© I. Gildenhard and J. Henderson, CC BY 4.0 https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0158.01
11.1–4: The Morning After
Oceanum interea surgens Aurora reliquit: |
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Aeneas, quamquam et sociis dare tempus humandis |
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praecipitant curae turbataque funere mens est, |
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vota deum primo victor solvebat Eoo. |
Study Questions
- How does the et after quamquam (2) fit into the sentence?
- What is the accusative object of praecipitant (3)?
- Parse deum and explain its case (4).
- Identify and explain the tense of solvebat (4).
- Why does Eoo (4) scan the way it does, i.e. short – long – long?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Why is the placement in the verse (and the word order) of praecipitant curae agreeably clever?
- How does the rhetorical and syntactical design of line 4 obliquely advertise Aeneas’ unusual pietas?
Discussion Points
- The adverb interea (1) correlates different actions in time: it gestures back to what we have just been told and sets up a new development. Here it bridges the gap between Aeneid 10 and 11 – asking you (who may have started reading at Aeneid 11.1…) to browse back: what has happened at the end of Aeneid 10?
- Who is Aurora (1) and what is her story (or myth)? Does it resonate here?
- Line 11.1 is identical to line 4.129: what might this repetition mean?
- What is the conflict Aeneas experiences in 2–4, how does he resolve it, and what does both the conflict and its resolution tell us about his character?
Oceanus, -i, m. | Ocean (in mythology, the son of Uranus and Ge) |
interea (adv.) | meanwhile |
surgo, -rgere, -rrexi, -rrectum | to get up; emerge, rise |
Aurora, -ae, f. | dawn, Dawn, Aurora |
humo, -are, -avi, -atum | to bury, inter |
praecipito, -are, -avi, -atum | to cause to fall headlong, drive headlong |
funus, -eris, n. | funeral rites; corpse; death, |
turbo, -are, -avi, -atum | to agitate, disturb, stir up, confound |
vota solvere | to fulfil vows (after the prayer has been answered) |
Eous, -a, -um (adj.) - here used as a noun: Eous, i, m. | of the morning, eastern, of the dawn the morning star, dawn |
11.5–11: Epic DIY, or: How to Build a Victory Trophy
ingentem quercum decisis undique ramis | 5 |
constituit tumulo fulgentiaque induit arma, | |
Mezenti ducis exuvias, tibi, magne, tropaeum, | |
bellipotens; aptat rorantis sanguine cristas | |
telaque trunca viri, et bis sex thoraca petitum | |
perfossumque locis, clipeumque ex aere sinistrae | 10 |
subligat atque ensem collo suspendit eburnum. |
Study Questions
- What construction is decisis undique ramis (5)?
- How do exuvias and tropaeum (7) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Parse magne (7).
- Parse rorantis (8).
- What noun does the phrase bis sex (9) modify? (What case is the (indeclinable) numeral sex?)
- Parse thoraca (9) – and draw a thorax.
Stylistic Appreciation
- Lines 5–11 are strikingly ‘paratactic’, featuring a sequence of main clauses (constituit – induit – aptat – subligat – suspendit) with no subordinate clause in sight. Why might Virgil have opted for syntactical simplicity – and how does he nevertheless generate stylistic variety?
- What is the rhetorical effect of Virgil’s direct address to Mars (7–8)?
Discussion Points
- What are the standout qualities of Aeneas that Virgil emphasizes in 5–11? How does he do so? And how does the glimpse into his mental state we get in 2–4 compare to what he does in 5–11?
- At the end of Aeneid 10, Mezentius pleads with Aeneas for a proper burial. But the only follow-up we get is the passage here, with Aeneas constructing a victory monument. Some scholars argue that Aeneas not only hangs up the armour he stripped from his foe, but also his actual body, brutally mutilated. What do you think? (Justify your argument with reference to the text.)
- Draw Aeneas’ tropaeum.
- Discuss the phrase tela … trunca viri (9) as one of the Aeneid’s most paradoxical variants on its title phrase Arma virumque (1.1).
- How do modern societies deal with war casualties and military victories? Compare and contrast with what Aeneas is doing here.
ingens, -tis | of immoderate size, full-grown, enormous; great |
quercus, -us, f. | oak, oak-tree |
dēcīdo, dēcīdere, decīdi, decīsum | to cut off, cut away |
undique (adv.) | from all parts, sides, or places, |
ramus, -i, m. | branch, bough, twig |
tumulus, -i, m. | a heap of earth, mound |
fulgeo, -gere, -si | to shine brightly, flash, glitter, gleam |
induo, -uere, -ui, -utum | to put on, don, dress in |
exuviae, -arum, f. | armour taken off a defeated enemy, spoils |
tropaeum, -i, n. | a ‘trophy’ set up to mark the rout of an enemy |
bellipotens, -ntis | powerful in war (here used substantivally referring to Mars) |
apto, -are, -avi, -atum | to fit on, fix; to put on, fasten |
roro, -are, -avi, -atum | to drizzle, drip (e.g. blood or dew) |
crista, -ae, f. | crest, plume (attached to the top of a helmet) |
trunco, -are, -avi, -atum | to maim, mutilate, break apart, dismember |
thorax, -acis, m. | cuirass |
peto, -ere, -ivi/ii, -itum | to move towards, attack, go after, seek to attain |
perfodio, -odere, -odi, -ossum | to dig through, pierce, perforate |
clipeus, -i, m. | a round shield |
aes, aeris, n. | copper, bronze, brass |
subligo, -are, -avi, -atum | to tie up, fasten (one thing to another) |
collum, -i, n. | neck (both with and without the head) |
suspendo, -dere, -di, -sum | to hang, suspend |
eburnus, -a, -um | made of/decorated with ivory |
11.12–16: Sic Semper Tyrannis @TakeNoteTurnus
tum socios (namque omnis eum stipata tegebat | |
turba ducum) sic incipiens hortatur ovantis: | |
‘maxima res effecta, viri; timor omnis abesto, | |
quod superest; haec sunt spolia et de rege superbo | 15 |
primitiae manibusque meis Mezentius hic est. |
Study Questions
- Parse ovantis (12). What noun does the participle modify?
- maxima res effecta, viri (14): what word needs to be supplied to complete the sentence?
- Parse viri (14).
- Parse abesto (14).
- How is the phrase de rege superbo (15) to be construed? Who is the king and what does his superbia consist in? Is the echo of superest in superbo (15) a mere sound-effect?
- What are primitiae (16)? And what is their meaning here?
- What kind of ablative is manibus meis (16)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does Virgil’s word order in 12–13 reflect the relationship between Aeneas and his allies?
- Discuss the effect of the deictic pronouns haec (15) and hic (16).
- How would you characterize the rhetorical register that Aeneas adopts at the opening of his speech? How does he interact with his audience? What message is he trying to convey?
Discussion Points
- In the opening section of Aeneid 11, Aeneas appeared to be all alone. Now we suddenly learn that he operates surrounded by a bustling crowd of allies (tum socios…). What is the ideological effect of showing Aeneas first in seemingly splendid isolation and then in the midst of a larger grouping?
- What is peculiar about the formulation turba ducum (13)? Why did Virgil use it?
- How does Aeneas portray the relationship between himself and ‘his’ Mezentius? (Relate Mezentius hic est back to tela … trunca viri (9).)
stipo, -are, -avi, -atum | to compress, surround; crowd, throng |
tego, -gere, -xi, -ctum | to cover, shield, protect |
ovo, -are, -avi, -atum | to celebrate, exult, rejoice |
efficio, -icere, -eci, -ectum | to construct, bring about, accomplish |
supersum, -esse, -fui | to remain (to be dealt with) |
spolium, -ii, n. | (usu. in pl.) spoils of war |
superbus, -a, -um (adj.) - with abl. | proud, haughty, disdainful, arrogant exultant, glorying in |
primitiae, -arum, f. pl. | the first fruits; a first offering |
11.17–21: Going (Again) for the Jugular…
nunc iter ad regem nobis murosque Latinos. | |
arma parate, animis et spe praesumite bellum, | |
ne qua mora ignaros, ubi primum vellere signa | |
adnuerint superi pubemque educere castris, | 20 |
impediat segnisve metu sententia tardet. |
Study Questions
- nunc iter ad regem nobis murosque Latinos (17): what is the verb of this sentence? How is nobis to be construed?
