Translation of the song Delenda Carthago artist Franco Battiato

Per terre ignote vanno le nostre legioni

Our legions go through unexplored provinces

A fondare colonie a immagine di Roma

and create colonies in the image of Rome.

Delenda Carthago

Carthage must be destroyed.

Con le dita colorate di henna su patrizi triclini

With henna tainted fingers, laying on patrician's triclinia

Si gustano carni speziate d'aromi d'Oriente;

Some savour meat sorts flavoured with Oriental spices ;

In calici finemente screziati frusciano i vini,

Wine rustles in finely etched goblets

Le rose, il miele.

as well as roses and honey.

Nei circhi e negli stadi

In circuses and arenae

S'ammassano turbe stravolte

Greatly troubled crowds

A celebrare riti di sangue.

gather to celebrate blood sacrifice.

...Conferendis pecuniis

...To collect the money...

Ergo sollicitae tu causa, pecunia, vitae!

So money you’re the cause of a troubled life!

Per te immaturum mortis adimus iter;

It’s because of you we go death’s path too soon:

Tu vitiis hominum crudelia pabula praebes,

you offer human vices cruel nurture,

Semina curarum de capite orta tuo.

from your source the seeds of sorrow spring.