Word Entries containing the term: “ ultima ratio ”

ultima ratio regum

The final argument of kings. Louis XIV of France, recognized that force is the final argument, so he directed that his cannons carry the engraving "ultima ratio regum" (1650). As a result, this phrase usually signifies "war" or "the use of military weapons; force". The phrase was adopted in the form of "Ultima ratio regis" for the same purpose which appears on cannon cast for Frederick the Great, king of Prussia, c. 1742.