ABSTRACT
Some years ago, the author tried to get around the problematic vices superbae by taking it as an instance of enallage (hypallage) adiectivi. From a linguistic point of view, there can hardly be any serious objection to this except for the unfortunate double meaning following from the use of an artificial rhetorical figure. As for vices superbae, the author ended up with the translation “retribution will overtake you because of your arrogance”. Moreover, the transmitted phrase vices superbae should be taken in tandem with the previous debita iura. J. Gow tooks the latter expression as ‘rights unpaid’, an interpretation that still finds approval.
