Asterix in Corsica is the twentieth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). It was originally serialized in Pilote issues 687-708 in 1973. It is the best-selling title in the history of the series, owing to its sales in the French market, but is one of the lowest-selling titles in the English language. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 432 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (792 × 1098 pixel, file size: 152 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Self-scan of cover. ... René Goscinny René Goscinny (b. ... Albert Uderzo Albert Uderzo (born April 25, 1927 in France) is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. ... Year 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Asterix and the Soothsayer is the nineteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ... Asterix and Caesars Gift is the twenty-first volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ... For other uses, see Asterix (disambiguation). ... This is a list of all 33 Asterix official volumes. ... René Goscinny (August 14, 1926 – November 5, 1977) Polish- French author, editor and humorist, who is best known for the comic strip Astérix, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and the comic strip Lucky Luke. // Early life René was born in Paris in 1926, to Stanislaw Simkha Goscinny... Albert Uderzo Albert Uderzo (born April 25, 1927 in France) is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. ... A comic book artist at work. ... Cover for Pilote by Robert Crumb. ...

Plot Summary

In most editions of this book the map that is shown before the story begins does not present Gaul and a close-up of the village with the four surrounding Roman camps. Instead the reader is shown a map of Corsica and a multiple of camps around the coast-line. Ancient Rome was a civilization that grew from a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula circa the 9th century BC to a massive empire straddling the Mediterranean Sea. ... “Corsican” redirects here. ...

The story begins with a banquet celebrating the anniversary of Vercingetorix's victory at the Battle of Gergovia. As part of the celebrations, the indomitable Gauls attack the local Roman camps. As a result, most of the Roman soldiers go on special manoeuvres to avoid the punch-up. Statue of Vercingetorix by Bartholdi, on Place de Jaude, in Clermont-Ferrand Vercingetorix (pronounced in Gaulish) died 46 BC), chieftain of the Arverni, led the Gauls in their ultimately unsuccessful war against Roman imperialism. ... The Battle of Gergovia took place in 52 BC at Gergovia (modern Gergovie), the chief town of the Arverni, situated on a hill in Auvergne, about eight miles from the Puy de Dome, France. ... Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Latin name for the region of western Europe occupied by present-day France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... A maneuver (also spelled manoeuvre) is a tactical or strategical move or action. ...

On this particular year various people who have helped the Gauls against the Romans in previous books have been invited along with their wives (This may be because this was the last story published in Pilote magazine). They include: Cover for Pilote by Robert Crumb. ...

• Petitsuix from Helvetia (Asterix in Switzerland),
• Huevos Y Bacon and son Pepe from Hispania (Asterix in Spain),
• Instantmix, the Gaulish restaurateur from Rome (Asterix the Gladiator),
• Anticlimax from Britain alongside Dipsomaniax the tavern-keeper, McAnix the Scotsman, O'veroptimistix the Irishman, and Chief Mykingdomforanos (Asterix in Britain),
• Drinklikafix of Massalia, Jellibabix of Lugdunum, Seniorservix from Gesocribatum (Asterix and the Banquet),
• and Winesanspirix and his wife from Gergovia (Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield).

The Roman camp of Totorum, too, has visitors: three Roman soldiers escorting the Corsican leader Boneywasawarriorwayayix, exiled by Praetor Perfidius. He is left to spend the night in the Centurion's tent, to its owner's dismay. While the other camps are deserted, the Romans of Totorum have no option but to stay and be decimated by the Gauls and their friends, who discover Boneywasawarriorwayayix awakening from a long siesta. Helvetia on a 25 centime Swiss postage stamp, 1881 Helvetia is the Roman name for an ancient region of central Europe occupying a plateau between the Alps and the Jura Mountains. ... Asterix in Switzerland is the sixteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Iberian Peninsula. ... Asterix in Spain is the fourteenth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ... Asterix the Gladiator is the fourth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic and Scots1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... This article is about the island of Ireland. ... Asterix in Britain is a comic book, the eighth in the Asterix comic book series. ... City motto: Actibus immensis urbs fulget Massiliensis. ... Colonia Copia Claudia Augusta Lugdunum (modern: Lyon) was an important Roman city in Gaul. ... The port of Le Conquet with bridge Le Conquet (Konk-Leon in Breton) is a commune in the département of Finistère, in the région of Bretagne, France. ... Asterix and the Banquet is the fifth volume of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny (stories) and Albert Uderzo (illustrations). ... The Battle of Gergovia took place in 52 BC at Gergovia (modern Gergovie), the chief town of the Arverni, situated on a hill in the Auvergne, about eight miles from the Puy de Dome, France. ... Asterix and the Chieftains Shield (original title: Le bouclier arverne) is the eleventh Asterix comic book, written by René Goscinny and drawn by Albert Uderzo. ... // Definition According to Cicero, Praetor was a title which designated the consuls as the leaders of the armies of the state. ... Centurion can mean: In the military: Centurion (Roman army), a professional officer of the Roman army who commanded a large amount of men. ...

