Question

Annus Mirabilis celebrated :

• A. A year
• B. A monarch
• C. A writer
• D. A discovery

Answer 1

Answer:

A. A year

Annus Mirabilis

• The term 'Annus Mirabilis' is Latin for 'Wonderful Year' or 'Year of Wonders'.
• It refers to a specific year in which a person or a nation experiences significant achievements, breakthroughs, or remarkable events.
• In the context of literature, and particularly for the poet John Dryden, the 'Annus Mirabilis' refers to the year 1666.
• This year was remarkable for England due to two major catastrophic events: the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire of London.
• Despite these disasters, England also achieved significant military victories against the Dutch, and the plague's impact began to subside.
• Dryden wrote his poem Annus Mirabilis in 1667, commemorating the events of the previous year, 1666.
• The poem reflects on the dual nature of the year, acknowledging the devastation but also highlighting the resilience, recovery, and triumphs.
• The concept of an 'Annus Mirabilis' is not limited to literature and can be applied to any field, such as science, politics, or sports, to denote a year of extraordinary events.

Key points for competitive exams:

• The Latin phrase 'Annus Mirabilis' translates to 'Wonderful Year'.
• John Dryden's famous poem 'Annus Mirabilis' pertains to the year 1666.
• Major events of 1666 include the Great Plague of London and the Great Fire of London, alongside naval victories.
• The poem was published in 1667.