Can someone suggest a translation for a latin phrase?

Question

I saw a tattoo on a dead guy in a cheesy B-movie. The tattoo said "vae victus" and the cheesy movie detective said that it meant something like "woe unto the vanquished" in latin. Can anyone tell me if that's correct?

Answer 1

" "Vae victis" (or "Vae victus") is Latin for "Woe to the vanquished" or also "Woe to the conquered". (This is the plural form - the singular is Vae victo)."

"In 390 BC, an army of Gauls led by Brennus attacked Rome, capturing all of the city except for the Capitoline Hill, which was successfully held against them. Brennus besieged the hill, and finally the Romans asked to ransom their city. Brennus demanded 1000 pounds (327 kg) of gold, and the Romans agreed to his terms."

"Livy, in "Ab Urbe Condita" 5.34-49, records that the Gauls provided steelyard and weights, and the Romans brought out their gold. But the Romans noticed that the weights were counterfeited, and dared to notify Brennus about the issue. Brennus took his sword, threw it on to the weights, and exclaimed: "Vae victis!", for the conquered have no rights, forcing the Romans to bring even more gold to fulfill their obligation."

"Vae victis" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vae_Victis