- In line 18, should we put a comma after parate – or, put differently, does the et link parate and praesumite or animis and spe?
- What are the subjects and what the verbs of the ne-clause (19–21)?
- What does the –que after pubem link?
- Is segnis (21) nominative singular or accusative plural?
- What kind of ablative is metu (21)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Throughout the speech, and in this segment in particular (regem–murosque, arma–bellum, parate–praesumite, animis–spe, ignaros–segnis, vellere signa–educere castris), Aeneas uses a series of near-synonymous words or expressions: what is the rhetorical effect?
Discussion Points
- ad regem (17): who is the king here – and what city is referred to in murosque Latinos?
- What are we to make of Aeneas’ refusal to set out for war before the gods have given their assent (by nodding…) (19–20)? How would you characterize the system of religious thought that informs his attitude?
praesumo, -ere, -(p)si, -ptum | to take upon oneself beforehand, anticipate |
mora, -ae, f. | delay |
ignarus, -a, -um | having no knowledge, ignorant, unaware |
ubi primum | as soon as, the moment that |
vello, -ere, -i/vulsi, vulsum signa vellere | to pull out, pluck to pull up the standards (a signal of departure) |
adnuo, -ere, -ui, -utum | to make signs, nod (assent), permit; (of the gods) to grant their favour or support |
superus, -a, -um superi, -orum, m. | situated above, upper those who dwell above, i.e. the gods |
pubes, -is, f. | adult population, manpower |
educo, -cere, -xi, -ctum | to lead forth, bring out, draw out |
impedio, -ire, -ivi/ii, -itum | to restrict, hinder, obstruct |
segnis, -is, -e | slothful, inactive, sluggish |
sententia, -ae, f. | way of thinking, opinion; decision, decree |
tardo, -are, -avi, -atum | to cause to slow down, delay, hold back |
11.22–28: …But not Before Tending to the Dead
interea socios inhumataque corpora terrae | |
mandemus, qui solus honos Acheronte sub imo est. | |
ite’, ait ‘egregias animas, quae sanguine nobis | |
hanc patriam peperere suo, decorate supremis | 25 |
muneribus, maestamque Evandri primus ad urbem | |
mittatur Pallas, quem non virtutis egentem | |
abstulit atra dies et funere mersit acerbo.’ |
Study Questions
- Parse mandemus (23).
- Explain the gender of the relative pronoun qui (23).
- Parse peperere (25)
- What does the –que after maestam (26) link?
- What is the urbs of Evander (26)?
- Parse mittatur (27).
Stylistic Appreciation
- socios inhumataque corpora (22) is a hendiadys (= inhumata corpora sociorum): what might be the rhetorical rationale behind this figure of speech here?
- Discuss the rhetorical design of the relative clause in lines 24–25 (quae … suo) and comment on the phrase patriam peperere.
- What is the effect of the anastrophe + hyperbaton in the phrase maestam … ad urbem (26)?
- How does the phrasing of Pallas, quem non virtutis egentem etc. (27–28) stress Pallas as special among the egregias animas etc. (24–25)?
Discussion Points
- What notions about the dead (and the afterlife) does Aeneas bring into play here? What are their cultural origins?
- What is the patria that Aeneas mentions in line 25?
- What religious thinking informs the notion of atra dies (28)?
- What does Aeneas’ discourse tell us about his relationship with Pallas?
- Looking back over the speech, analyze its overall structure: what are the main topics covered? How much verse-time does he give to each? In what order are they arranged – and is it significant? Are there changes in stylistic registers? Which components do you find particularly effective (and which ones – if any – fall flat for you)?
- What does this speech tell us about Aeneas as public orator – and as a person? (And are these two aspects necessarily the same?)
mando, -are, -avi, -atum | to hand over, deliver, entrust, commit |
Acheron, -ontis, m. | Acheron (an underworld river); underworld |
imus, -a, -um | lowest, deepest, innermost |
egregius, -ia, -ium | outstanding, excellent, pre-eminent |
pario, -ere, peperi, -tum | to give birth, bring forth, produce, procure |
decoro, -are, -avi, -atum | to embellish, adorn; glorify, honour |
munus, -eris, n. munera suprema | task, duty; public show; present, gift the last duties owed to a person: funeral rites |
egens, -ntis | needy, indigent, lacking in |
aufero, -rre, abstuli, ablatum | to carry away, take away; remove, destroy |
ater, atra, atrum | black, ill-omened |
mergo, -gere, -si, -sum | to plunge, immerse, drown; engulf |
11.29–41: Necrophilia, Anyone?
Sic ait inlacrimans, recipitque ad limina gressum | |
corpus ubi exanimi positum Pallantis Acoetes | 30 |
servabat senior, qui Parrhasio Evandro | |
armiger ante fuit, sed non felicibus aeque | |
tum comes auspiciis caro datus ibat alumno. | |
circum omnis famulumque manus Troianaque turba | |
et maestum Iliades crinem de more solutae. | 35 |
ut vero Aeneas foribus sese intulit altis | |
ingentem gemitum tunsis ad sidera tollunt | |
pectoribus, maestoque immugit regia luctu. | |
ipse caput nivei fultum Pallantis et ora | |
ut vidit levique patens in pectore vulnus | 40 |
cuspidis Ausoniae, lacrimis ita fatur obortis: |
Study Questions
- Which words does the –que after recipit (29) link?
- Scan line 31, taking into account various metrical peculiarities.
- What is the main verb of the sentence starting with circum (34)?
- How does circum (34) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Parse famulum (34).
- Can hair be sad (cf. maestum crinem: 35)?
- Who are the Iliades (35)? And why does Virgil put such emphasis on Troy (cf. also Troianaque turba in 34) here?
- Explain the grammar of solutae (35).
- What construction is tunsis … pectoribus (37–38)?
- What is the main clause of the sentence that starts in 39 (ipse caput…)?
- What does the –que after levi (40) link?
Stylistic Appreciation
- In what sense is the word order and verse design of the ubi-clause in 30–1 (corpus … senior) and the ut-clause in 39–41 expressive of their contents – and how do they mirror each other?
- The passage features frequent use of hyperbaton: corpus … positum (30), felicibus … auspiciis (32–3), caro … alumno (33), maestum … crinem (35), foribus … altis (36), tunsis … pectoribus (38–9), maestoque … luctu (38), levique … in pectore (40), lacrimis … obortis (41). Are they expressive of anything?
- Analyze the overall design of the passage. What are its constituent parts and how are they arranged?
Discussion Points
- Catalogue the articulations of grief that Virgil mentions in this passage. How do they compare with modern practices?
- The passage contains various references to architecture (29: ad limina; 36: foribus … altis; 38: regia): how does this square with the fact that we are in the middle of a battlefield?
- The passage contains a range of geographical markers (31: Parrhasio; 34: Troiana; 35: Iliades; 41: Ausoniae). Identify their referents and discuss their significance.
- This is the second time Aeneas wells up within the space of 13 verses (29: sic ait inlacrimans; 41: lacrimis ita fatur obortis): what’s the rep on heroes and tears?
- Some scholars have felt that Virgil’s sensual description of Pallas’ corpse borders on the erotic. Do you? Can you spot the beautiful boy in the lifeless bo(d)y – in the sclerotic.
- Can you identify the figures in Anne Louis Girodet-Trioson’s painting on the following page? (Note that the Latin text at the bottom of the painting is from 11.57–8 – it will help in identifying the boy in the foreground.)