The proud Boneywasawarriorwayayix attends the Gaulish banquet and leaves the next day for Corsica with Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix accompanying him. At Massalia, he hires a ship crewed by none other than Captain Redbeard and his motley muddle of pirates. Although the pirates agree to transport Boneywasawarriorwayayix, Asterix, Obelix, and Dogmatix, their real plan is to strip them of wealth and make them walk the plank halfway to Corsica. This is a list of recurring characters in the Asterix comics. ...

When the passengers go aboard it is too dark for the captain and the Gauls to recognise each other. As the pirates are about to carry out their plan, the African lookout recognizes "The Gau... The Gaugau..." and, even though the subjects of their fear are still asleep, the pirates vacate the ship in a rowboat.

The following morning the passengers awake to find to their astonishment that the ship is deserted. Boneywasawarriorwayayix then invites the Gauls to share a pungent Corsican cheese. Not use to the strong smell, they feel unwell, but then the Corsican realises that they are on the very coast of his native island, abandons the cheese and excitedly swims ashore.

The arrival of the three men and dog is noticed by a Roman patrol. The Romans go to investigate the ship for anything suspicious, but find nothing. As they leave, the pirates arrive to conduct their own search. Unfortunately, the presence of a burning torch causes the fumes from the Corsican cheese to explode, sinking the ship.

A young Roman called Courtingdisastus (courting disasters) captures the Pirate Chief and takes him as a prisoner before Praetor Perfidius in the Roman city of Aleria. From him the Romans learn that Boneywasawarriorwayayix, a known revolutionary leader, has returned from exile. Perfidius announces that he must be recaught and appoints Courtingdisastus leader of the party sent to recapture Boneywasawarriorwayayix. But in fact Perfidius has few illusions that the mission will be successful. The Corsican leader was captured by chance, and ordering his recapture is merely for appearance's sake. Perfidius intends to leave Corsica, leaving his men in the lurch and sailing away in the pirate ship with all the loot he has purloined from the Corsicans. Aléria (Greek and Roman Alalia) is a commune in the Haute-Corse département of France, on the island of Corsica. ...

Courtingdisastus and his men go to Boneywasawarriorwayayix' village, but are faced by his second-in-command Carferrix. Carferrix' intimidating attitude unnerves Courtingdisastus who eventually flees. Meanwhile the Corsican leader and the Gauls travel through a nearly impenetrable forest to a rendezvous where several clan chieftains are to gather and plan their attack on Aleria, where the Praetor is busy gathering loot, including food, wine and treasure to take back to Caesar in Rome. The attack proceeds before Perfidius can make his escape. Boneywasawarriorwayayix then makes a proud and defiant speech stating that Corsica will not be ruled by an Emperor unless he is a Corsican himself. Gaius Julius Caesar [1] (Latin pronunciation ; English pronunciation ; July 12 or July 13, 100 BC or 102 BC–March 15, 44 BC), was a Roman military and political leader and one of the most influential men of classical antiquity. ... An emperor is a (male) monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. ... Bonaparte as general Napoleon Bonaparte ( 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution and was the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from November 11, 1799 to May 18, 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des...

As well as the victory over the Romans, a vendetta between the clans of Boneywasawarriorwayayix and Olabellamargaritix, fought over various but complicated age-old issues, is settled by the diplomatic Asterix. Though, when the Gauls leave, there are strong hints that other Corsican chieftains will resume the feud with Olabellamargaritix even if Boneywasawarriorwayayix has called his off.

The Gauls return with fond memories of their trip.

