Definition of the word urge on

The expression "urge on" as an encouragement to continue or advance originated during ancient Roman times. Its Latin form, "hortare," is derived from the word "hortus," which means "garden" or "fruitful place." In Rome, the annual presentation of games and spectacles known as the Ludi Romani, or Roman Games, was held in honor of the agricultural festival of Floralia. The games culminated in the celebration of the Floralia Magna, which was presided over by the Roman goddess Flora. As part of these events, Roman festival-goers would flock to the Circus Maximus, a sandy, baggage-strewn forum where contests and shows took place. Spectators would cheer, urge, and provide words of encouragement to the contenders, such as the famous gladiators, by shouting "hortare" meaning "exhort" or "encourage." Over time, the phrase "hortare" was transformed into "hortem," which ultimately gave rise to "hortari" meaning "to urge." This Latin verb became the origin of English expressions "urging" and "urge" as we know them today, which have evolved to hold the overtone of insistent or compelling persuasion to move forward. Thus, the modern usage of the phrase "urge on" is a nod to the tradition of ancient Roman crowds urging their favorite contestants forward in the games, granting it a deep-seated historical significance.