- Compare and contrast text and image: which one in your opinion evokes grief and pathos more powerfully – and why?
illacrimo, -are, -avi, -atum | to shed tears, weep |
recipio, -ipere, -epi, -eptum | to receive, accept, recover |
limen, -inis, n. | threshold |
gressus, -us, m. [gradior] - gressum recipere | step, walk; pl. feet to turn back, withdraw |
exanimis, -is, -e | lifeless, dead |
pono, ponere, posui, positum | to place, set, put; lay out |
senior | older |
Parrhasius, -a, -um | Arcadian |
armiger, -eri, m. [arma + -ger] | armour-bearer |
felix, -icis | lucky, auspicious, fortunate, prosperous |
aeque (adv.) | to an equal degree, likewise, equally |
comes, -itis, m. (f.) | companion, comrade; associate |
auspicium, -(i)i, n. | augury, auspices; portent, omen; fortune, luck |
carus, -a, -um | costly, dear; beloved |
alumnus, -i, m. | son, child |
famulus, -i, m. | servant, attendant |
crinis, -is, m. | hair |
solvo, -vere, -vi, -utum | to loosen, untie, relax, unfasten |
foris, -is, f. | door; (pl.) double door |
infero, -re, intuli, illatum | to come in, enter; attack |
altus, -a, -um | lofty, tall, high |
gemitus, -us, m. | groaning, moaning |
tundo, -ere, tutudi, tunsum | to strike, beat |
immugio, -ire, -ivi/ii | to bellow, roar; resound |
regia, -ae, f. | a royal residence, palace, court |
luctus, -us, m. | grief, mourning |
niveus, -a, -um | snow-white |
fulcio, -cire, -si, -tum | to hold up, support, prop up |
os, oris, n. | mouth; face |
lêvis, -is, -e (as opposed to levis, -is, -e | smooth light) |
pateo, -ere, -ui | to be open, be visible, show |
cuspis, -idis, f. | tip (of a spear); spear, lance |
Ausonius, -a, -um | Italian, Roman |
oborior, -iri, -ortus | to rise up, arise |
11.42–48: Of a Promise Broken
‘tene’, inquit ‘miserande puer, cum laeta veniret, | |
invidit Fortuna mihi, ne regna videres | |
nostra neque ad sedes victor veherere paternas? | |
non haec Evandro de te promissa parenti | 45 |
discedens dederam, cum me complexus euntem | |
mitteret in magnum imperium metuensque moneret | |
acris esse viros, cum dura proelia gente. |
Study Questions
- Parse tene (42).
- Parse miserande (42).
- What is the sense of the conjunction cum (42) here and who is the subject of the cum-clause?
- Parse veherere (44).
- Parse dederam (46).
- Who is the subject of the cum-clause (46–48)?
- Parse euntem (46).
- What construction does moneret (47) introduce?
- Parse acris (48).
- How does cum dura proelia gente (48) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Comment on the use (and the placement) of the personal pronouns te and mihi in lines 42–43.
- Identify and discuss the emotive tenor of the apostrophe miserande puer (42).
- Is the repeated use of alliteration in lines 42–47 (veniret – (invidit) – videres – victor veherere; promissa parenti; discedens dederam; mitteret (in) magnum (imperium) metuensque moneret) expressive or could only Virgil get away with it?
- regna… | nostra (43–44): the hyperbaton, reinforced by enjambment, places a lot of emphasis on nostra — what insight into Aeneas’ mindset does this design afford us?
- Analyze the design of non haec Evandro de te promissa parenti | discedens dederam (45–46).
Discussion Points
- Explore Aeneas’ understanding of the goddess Fortuna – how can she be simultaneously laeta (‘smiling/supportive’) and feel envy (invidit)?
- How would you characterize the relationships of Aeneas with Pallas and Evander?
- Discuss how lines 42–45 explore the coincidence of triumph and tragedy.
- In the departure scene in Aeneid 8, Aeneas makes no promises to Evander of the kind he ‘recalls’ here: how are we to explain this discrepancy?
miseror, -ari, -atus | to view with compassion, feel pity for |
laetus, -a, -um | flourishing, cheerful, propitious, favourable |
invideo, -idere, -idi, -isum | to be jealous of, begrudge |
sedes, -is, f. | seat, dwelling, home |
veho, -here, -xi, -ctum | to carry, transport, bring |
promissum, -i, n. | promise, assurance |
complector, -cti, -xus | to embrace, hug; grasp, comprehend |
11.49–58: How Do I Break this to Dad? Well, at Least Pallas Wasn’t a Cold-Footed, Useless Swine!
et nunc ille quidem spe multum captus inani | |
fors et vota facit cumulatque altaria donis, | 50 |
nos iuvenem exanimum et nil iam caelestibus ullis | |
debentem vano maesti comitamur honore. | |
infelix, nati funus crudele videbis! | |
hi nostri reditus exspectatique triumphi? | |
haec mea magna fides? at non, Evandre, pudendis | 55 |
vulneribus pulsum aspicies, nec sospite dirum | |
optabis nato funus pater. ei mihi quantum | |
praesidium, Ausonia, et quantum tu perdis, Iule!’ |
Study Questions
- What is the meaning of et (49)?
- How does multum (49) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- What noun does inani (49) modify?
- Parse nos (51).
- Who does nostri (54) refer to?
- What verbs need to be supplied with the rhetorical questions in 54 and 55?
- How are we to construe pulsum (56)?
- What construction is sospite … nato (56–57)?
- Parse Ausonia and Iule (58).
Stylistic Appreciation
- Discuss the rhetorical design of 49–52.
- Scan line 53 and discuss Virgil’s use of metre.
- How would you characterize the tone of the rhetorical questions in 54–55?
Discussion Points
- Do you find Aeneas’ attempt at consolation in lines 55–57 compelling?
- What do you make of the fact that Pallas, who has been killed by an ‘Ausonian spear’ (41: cuspidis Ausoniae), is here imagined as ‘Ausonia’s bulwark’ (57–58)?
- Compare and contrast Aeneas’ situation with that of the ‘Brother Officer’ in Siegfried Sassoon’s ‘The Hero’.
quidem (particle) | certainly, indeed |
inanis, -is, -e | empty, hollow, not to be fulfilled |
fors (adv.) | perhaps, perchance; maybe |
cumulo, -are, -avi, -atum | to pile up, heap |
altaria, -ium, n. pl. | an altar (specifically: a fitting for burnt offerings); burnt offerings placed on an altar |
exanimus (= exanimis) | dead, inanimate |
debeo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to be under an obligation, owe |
vanus, -a, -um | insubstantial, empty; illusory, groundless |
comitor, -ari, -atus | to accompany, attend |
reditus, -us, m. | return |
triumphus, -i, m. | triumphal procession, triumph |
fides, -ei, f. | trust, good faith; trustworthiness, promise, assurance |
pudeo, -ere, -ui/puditum est | to fill with shame, make ashamed |
pello, -ere, pepuli, pulsum | to strike, beat, defeat, repel |
aspicio, -icere, -exi, -ectum | to notice, observe, look at, behold |
sospes, -itis | safe and sound, unscathed |
dirus, -a, -um | dreadful, dire, frightful |
ei (interjection) | aagh [exclamation of anguish] |
praesidium, -(i)i, n. | defence, protection, stronghold, bulwark |
Ausonia, -ae, f. | Italy |
11.59–63: The Final Escort
Haec ubi deflevit, tolli miserabile corpus | |
imperat et toto lectos ex agmine mittit | 60 |
mille viros, qui supremum comitentur honorem | |
intersintque patris lacrimis, solacia luctus | |
exigua ingentis, misero sed debita patri. |
Study Questions
- Parse tolli (59).
- What is unusual about the construction governed by imperat (60)?
- Identify and explain the mood of comitentur (61) and intersint (62).
- Parse luctus (62).
- What noun does the participle debita (63) modify?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Discuss the rhetorical impact of the word order in the clause toto lectos ex agmine mittit | mille viros (60–61).
