Terminus Est
Encyclopedia
Terminus Est is a sword
in the science fiction
series The Book of the New Sun
by Gene Wolfe
. It is wielded by Severian
, a torturer and the narrator
of the series.
Terminus Est is described as being "Light to raise, weighty to descend," by Master Palaemon. This is due to (in addition to the obvious ethical quandary, in that raising the sword causes no harm, but the descending stroke ends a life by decapitation) a channel in the spine of the blade, containing liquid hydrargyrum, another name for mercury
. (Wolfe makes use of obscure terms from lingua Latina and ελληνικά (Hellenika)
in many of his works, and in the New Sun Cycle additionally makes heavy use of Français and Español.) Given the fact the novel's text is described as having been translated from "a language that has not yet achieved existence", the substance referred to may not in fact be mercury, although its properties would seem to suggest that it is. The channel would have been extremely difficult to fabricate: the usual techniques of forging
would have crushed it. However, a simple possibility is that the sword was forged and then the channel drilled, especially before quenching and heat hardening.
In addition, the melting point
of iron is 1811 K (1538 °C, or 2800 °F), which is far above the boiling point
of mercury
(629.88 K, 356.73 °C, or 674.11 °F)), which would complicate the task of sealing the mercury into the channel. Terminus Est is mentioned several times in the book as being able to be removed from its hilt, and especially after it is destroyed, Severian removes the shards from the hilt and keeps the furniture. This indicates a Japanese style of construction with hilt independent of sword tang. A simple means of sealing the mercury into the sword would be to employ a plug or screw in the end of the tang. This could easily be hammered over once inserted so that the edges of the tang overlap and trap in the plug. All of this would be covered over by the sword furniture and could have been accomplished with well-below-modern levels of technology.
During the course of Severian's travels Terminus Est plays a vital role, alternately saving his life and placing it in peril. Shortly after leaving the Citadel of Nessus, Severian is caught in a ploy masterminded by Agia and her twin brother Agilus, designed to deprive him of his sword and belongings after he loses a duel to the disguised Agilus. Luckily, Severian survives the duel on the Sanguinary Fields (the portion of Nessus set aside for duels), even after being struck by a poisoned leaf of an avern (a plant whose viciously sharp, envenomed leaves were used as dueling weapons) because he is carrying "The Claw of the Conciliator", which has the ability (among others) to revive the dead by folding time back to when the dead person or thing was still alive. Agia becomes a major character in the series, seeking revenge on Severian for the death of her brother.
Terminus Est is described as having been one of the last works of a famous swordsmith—so in addition to its inherent utility, it is also an antique; Agia describes it as being worth ten times the value of her shop and its inventory.
The sword is double-edged, having both a "male" and "female" side, designed to sever only male heads with one edge and only female heads with the other. Severian takes meticulous care of the sword, always cleaning, oiling, and sharpening the blade before and after an execution, to the point where he uses Terminus Est to shave with, forgoing a razor.
It resembles a Sword of Justice
, which was designed solely for the purpose of execution. Just like this sword, Terminus Est has a square end and therefore cannot be used as a thrusting weapon.
Terminus Est is eventually destroyed while Severian wields it in battle. This occurs during his fight against Baldanders, his former traveling companion. When Terminus Est strikes the massive and bizarre mace Baldanders wields, which seems to be tuned to the resonance frequency at which Terminus Est would shatter, both weapons are destroyed.
Upon the destruction of Terminus Est, Severian recovers the hilt of the shattered blade, later returning it to Master Palaemon upon his triumphant return to the Citadel at the close of the series.
as "This is the end", or literally "It is the end." However, Severian interprets the phrase to mean "this is the line of division," and Typhon translates it as "this is the place of parting."
While it is not strictly in accordance with the grammar of the original Latin, it might perhaps be considered appropriate by some to rephrase the translation "This is the end" as "It is finished." This adjustment would provide a further nod to Christian symbolism, as in the section below.
it symbolizes resurrection. Master Gurloes's iron phallus
was also a torture instrument, but phallic images have long been used to symbolize fertility and therefore life.
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
in the science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
series The Book of the New Sun
The Book of the New Sun
The Book of the New Sun is a novel in four parts written by science fiction and fantasy author Gene Wolfe. It chronicles the journey and ascent to power of Severian, a disgraced journeyman torturer who rises to the position of Autarch, the one ruler of the free world...
by Gene Wolfe
Gene Wolfe
Gene Wolfe is an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He is noted for his dense, allusive prose as well as the strong influence of his Catholic faith, to which he converted after marrying into the religion. He is a prolific short story writer and a novelist, and has won many awards in the...
. It is wielded by Severian
Severian
Severian is the narrator and main character of Gene Wolfe's four-volume novel The Book of the New Sun, as well as its sequel, The Urth of the New Sun. He is a Journeyman of the Guild of Torturers who is exiled after showing mercy to one of his clients.Severian claims to have perfect memory...
, a torturer and the narrator
Narrator
A narrator is, within any story , the fictional or non-fictional, personal or impersonal entity who tells the story to the audience. When the narrator is also a character within the story, he or she is sometimes known as the viewpoint character. The narrator is one of three entities responsible for...
of the series.