References

• Throughout the album the stereotypical laziness of the Corsicans is satirized, often in combination with their well known siesta. This however, has much to do with the hot climate on the island.
• The Corsican feeling of honor and respect is satirized several times, just like the cliché that they are easily vexed.
• In the original French version Boneywasawarriorwayayix is called Ocatarinetabellachitchix. Asterix at one points pronounces his name incorrectly as "Omarinella...". Both are songs by Corsican singer Tino Rossi: "Tchi-Tchi" and "Marinella". Further in the comic strip the secret password the Gauls need to give in order to get on the ship that will bring them to Corsica is also a reference to Rossi. "Vieni vieni" (in the French version) is also a song by Rossi.
• The sentence about "the urns filled before the elections" (page 25) is a reference to the political scandals in Corsica due to election frauds.
• The vendetta, feuds and fights between different Corsican clans become more apparent from page 26 onwards. The knives they use are authentic vendetta knives. (http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Vendetta_knife01.jpg)
• Wild boars, chestnuts (used in many dishes and drinks on the island), old people sitting on benches commenting on things happening in their environment and the notorious smell of Corsican cheese are referenced.
• The famous bushes (maquis) where in past centuries many highwaymen and Corsican nationalists hid are referenced. It is also notorious as a place where tourists easily get lost.
• The Corsican emperor Napoleon Bonaparte is referenced in:
  • The English name for Ocatarinetabellachitchix: "Boneywasawarriorwayayix", which is a reference to the sea chanty "Boney was a warrior" about Napoleon. (When Asterix mistakes his name in the English version he addresses him as "Wellingtonwasa...", a reference to Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.)
  • Ocatarinetabellachitchix discovers Corsica is nearby by tasting the smell. Napoleon once said he could recognize his island with his eyes closed, just by smelling its scent. Even during his exile in Elba he could still remember the scent.
  • Asterix's remark that the Corsicans have "une grande armée" ("a large army"- Napoleon's army was nicknamed that way)
  • Ocatarinetabellachitchix's remark that "le sommeil d'Osterlix" is very famous in their country (Osterlix is a Corsican clan leader in the album. "Le sommeil" means "the sleep". The sentence is a pun on "Le soleil d' Austerlitz" ("The sun of Austerlitz", named after Napoleon's famous victory in the Battle of Austerlitz)
  • And finally in Ocatarinetabellachitchix' speech towards Perfidius where he strikes the famous Napoleon pose and says "that Corsicans will only accept an emperor if he's Corsican".

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Laziness Look up Laziness in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A person taking a siesta. ... Honor (or honor) comprises the reputation, self-perception or moral identity of an individual or of a group. ... Respect is an assumption of good faith and competence in another person or in the whole of oneself. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Tino Rossi (April 29, 1907 — September 26, 1983) was a singer and film actor. ... A feud is a long-running argument or fight between parties—often groups of people, especially families or clans. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Binomial name Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758 The Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) is the wild ancestor of the domesticated pig. ... This article is about the chestnut plant in the genus Castanea. ... Cheese is a solid food made from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and other mammals. ... Maquis (French) or macchia (Italian; plural macchie) is a shrubland biota in Mediterranean countries, typically consisting of densely-growing evergreen shrubs such as sage, juniper and myrtle. ... Bonaparte as general Napoleon Bonaparte ( 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821) was a general of the French Revolution and was the ruler of France as First Consul (Premier Consul) of the French Republic from November 11, 1799 to May 18, 1804, then as Emperor of the French (Empereur des... Sea shanties (singular shanty, also spelled chantey; derived from the French word chanter, to sing) were shipboard working songs. ... Boney is a slang term for someone who is skinny, or lacks fat. ... Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS (c. ... Elba (bottom centre) from space, February 1994. ... At the Battle of Austerlitz (December 2, 1805), during the Napoleonic War of the Third Coalition, a French force of approximately 73,000 under Napoleon decisively defeated a joint Russo_Austrian force of over 89,000, commanded by Russian General Kutuzov with General von Weyrother commanding the Austrian contingent. ... Combatants First French Empire Russian Empire, Austrian Empire Commanders Napoleon I Alexander I Strength 65,000[1] 73,000[2] Casualties 1,305 dead, 6,940 wounded, 573 captured, 1 standard lost[3] 15,000 dead or wounded, 12,000 captured, 180 guns lost, 50 standards lost[3] The Battle...

Trivia

• This is the first time the extent of the Pirates' fear of the Gauls is revealed. Of course, it is a most humorous instance, since the Pirates would fear the Gauls even when they are asleep.
• The stereotypes of Corsicans seen in the album (pride, vendetta, feuds, old men sitting and commenting, grim glare) are thought to apply also to the Cretans; Greek editions Mamouthcomix made a special translation of the album in the Cretan Greek.

Crete, sometimes spelled Krete (Greek Κρήτη / Kriti) is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. ... Cretan Greek (Cretan dialect, Greek: Κρητική διάλεκτος or Kritika Κρητικά) is a dialect of the Greek language, spoken by more than half a million people in Crete and several thousands in the diaspora. ...

In other languages

• Catalan: Astèrix a Còrsega
• German: Asterix auf Korsika
• Finnish: Asterix Korsikassa
• Italian: Asterix in Corsica
• Polish: Asteriks na Korsyce
• Portuguese: Astérix na Córsega
• Cretan Greek: O Asterikákis stin Korsikí

More information

• http://www.mage.fst.uha.fr/asterix/corse/etude.html (in French)