- What are the stylistic features that make the phrases solacia luctus | exigua ingentis (62–63) rhetorically powerful?
Discussion Point
- Quite a few words and phrases from the speeches Aeneas just gave recur in this passage: 60: mittit (~ 27: mittatur; 47: mitteret); 61: supremum honorem (~ 23: solus honos); 61: comitentur (~ 52: comitamur); 62: debita (~ 52: debentem). See also 64: haud segnes (~ 21: segnis) and 67: iuvenem … sublimem (~ 51: iuvenem exanimum). Was Virgil (i) ‘bored’ or ‘rushed’; (ii) intended to revise in due course; (iii) or used such repetition ‘to convey a unity of tone within a sad, slow, heavy movement of the action’? (These are the alternatives mooted by Horsfall 2003: 85. Can you think of others?)
defleo, -ere, -evi, -etum | to mourn, weep abundantly, deplore |
lectus, -a, -um | carefully chosen, select |
comitor, -ari, -atus | to accompany, attend |
intersum, -esse, -fui | to lie between, intervene |
solacium, -(i)i, n. | solace, comfort, relief, consolation |
exiguus, -a, -um | small, scanty, slight |
debeo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to be under an obligation, owe |
11.64–71: The Aesthetics of Death-floration
haud segnes alii crates et molle feretrum | |
arbuteis texunt virgis et vimine querno | 65 |
exstructosque toros obtentu frondis inumbrant. | |
hic iuvenem agresti sublimem stramine ponunt, | |
qualem virgineo demessum pollice florem | |
seu mollis violae seu languentis hyacinthi, | |
cui neque fulgor adhuc nec dum sua forma recessit: | 70 |
non iam mater alit tellus viresque ministrat. |
Study Questions
- What rhetorical figure does Virgil use in the phrase haud segnes (64)?
- What do the et in 64, the et in 65, and the –que after exstructos (66) link, respectively?
- What is the relationship between the temporal adverbs adhuc and dum (70) and non iam (71)?
- How does mater (71) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Virgil’s lexicon, resolutely grounded in the socio-political sphere in 59–63, branches out to the world of nature in 64–71: what is the effect of this ‘bucolic enrichment’?
- What rhetorical figure do the phrases arbuteis virgis and vimine querno (65) form? Why might it be a particularly apt one to use here?
- Analyze the word order of line 68 and ponder the significance of the phrase virgineo … pollice.
- How does Virgil evoke the precarious nature of life and beauty (and the beauty of life) in this passage?
Discussion Points
- Analyze the design of 67 and explore the thematic implications of the interweaving of iuvenem … sublimem and agresti … stramine.
- Explore the thematic nexus of flowers, virginity, and death in Virgil and in his predecessors (especially Homer and Catullus), with reference to the parallel passages cited in the Commentary.
- Do you find Virgil’s aesthetics of ‘death-floration’ in good taste?
segnis, -is, -e | slothful, sluggish, slow-moving |
cratis, -is, f. | wickerwork, basket, lattice |
mollis, -is, -e | soft, tender, flexible, mild |
feretrum, -i, n. | bier |
arbuteus, -a, -um | made of arbutus wood (the wild strawberry tree) |
texo, -ere, -ui, -tum | to weave, plait, intertwine |
virga, -ae, f. | twig, rod, wand |
vimen, -inis, n. | (flexible) branch |
quernus, -a, -um [quercus + -nus] | made of oak-wood |
torus, i. m. | bolster; bed |
obtentus, -us, m. | covering, cloaking, veiling |
frons, -ndis, f. | foliage, leaf (used as bedding) |
inumbro, -are, -avi, -atum | to shade |
agrestis, -is, -e | rustic, rural, wild |
sublimis, -is, -e | lofty, grand, sublime, exalted, noble |
stramen, -inis, n. [sterno + -men] | straw; litter |
virgineus, -a, -um | virginal |
demeto, -tere, -ssui, -ssum | to mow, reap; pick, gather, pluck |
pollex, -icis, m. | thumb |
flos, -oris, m. | flower; blossom |
viola, -ae, f. | a flower (used to cover graves and other funerary monuments) |
langueo, -ere | to be sluggish, droop, wilt |
hyacinthus, -i, m. | a flower, perhaps the lily |
fulgor, -oris, m. | brightness, brilliance, radiance |
adhuc (adv.) | as yet, so far, by now, further |
nec dum (conj., adv.) | not yet either |
recedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum | to draw back, withdraw, depart |
vis, vis, f. [pl. vires, virium] | physical strength, power, violence |
ministro, -are, -avi, -atum | to act as servant; hand out |
11.72–84: The Return of the Dead & Dead Men Walking
tum geminas vestis auroque ostroque rigentis | |
extulit Aeneas, quas illi laeta laborum | |
ipsa suis quondam manibus Sidonia Dido | |
fecerat et tenui telas discreverat auro. | 75 |
harum unam iuveni supremum maestus honorem | |
induit arsurasque comas obnubit amictu, | |
multaque praeterea Laurentis praemia pugnae | |
aggerat et longo praedam iubet ordine duci; | |
addit equos et tela quibus spoliaverat hostem. | 80 |
vinxerat et post terga manus, quos mitteret umbris | |
inferias, caeso sparsurus sanguine flammas, | |
indutosque iubet truncos hostilibus armis | |
ipsos ferre duces inimicaque nomina figi. |
Study Questions
- Parse vestis (72).
- Parse rigentis (72).
- What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun quas (73)?
- Who does the pronoun illi (73) refer to? What is its rhetorical force?
- What noun does the adjective tenui (75) modify? What case is this noun-phrase in and why?
- What kind of genitive is harum (76)? What does the demonstrative pronoun refer back to?
- How does the phrase supremum … honorem (76) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Parse maestus (76).
- Parse arsuras (77).
- What is the etymology of obnubo (77)?
- What construction does iubet (79) govern?
- Parse duci (79).
- Identify and explain the case of quibus (80). What is its antecedent? Who is the subject of the relative clause?
- Parse manus (81).
- What is the antecedent of quos (81)?
- Identify and explain the mood of mitteret (81).
- How does inferias (82) fit into the syntax of its clause?
- What is the subject accusative of the indirect statement introduced by iubet (83)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does Virgil’s use of syntax and style in lines 72–75 reflect the fraught relationship between Aeneas and Dido?
- What is the overall structure of this passage?
- Identify verbal repetitions and the repeated use of striking imagery that endow this passage with thematic coherence.
- In the last three lines Virgil uses three compact phrases: caeso … sanguine (82: literally ‘slaughtered blood’); hostilibus armis (83: lit. ‘hostile arms’); inimica nomina (84: lit. ‘hostile names’). What is the effect? What would the ‘de-compacted’ Latin look like?
Discussion Points
- Why does Virgil recall Book 4 in Book 11 – and link Pallas to Dido?
- Discuss Virgil’s play with colour in this passage, looking out for items that are bright yellow and dark red.
- Virgil here continues to conflate elements of two Roman rituals: the triumph and the funeral parade. To what extent is this conflation programmatic of his worldview (as articulated in the Aeneid) more generally?
- How does the announcement that Aeneas will sprinkle the blood of slaughtered captives upon Pallas’ funeral pyre (81–82) impact on your assessment of his character?
