murum aries attigit - the ram has touched the wall. It refers to the policy of not allowing any mercy or surrender to the occupants of a fortification once the battering ram begins the assault on the gates. This policy was to act as a deterrent against resistance to those about to be besieged. It was an incentive for anyone who was not absolutely sure that they could withstand the assault to surrender immediately, rather than face the possibility of total destruction. - Wikipedia
Latin phrase I came across in a letter by great and wonderful Marc Randazza, who single-handedly defeated the evil Righthaven and their copyright shakedown scheme. Via Tam.
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