Mafia 19. Trojan War.

With a shield or on a shield

From Latin: Aut cum scuto, aut in scuto [aut cum scuto, aut in scuto].

The original source of the expression is the work of the ancient Greek historian Plutarch (c. 45 – c. 127), “Sayings of Spartan Women,” in which he recounts how the Spartan woman Gorgo, seeing off her son to battle with enemies, handed him a shield and said: “With it or on it.” Later, this expression began to be used (for greater clarity) in its well-known form. In other words, the Spartan woman Gorgo wished her son either to win or to die (according to custom, the killed were usually carried off the battlefield on their shields). She would not allow captivity or flight for her Spartan son.