- The picture on the next page illustrates the first encounter of Dido and Aeneas at Juno’s temple at Carthage (see Aeneid 1.441–642). Why is there a peacock lurking behind the statue in the middle? And can you make out what is depicted on the temple’s wall in the background (cf. Aeneid 1.474–8)?
ostrum, -i, n. | purple dye; material dyed purple |
rigeo, -ere | to be stiff, rigid, unbending |
tela, -ae, f. | cloth in the process of being woven; loom |
discerno, -ernere, -revi, -retum | to separate, divide off, distinguish |
induo, -uere, -ui, -utum | to put a garment (acc.) on a person (dat.) |
ardeo, -dere, -si | to burn, be cremated, die by fire |
obnubo, -ere | to veil, cover |
amictus, -us, m. | upper garment, mantle, cloak |
Laurens, -ntis, (adj.) | of or belonging to Laurentum |
aggero, -are, -avi, -atum | to place, heap up over, pile up |
spolio, -are, -avi, -atum | to strip (someone: acc.) of (something: abl.) |
vincio, -cire, -xi, -ctum - don’t confuse with: | to fasten, fetter, bind to defeat, conquer |
inferiae, -arum, f. pl. | offerings made to a dead person’s manes rites in honour of the dead |
spargo, -gere, -si, -sum | to scatter, sprinkle, shower, spatter |
truncus, -i, m. | body of a man, trunk, torso |
figo, -gere, -xi, -xum | to drive in, insert, fix, attach, plant |
11.85–93: The Grief Parade
ducitur infelix aevo confectus Acoetes, | 85 |
pectora nunc foedans pugnis, nunc unguibus ora, | |
sternitur et toto proiectus corpore terrae; | |
ducunt et Rutulo perfusos sanguine currus. | |
post bellator equus positis insignibus Aethon | |
it lacrimans guttisque umectat grandibus ora. | 90 |
hastam alii galeamque ferunt, nam cetera Turnus | |
victor habet. tum maesta phalanx Teucrique sequuntur | |
Tyrrhenique omnes et versis Arcades armis. |
Study Questions
- Identify and explain the case of aevo (85).
- How are we to construe terrae (87)?
- Who is the subject of ducunt (88)?
- How does post (89) fit into its sentence?
- What construction is positis insignibus (89)?
- Parse it (90).
- What construction is versis … armis (93)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What do you make of the tendency in lines 85–88 to have the verbs (85: ducitur; 87: sternitur; 88: ducunt) at the beginning of their respective clauses (against natural word order)?
- Analyze the rhetorical design of line 86.
- What is the effect of the enjambed phrase Turnus | victor (91–92)?
Discussion Points
- What are the thematic implications of the correspondences (in sound, word choice and verse design) between lines 86 and 90?
- Newman (1986: 165) notes that Acoetes’ enactment of his grief parallels that of Anna when she hears the news of Dido’s suicide (4.673: unguibus ora soror foedans et pectora pugnis: ‘a sister disfiguring her cheeks with her nails and her breast with her fists.’). He concludes: ‘Evidently the Aeneas who killed Dido in the service of his imperial ambitions has now killed Pallas.’ Do you get what he has in mind?
aevum, -i, n. | time, age, old age |
conficio, -icere, -eci, -ectum | to do, perform, accomplish, complete |
foedo, -are, -avi, -atum | to befoul, defile, disfigure, mangle, ravage |
pugnus, -i, m. (not to be confused with pugna | fist battle) |
unguis, -is, m. | fingernail; claw, talon |
os, oris, n. | mouth; face |
sterno, -ere, stravi, stratum - pass. in middle sense | to lay out on the ground, spread to lie or throw oneself prostrate |
proicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum - pf. ppl. | to throw or fling forth; lay low lying outstretched or prone |
perfundo, -undere, -udi, -usum | to wet, drench; flow over, wash |
currus, -us, m. | chariot |
bellator, -oris, m. - as adj. | warrior, fighter martial, warlike |
bellator equus | war-horse |
insigne, -is, n. | sign of distinction; decoration, trappings |
gutta, -ae, f. | drop |
umecto, -are, -avi, -atum | to make wet, moisten |
grandis, -is, -e | big, large, ample; weighty, solemn |
hasta, -ae, f. | spear, javelin |
galea, -ae, f. | helmet |
phalanx, -ngis (-ngos), f. | phalanx |
verto, -tere, -ti, -sum | to cause to revolve, turn (over), reverse |
11.94–99: The Parting of the Ways
postquam omnis longe comitum praecesserat ordo, | |
substitit Aeneas gemituque haec addidit alto: | 95 |
‘nos alias hinc ad lacrimas eadem horrida belli | |
fata vocant: salve aeternum mihi, maxime Palla, | |
aeternumque vale.’ nec plura effatus ad altos | |
tendebat muros gressumque in castra ferebat. |
Study Questions
- Parse comitum (94).
- What is the meaning of alto (95), what of altos (98)? In what ways (if any) do the meanings play off each other?
- Parse nos (96). How does it fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Parse maxime (97).
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the expressive value of the hyperbata omnis … ordo (94) and gemitu … alto (95)?
- Analyze the rhetorical force of nos (96).
- What is the effect of the repetition of aeternum – and its chiastic correlation with the imperatives salve and vale (97–98)?
- Explore the tone and connotations of the address maxime Palla (97).
Discussion Points
- What does the phrase alias … ad lacrimas tell you about Aeneas’ outlook on life?
- Discuss Aeneas’ relationship with the fata.
comes, -itis, m. (f.) | companion, comrade |
praecedo, -edere, -essi, -essum | to go on ahead, precede |
subsisto, -istere, -titi | to stand firm; to halt in one’s path, stop short |
gemitus, -us, m. | groaning, moaning |
hinc (adv.) | from this place, hence, from here |
horridus, -a, -um | rough, wild, rugged; harsh, grim; dreadful |
salve (imperative) | (at parting) farewell! |
valeo, -ere, -ui, -itum - vale/valeas | to be powerful, sound, well goodbye |
tendo, -dere, tetendi, -tum/-sum | to extend, stretch; to direct one’s course (to), proceed |
gressus, -us, m. [gradior + -tus] | step, pace, walk |
11.100–7: Latin Oratory
Iamque oratores aderant ex urbe Latina | 100 |
velati ramis oleae veniamque rogantes: | |
corpora, per campos ferro quae fusa iacebant, | |
redderet ac tumulo sineret succedere terrae; | |
nullum cum victis certamen et aethere cassis; | |
parceret hospitibus quondam socerisque vocatis. | 105 |
quos bonus Aeneas haud aspernanda precantis | |
prosequitur venia et verbis haec insuper addit: |
Study Questions
- What does the –que after veniam (101) link?
- Parse quae (102).
- What is odd about the mood of iacebant (102)? How would you explain it?
- Identify and explain the tense and mood of redderet (103), sineret (103) and parceret (105).
- What is the verb of the sentence nullum … cassis (104)?
- What does the et between certamen and aethere (104) link?
- What kind of ablative is aethere (104)?
- How does vocatis (105) fit into the syntax of its sentence?
- Parse aspernanda (106), scanning the line first. How does it fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Parse precantis (106).
Stylistic Appreciation
- Why has Virgil chosen to render the plea of the Latins in indirect speech? Rewrite it in direct speech.
- Analyze the design of the opening plea of the Latin envoys (102–3: corpora… | redderet).
Discussion Points
- What exactly is it that the Latin envoys request from Aeneas: a temporary truce or a permanent peace?
- What do the envoys mean when they say that Aeneas and his Trojans once called the Latins ‘hosts’ and ‘fathers-in-law’ (105)?
- Paschalis (1997: 361) sees an oblique presence of Pallas in the scene: ‘The olive is an emblem of peace (cf. 110–11 “pacem … oratis”) and a tree sacred to the goddess “Pallas”; the scene follows immediately after Aeneas’ last farewell to the dead “Pallas”.’ Do you agree?
orator, oris, m. | envoy, ambassador, spokesman; public speaker, orator, advocate |
velo, -are, -avi, -atum | to cover, clothe, decorate |
ramus, -i, m. | branch |
olea, -ae, f. | olive, olive-tree, foliage from the olive |
venia, -ae, f. | favour, kindness, pardon; relief, respite |
fundo, -ere, fudi, fusum - pass. of persons | to pour, send forth, emit to be stretched out on the ground |
reddo, -ere, -idi, -itum | to give back, restore |
tumulus, -i, m. | a rounded hill; burial mound, grave |
succedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum (+ dat.) | to move to a position below/in the shelter of |
aether, -eris, m. | the ether, sky, air |
cassus, -a, -um (+ abl. or gen.) | devoid of, lacking |
parco, -cere, peperci (+ dat.) | to act sparingly, refrain from, spare |
hospes, -itis, m. (f.) | guest; host |
quondam (adv.) | formerly; in ancient times; some day |
socer, -eri, m. | father-in-law |
haud (particle) | not |
aspernor, -ari, -atus | to repel, scorn, spur, reject |
precor, -ari, -atus | to pray or ask for; beg, beseech |
prosequor, -qui, -cutus | to accompany (with), follow, to furnish/honour (with), bestow upon |
insuper (adv.) | on top, above; in addition; besides |
11.108–21: ‘No Hero in History Has Been Treated More Unfairly!’