Terminus Est and Severian
In the Shadow of the Torturer, after Severian is expelled from his guild and the city of Nessus for showing mercy to one of his charges, he is sent north to serve as a carnifex in a different city. A carnifex is an executioner, and may also perform excruciations (torture). Officially, Severian remains a journeyman torturer, to conceal the disgrace he has brought upon the guild. Before Severian leaves, Master Palaemon gives him Terminus Est. A sharp, intimidating sword, it serves as a symbol of his authority and as a deadly weapon. Despite its utility, the sword is apparently extremely ostentatious, as "art had been lavished upon her," according to the narrator.Terminus Est is described as being "Light to raise, weighty to descend," by Master Palaemon. This is due to (in addition to the obvious ethical quandary, in that raising the sword causes no harm, but the descending stroke ends a life by decapitation) a channel in the spine of the blade, containing liquid hydrargyrum, another name for mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
. (Wolfe makes use of obscure terms from lingua Latina and ελληνικά (Hellenika)
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
in many of his works, and in the New Sun Cycle additionally makes heavy use of Français and Español.) Given the fact the novel's text is described as having been translated from "a language that has not yet achieved existence", the substance referred to may not in fact be mercury, although its properties would seem to suggest that it is. The channel would have been extremely difficult to fabricate: the usual techniques of forging
Forging
Forging is a manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using localized compressive forces. Forging is often classified according to the temperature at which it is performed: '"cold," "warm," or "hot" forging. Forged parts can range in weight from less than a kilogram to 580 metric tons...
would have crushed it. However, a simple possibility is that the sword was forged and then the channel drilled, especially before quenching and heat hardening.
In addition, the melting point
Melting point
The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. At the melting point the solid and liquid phase exist in equilibrium. The melting point of a substance depends on pressure and is usually specified at standard atmospheric pressure...
of iron is 1811 K (1538 °C, or 2800 °F), which is far above the boiling point
Boiling point
The boiling point of an element or a substance is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the liquid....
of mercury
Mercury (element)
Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It is also known as quicksilver or hydrargyrum...
(629.88 K, 356.73 °C, or 674.11 °F)), which would complicate the task of sealing the mercury into the channel. Terminus Est is mentioned several times in the book as being able to be removed from its hilt, and especially after it is destroyed, Severian removes the shards from the hilt and keeps the furniture. This indicates a Japanese style of construction with hilt independent of sword tang. A simple means of sealing the mercury into the sword would be to employ a plug or screw in the end of the tang. This could easily be hammered over once inserted so that the edges of the tang overlap and trap in the plug. All of this would be covered over by the sword furniture and could have been accomplished with well-below-modern levels of technology.
During the course of Severian's travels Terminus Est plays a vital role, alternately saving his life and placing it in peril. Shortly after leaving the Citadel of Nessus, Severian is caught in a ploy masterminded by Agia and her twin brother Agilus, designed to deprive him of his sword and belongings after he loses a duel to the disguised Agilus. Luckily, Severian survives the duel on the Sanguinary Fields (the portion of Nessus set aside for duels), even after being struck by a poisoned leaf of an avern (a plant whose viciously sharp, envenomed leaves were used as dueling weapons) because he is carrying "The Claw of the Conciliator", which has the ability (among others) to revive the dead by folding time back to when the dead person or thing was still alive. Agia becomes a major character in the series, seeking revenge on Severian for the death of her brother.
Terminus Est is described as having been one of the last works of a famous swordsmith—so in addition to its inherent utility, it is also an antique; Agia describes it as being worth ten times the value of her shop and its inventory.
The sword is double-edged, having both a "male" and "female" side, designed to sever only male heads with one edge and only female heads with the other. Severian takes meticulous care of the sword, always cleaning, oiling, and sharpening the blade before and after an execution, to the point where he uses Terminus Est to shave with, forgoing a razor.
It resembles a Sword of Justice
Sword of Justice
A Sword of Justice, or executioner's sword, was used by trained executioners for carrying out capital punishment in many cultures. Given their special 'ceremonial' purpose, they were usually very well-made of the highest quality metal and were extremely sharp...
, which was designed solely for the purpose of execution. Just like this sword, Terminus Est has a square end and therefore cannot be used as a thrusting weapon.
Terminus Est is eventually destroyed while Severian wields it in battle. This occurs during his fight against Baldanders, his former traveling companion. When Terminus Est strikes the massive and bizarre mace Baldanders wields, which seems to be tuned to the resonance frequency at which Terminus Est would shatter, both weapons are destroyed.
Upon the destruction of Terminus Est, Severian recovers the hilt of the shattered blade, later returning it to Master Palaemon upon his triumphant return to the Citadel at the close of the series.
Other meanings
Terminus Est is commonly translated from the LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
as "This is the end", or literally "It is the end." However, Severian interprets the phrase to mean "this is the line of division," and Typhon translates it as "this is the place of parting."
While it is not strictly in accordance with the grammar of the original Latin, it might perhaps be considered appropriate by some to rephrase the translation "This is the end" as "It is finished." This adjustment would provide a further nod to Christian symbolism, as in the section below.
Symbolism
Severian describes Terminus Est several times as a "paterissa" or cross (the sword has long, straight guards and is carried over the shoulder, tip-downward) and once as an "iron phallus" (an image suggested by the fluid-filled channel inside the blade.) The cross is of course an instrument of torture and death, but in ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
it symbolizes resurrection. Master Gurloes's iron phallus
Phallus
A phallus is an erect penis, a penis-shaped object such as a dildo, or a mimetic image of an erect penis. Any object that symbolically resembles a penis may also be referred to as a phallus; however, such objects are more often referred to as being phallic...
was also a torture instrument, but phallic images have long been used to symbolize fertility and therefore life.