Oderint Dum Metuant — Dagger and Rat

Description

A blackwork chest piece showing a dagger driven through a struggling rat beneath Gothic script reading "Oderint dum metuant." The Latin motto means "Let them hate, so long as they fear." The dagger suggests violence, protection or betrayal; the rat can symbolize survival, treachery or pestilence. Fine-line shading gives a detailed, illustrative look.