‘quaenam vos tanto fortuna indigna, Latini, | |
implicuit bello, qui nos fugiatis amicos? | |
pacem me exanimis et Martis sorte peremptis | 110 |
oratis? equidem et vivis concedere vellem. | |
nec veni, nisi fata locum sedemque dedissent, | |
nec bellum cum gente gero; rex nostra reliquit | |
hospitia et Turni potius se credidit armis. | |
aequius huic Turnum fuerat se opponere morti. | 115 |
si bellum finire manu, si pellere Teucros | |
apparat, his mecum decuit concurrere telis: | |
vixet cui vitam deus aut sua dextra dedisset. | |
nunc ite et miseris supponite civibus ignem.’ | |
dixerat Aeneas. illi obstipuere silentes | 120 |
conversique oculos inter se atque ora tenebant. |
Study Questions
- Who is the antecedent of the relative pronoun qui (109)?
- Identify and explain the tense and mood of fugiatis (109).
- How does amicos (109) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- What are the three constructions governed by oratis (111)?
- Explain the tense and mood of vellem (111).
- Parse – and explain – dedissent (112).
- What noun does nostra (113) modify?
- What construction does aequius … fuerat (115) govern?
- What kind of conditional sequence do we get in 116–17 (si … telis)?
- Who is the subject of apparat (117)?
- Parse vixet (118).
- Parse obstipuere (120).
- What does the –que after conversi (121) link?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the expressive value of the hyperbaton tanto … bello (108–9)?
- What are the connotations of pacem (110) – placed emphatically at the beginning of Aeneas’ rhetorical question?
- What is the rhetorical force of the hyperbaton his … telis (117)?
- With what rhetorical figure does Aeneas play in 118, with vixet and vitam?
Discussion Points
- Outline the view of Aeneas’ character and his mission that underwrites the Latin embassy – and analyze how Aeneas, in his answer, tries to expose this view as mightily misconceived.
- How can Aeneas, standing in the middle of a killing field littered with Latin corpses, claim that he is not at war with these people (113: nec bellum cum gente gero)?
- What are the thematic implications of Aeneas’ tendency to use (unorthodox) conditional sequences and counterfactuals? (See 111: vellem; 112: nisi … dedissent; 116–17: si apparat, … decuit; 118: vixet, cui … dedisset.)
- Why do the Latin envoys react to Aeneas’ speech the way they do (120–21)?
- The picture on the following page illustrates the showdown between Aeneas and Turnus that concludes the poem. Why does it take so long for this moment to materialise? Who is watching the scene from above? (A fowl tip: what birds accompany the figures?)
quisnam, quaenam, quidnam | who/what/which, tell me? |
indignus, -a, -um | not deserving, unmerited |
implico, -are, -avi/-ui, -atum/-itum | to fold or twine; |
fugio, -ere, fugi | to flee (from) |
exanimus, -a, -um | deprived of life, dead, lifeless |
sors, -rtis, f. | a lot, allocation, lot, fortune, destiny |
perimo, -imere, -emi, -emptum | to destroy, annihilate, kill |
oro, -are, -avi, -atum | + double acc.: to pray to/supplicate someone for something |
equidem (particle) | I for my part |
et (111) | here: also |
vivus, -a, -um | living, alive |
concedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum | to withdraw, give way, defer (to) |
sedes, -is, f. | (dwelling) place |
hospitium, -(i)i, n. | (ties of) hospitality |
relinquo, -inquere, -iqui, -ictum | to quit, forsake, leave |
credo, -ere, -idi, -itum | to commit, entrust, confide |
aeque (adv.); compar.: aequius | equitably, justly, fair |
oppono, -onere, -osui, -ositum | to place in the way of, expose to |
apparo, -are, -avi, -atum | to prepare, make ready, provide |
decet, -ere, decuit | to adorn, become |
concurro, -rere, -ri, -sum | to hurry together; |
vivo, -vere, -xi, -ctum | to be alive, live |
suppono, -onere, -osui, -ositum | to place under or beneath; |
obstipesco, -escere, -ui | to be struck dumb, be stunned, dazed |
sileo, -ere, -ui | to be silent; accept in silence |
converto, -tere, -ti, -sum | to cause to revolve, rotate, turn, invert |
os, oris, n. | mouth |
teneo, -ere, -ui, -tum | to hold, contain |
11.122–32: Drances Lets Rip
Tum senior semperque odiis et crimine Drances | |
infensus iuveni Turno sic ore vicissim | |
orsa refert: ‘o fama ingens, ingentior armis, | |
vir Troiane, quibus caelo te laudibus aequem? | 125 |
iustitiaene prius mirer belline laborum? | |
nos vero haec patriam grati referemus ad urbem | |
et te, si qua viam dederit Fortuna, Latino | |
iungemus regi. quaerat sibi foedera Turnus. | |
quin et fatalis murorum attollere moles | 130 |
saxaque subvectare umeris Troiana iuvabit.’ | |
dixerat haec unoque omnes eadem ore fremebant. |
Study Questions
- What does the –que after semper (122) link?
- Parse orsa (124).
- What kind of ablative is fama and armis (124)?
- Parse vir Troiane (125).
- Identify and explain the tense and mood of aequem (125).
- What kind of genitives are iustitiae and laborum? What kind of genitive is belli? (126)
- Parse mirer (126).
- Parse patriam (127).
- What tense is referemus (127)?
- What kind of conditional sequence does si (128) introduce?
- Parse iungemus (129).
- Explain the mood of quaerat (129).
- What noun does fatalis (130) modify?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Analyze the design of the phrase fama ingens, ingentior armis (124).
- How does the reference to Turnus (129: quaerat sibi foedera Turnus) fit into the speech as a whole?
Discussion Points
- Who is Drances? What does he add to the Aeneid? Is there value in seeing him as (a prototype of) Cicero?
- Explore the implications of the contrast in age between Drances (introduced as an old geezer: 122: senior) and Turnus, here programmatically called ‘a young man’ (123: iuveni Turno).
- Whom do you tend to flatter? Why do you do so and what language do you use?
- In the picture on the following page Drances has a go at Turnus in the upcoming council of Latinus. (Not part of the set text: the Latin quoted at the bottom comes from Aeneid 11.368–76. It is the end of Drances’ speech where he challenges Turnus to face up to Aeneas in a duel. Whom does Turnus prefer to face up to instead, drawing his sword?) Can you identify Drances, Latinus, and Turnus in the picture?
