How Do You Pronounce “molon Labe?”?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 31, 2020

“Molon labe,” the transliterated form of the Greek phrase “μολὼν λαβέ” is pronounced “mo-lone lah-veh.” The phrase originates from ancient Greek history, and translates roughly to “come and get them” or “come and take it.”

The expression “molon labe” (also written “molṑn labé”) is said to have been declared in battle by Sparta’s King Leonidas when Persian emperor Xerxes urged the Spartans to lay down their weapons in exchange for sparing the Spartan army’s lives. It is seen as an expression of defiance when asked to surrender. Today, many American Second Amendment rights groups have adopted the phrase to articulate their views against gun control or giving up their firearms.