae / poplitibus timidove tergo" can be translated as "nor does he spare the cowardly youth / who walks with his head high" . This suggests that Horace was praising the courage and dignity of those who face death with honor, rather than fleeing or cowering in fear.




The A Testa Alta