senior (comparative of senex) | older; a man of older years |
odium, -(i)i, n. | hatred, dislike, antipathy |
crimen, -inis, n. | indictment, charge, accusation; blame, reproach; misdeed, crime |
infensus, -a, -um | hostile, threatening; harmful, adverse |
os, oris, n. | mouth |
vicissim (adv.) | in turn |
orsa, -orum, n. pl. [ppp. of ordior, -diri, -sus | words, utterances to embark on, start, begin] |
refero, -rre, rettuli, relatum | to bring back, carry home, report |
ingens, -ntis (adj.) | huge, powerful, outstanding, heroic |
aequo, -are, -avi, -atum | to make level, match, rival |
prius (adv.) | previously, formerly; sooner, rather |
miror, -ari, -atus (here w. gen.) | to be surprised/amazed at |
patrius, -a, -um (adj.) | paternal, native |
gratus, -a, -um (adj.) | grateful, thankful |
iungo, -gere, -xi, -ctum | to put (animals) in the yoke, join together; |
foedus, -eris, n. | formal agreement, treaty (of peace/alliance) |
quin (et) (adv.) | and furthermore |
fatalis, -is, -e (adj.) | fateful, ordained by fate, fated; fatal, deadly |
murus, -i, m. | a wall |
attollo, -ere | to raise, lift up, erect; exalt, elevate |
moles, -is, f. | a large mass; massive structure or building; |
subvecto, -are, -avi, -atum | to convey upwards, to carry |
umerus, -i, m. | shoulder |
iuvo, -are, iuvi, iutum | to help, assist; |
fremo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to rumble, roar, hum; grumble, mutter, growl; |
11.133–38: An Epic Case of Peaceful Deforestation
bis senos pepigere dies, et pace sequestra | |
per silvas Teucri mixtique impune Latini | |
erravere iugis. ferro sonat alta bipenni | 135 |
fraxinus, evertunt actas ad sidera pinus, | |
robora nec cuneis et olentem scindere cedrum | |
nec plaustris cessant vectare gementibus ornos. |
Study Questions
- Parse pepigere (133) and erravere (135).
- What gender are fraxinus and pinus (136)? What cases are they in?
- What does nec … nec… (137–38) coordinate?
- What does the et in line 137 link?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Discuss the narrative effect of Virgil’s use of paratactic syntax in this passage.
- Explore the aesthetic frisson caused by the topsy-turvy word order, the (mild) hyperbata (ferro … bipenni, alta … fraxinus), and the enjambment of fraxinus in 135–36 (ferro… | fraxinus).
Discussion Points
- Explore the semantics of the term pax (cf. 133: pace sequestra: what, precisely, does this phrase mean?).
- In what ways does the image of ‘ethnic mixing’ in 134 (Teucri mixtique impune Latini) interact with larger plot patterns within the poem?
- Does Virgil enumerate the trees being felled (136: fraxinus, pinus; 137: robora, cedrum; 138: ornos) in any particular order? Botanists to the fore: are you able to identify each kind?
- The passage here stands in allusive dialogue with other literary loggings (not least for funerary purposes) both in the Aeneid and by other authors. Explore Virgil’s variations on the theme and his dialogue with his predecessors, using the parallel passages given in the commentary.
bis (adv.) | twice; (with numerals) two times |
seni, -ae, -a [sex + -nus] | six |
pango, -ere, pepigi, pactum | to arrange, settle for, stipulate, conclude |
sequester, -tra, -trum (noun) | mediator, intermediary, go-between; |
misceo, -ere, -ui, mixtum | to mix, blend, unite, merge, join, intermingle |
impune (adv.) | without punishment or retribution |
iugum, -i, n. | yoke; ridge |
ferrum, -i, n. | iron, (here) axe |
sono, -are, -ui, -itum | to make a noise, sound, resound |
bipennis, -is, -e | having two wings; having two blades/edges |
fraxinus, -i, f. | an ash-tree, ash |
everto, -tere, -ti, -sum | to turn upside down, reverse, overturn, |
pinus, -us, f. | pine-tree; pine-wood |
ago, agere, egi, actum (of plants) | to put forth (roots), to send out (shoots) |
robur, -oris, n. | an oak-tree; trunk |
cuneus, -i, m. | a wedge |
oleo, -ere, -ui | to give off a smell, to be redolent |
scindo, -ere, scidi, scissum | to divide, cleave, split |
cedrus, -i, f. | cedar |
plaustrum, -i, n. | waggon, cart |
cesso, -are, -avi, -atum | to hold back from, desist, rest, be inactive |
vecto, -are, -avi, -atum | to transport, carry |
gemo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to groan, moan; lament |
ornus, -i, f. | (wild mountain-) ash |
11.139–51: Mourning Becomes Evander
Et iam Fama volans, tanti praenuntia luctus, | |
Evandrum Evandrique domos et moenia replet, | 140 |
quae modo victorem Latio Pallanta ferebat. | |
Arcades ad portas ruere et de more vetusto | |
funereas rapuere faces; lucet via longo | |
ordine flammarum et late discriminat agros. | |
contra turba Phrygum veniens plangentia iungit | 145 |
agmina. quae postquam matres succedere tectis | |
viderunt, maestam incendunt clamoribus urbem. | |
at non Evandrum potis est vis ulla tenere, | |
sed venit in medios. feretro Pallante reposto | |
procubuit super atque haeret lacrimansque gemensque, | 150 |
et via vix tandem voci laxata dolore est: |
Study Questions
- Parse volans (139).
- How does praenuntia (139) fit into its sentence?
- What case is luctus (139)?
- What is the antecedent of quae (141)?
- How are we to construe Latio (141)?
- What is the force of the imperfect ferebat (141)?
- Parse ruere (142) and rapuere (143).
- Explain the syntax of quae (146).
- Parse potis (148).
- What construction is feretro … reposto (149)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the effect of the ‘gemination’ of Evander’s name in 140 (Evandrum Evandrique domos)?
- What does the series of present participles (139: volans; 145: veniens; 145: plangentia; 150: lacrimansque gemensque) contribute to the overall design of the passage?
- Discuss Virgil’s use of fire imagery in this passage.
- Rewritten in more straightforward Latin, line 148 would read: at nulla vis Evandrum tenere potest. What does Virgil go for – and why?
Discussion Points
- What is the role of Fama in this narrative sequence – and in the poem overall?
- How does Virgil portray the Arcadians in this passage? And the Trojans? What accounts for the differences?
volo, -are, -avi, -atum | to fly |
praenuntius, -a, -um | heralding |
luctus, -us, m. | grief, mourning, sorrow |
repleo, -ere, -evi, -etum | to fill again, fill up |
modo (adv.) | just, only; only recently, just now |
vetustus, -a, -um | ancient, old-established |
luceo, lucere, luxi | to shine, sparkle, glitter |
late (adv.) | over a large area, widely |
discrimino, -are, -avi, -atum | to divide up, separate |
Phryx, Phrygis | Phrygian; as noun: a Phrygian |
plango, -gere, -xi, -ctum | to beat, strike; mourn for, bewail |
succedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum | to move to position below/in the shelter of |
incendo, -dere, -di, -sum | to set on fire, light up; inflame, provoke |
potis (indecl. adj.) | (w. inf.) having the power, able to |
feretrum, -i, n. | bier |
repono, -onere, -osui, -ositum/-ostum | to put back, replace to lay (a body) to rest |
procumbo, -mbere, -bui, -bitum | to bend forward, lean or fall over, stretch out |
haereo, -rere, -si, -sum | to adhere, stick, cling; hold on tightly |
gemo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to groan, moan, lament |
laxo, -are, -avi, -atum | to make larger, widen, extend |
11.152–63: O Pallas, Ardent for Some Desperate Glory…
‘non haec, o Palla, dederas promissa parenti, | |
cautius ut saevo velles te credere Marti. | |
haud ignarus eram quantum nova gloria in armis | |
et praedulce decus primo certamine posset. | 155 |
primitiae iuvenis miserae bellique propinqui | |
dura rudimenta, et nulli exaudita deorum | |
vota precesque meae! tuque, o sanctissima coniunx, | |
felix morte tua neque in hunc servata dolorem! | |
contra ego vivendo vici mea fata, superstes | 160 |
restarem ut genitor. Troum socia arma secutum | |
obruerent Rutuli telis! animam ipse dedissem | |
atque haec pompa domum me, non Pallanta, referret! |
Study Questions
- Parse dederas (152).
- What is the train of thought that links 152 to 153?
- Parse cautius (153).
- Identify and explain the tense and mood of velles (153).
- Identify and explain the tense and the mood of posset (155).
- What case are primitiae (156), rudimenta (157), and vota precesque (158)?
- Identify and explain the case of nulli (157).
