12. Monument to the fallen in World War I
The white marble plaque carries 72 carved names showing that the fallen and the deceased came from various parts of the monarchy. Under the cross pattée on the top, there is an inscription:
Dic hospes domi nos hic videsse iacentes
Dum sanctis patriae legibus obsequimur!
1914l–1918
(Stranger, go tell at home that you saw us lying here,
since we followed the sacred laws of the fatherland!)
This is a record of one of the most famous battles of the ancient Greek world, the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Due to Ephialtes’ betrayal, all soldiers of the legendary Spartan military leader Leonidas fell in battle with the Persians. That is why this battle represents the highest ideal and unconditional devotion and loyalty of soldiers to their homeland.
The Ptuj monument was erected by the General Organization of War Invalids, Widows and Orphans of the Ptuj Trust. The monument was erected when Anton Sovré was the president of the society and as a great expert in classical literature, the choice of the inscription on the monument can be attributed to him.