- What is the verb in the sentence tuque, o sanctissima coniunx, | felix morte tua neque in hunc servata dolorem! (158–59)?
- Parse vivendo (160).
- Parse Troum (161).
- How does secutum (161) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Identify and explain the tense and mood of dedissem (162) and referret (163).
- Why is domum (163) in the accusative?
Stylistic Appreciation
- How do the adjectives nova (154) and praedulce (155) inflect the nouns they modify (gloria and decus)?
- Analyze the design of nova gloria in armis | et praedulce decus primo certamine (154–55).
- What do you make of the fact that there is no finite verb in lines 156–59?
Discussion Points
- Lines 152–53 closely mirror 11.45–46 (Aeneas speaking): non haec Evandro de te promissa parenti | discedens dederam. What are the thematic implications of this intratextual dialogue?
- How does Evander interrelate (variants of) life and death here?
promissum, -i, n. | a promise, assurance |
caute (adv.) | carefully; without risk or danger |
credo, -ere, -idi, -itum | to commit, entrust; trust, rely on |
haud (particle) | not |
praedulcis, -is, -e (adj.) | excessively/very sweet |
decus, -oris, n. | high esteem, honour, glory |
certamen, -inis, n. | competition, rivalry; fight, battle; dispute |
primitiae, -arum f. pl. | the first-fruits, the beginnings |
propinquus, -a, -um (adj.) | near, close, neighbouring |
rudimentum, -i, n. | (esp. pl.) early training; first experience |
exaudio, -ire, -ivi/ii, -itum | to hear; to listen to/attend to; to heed |
votum, -i, n. | vow, votive offering, prayer |
prex, precis, f. | entreaty, prayer, supplication |
sanctus, -a, -um | sacrosanct, inviolate; holy, sacred, blessed |
coniunx, coniugis, m./f. | spouse; husband; wife |
servo, -are, -avi, -atum | to watch over, keep, set aside, preserve |
dolor, -oris, m. | physical pain; distress, anguish, grief |
contra (adv.) | on the opposite side; against |
vivo, -vere, -xi, -ctum | to be alive, live |
vinco, -ere, vici, victum | to conquer, overcome, beat, defeat |
superstes, -itis (adj.) | standing over; surviving |
resto, -are, -iti (intr.) | to remain, linger; resist |
genitor, -oris, m. | father |
obruo, -ere, -i, -tum | to smother; cover up; bury |
pompa, -ae, f. | procession |
11.164–72: The Old Lie: dulce et decorum est pro patria mori
nec vos arguerim, Teucri, nec foedera nec quas | |
iunximus hospitio dextras: sors ista senectae | 165 |
debita erat nostrae. quod si immatura manebat | |
mors gnatum, caesis Volscorum milibus ante | |
ducentem in Latium Teucros cecidisse iuvabit. | |
quin ego non alio digner te funere, Palla, | |
quam pius Aeneas et quam magni Phryges et quam | 170 |
Tyrrhenique duces, Tyrrhenum exercitus omnis. | |
magna tropaea ferunt quos dat tua dextera leto; |
Study Questions
- Identify and explain the tense and mood of arguerim (164). What are the three accusative objects that the verb governs?
- What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun quas (164)?
- What case is senectae … nostrae (165–66)? What is the effect of the hyperbaton and postponement of pronominal adjective nostrae?
- What construction is caesis Volscorum milibus (167)? Explain the genitive Volscorum.
- Parse digner (169).
Stylistic Appreciation
- What are the stylistic devices Virgil uses to underscore Evander’s failure to endow Pallas’ death with meaning?
Discussion Points
- How many foes did Pallas actually kill? (See Aeneid 10.362–438; hint: the death toll of Pallas’ killing spree recorded by Virgil doesn’t reach double figures.) What are we to make of the discrepancy between the narrative of the previous book and the ‘thousands of victims’ that Evander imagines?
- What is the force of the epithet pius (170) here?
arguo, -uere, -ui, -utum | to show, reveal, demonstrate, prove |
sors, -rtis, f. | lot; share, portion |
senecta, -ae, f. | period of old age, oldness |
debeo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to be under an obligation, owe |
quod si | but if |
immaturus, -a, -um (adj.) | immature, unripe; untimely, premature |
maneo, -ere, -si, -sum | (w. acc.) to wait for; be in store for, await |
(g)natus, -i, m. | son |
mille (indecl. noun and adj.) - pl. milia (millia), -ium | a thousand thousands; large numbers (of) |
caedo, -dere, cecîdi, -sum | to strike, smite; slay, murder; cut, destroy |
cado, -ere, cecidi, casum | to fall, drop; pass away, perish; happen |
iuvo, -are, iuvi, iutum | to help, assist |
quin (adv.) | and yes, indeed |
dignor, -ari, -atus (w. abl.) | to consider worthy (of) |
11.173–81: Vengeance is Yours!
tu quoque nunc stares immanis truncus in arvis, | |
esset par aetas et idem si robur ab annis, | |
Turne. sed infelix Teucros quid demoror armis? | 175 |
vadite et haec memores regi mandata referte: | |
quod vitam moror invisam Pallante perempto | |
dextera causa tua est, Turnum gnatoque patrique | |
quam debere vides. meritis vacat hic tibi solus | |
fortunaeque locus. non vitae gaudia quaero, | 180 |
nec fas, sed gnato manis perferre sub imos.’ |
Study Questions
- What kind of conditional sequence does Virgil use in 173–74?
- Parse regi (176).
- What construction is Pallante perempto (177)?
- What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun quam (179)?
- Sort out the datives meritis, tibi, and fortunae (179–80).
- Is vitae (180) genitive or dative?
- Parse manis (181).
Stylistic Appreciation
- Why does Evander deviate from natural word order to the extent that he does? (Cf. the post-positive position of si (174), quid (175), quam (179), the hyperbata tu quoque … Turne (173–75) and hic … solus … locus (179–80) and the anastrophe manis … sub imos (181)?
Discussion Point
- Do the terms (ethical, economical) of the revenge killing Evander here commissions make sense to you?
immanis, -is, -e | savage, brutal; vast, of enormous size |
robur, -oris, n. | oak-tree; firmness, strength, vigour |
demoror, -ari, -atus | to cause delay to, keep waiting, detain |
vado, -ere | to proceed, go |
memor, -oris (adj.) | mindful; commemorative |
mandatum, -i, n. | order, instruction, commission, charge |
moror, -ari, -atus | to delay, detain, hold back, impede; remain |
invisus, -a, -um | hateful, odious, disliked, unpopular |
perimo, -imere, -emi, -emptum | to destroy, annihilate, kill |
meritum, -i, n. (ppp. of mereo) | due reward; worthiness |
vaco, -are, -avi, -atum | to be empty, devoid of, free from, exempt |
manes, -ium, m. pl. | the spirits of the dead |
perfero, -rre, pertuli, perlatum | to carry/convey to, deliver; endure |
imus, -a, -um | lowest, bottommost |
11.182–92: Fire Darkness
Aurora interea miseris mortalibus almam | |
extulerat lucem referens opera atque labores: | |
iam pater Aeneas, iam curvo in litore Tarchon | |
constituere pyras. huc corpora quisque suorum | 185 |
more tulere patrum, subiectisque ignibus atris | |
conditur in tenebras altum caligine caelum. | |
ter circum accensos cincti fulgentibus armis | |
decurrere rogos, ter maestum funeris ignem | |
lustravere in equis ululatusque ore dedere. | 190 |
spargitur et tellus lacrimis, sparguntur et arma, | |
it caelo clamorque virum clangorque tubarum. |
Study Questions
- Why does Virgil here call Aeneas pater (184)?
- On what noun does the genitive suorum (185) depend?
- Parse tulere (186).
- What construction is subiectis ignibus atris (186)?
- How are we supposed to construe caligine (187)?
- What noun does the participle accensos (188) modify?
- How are we to construe cincti (188)?
- Parse decurrere (189).
- Parse lustravere and dedere (190).
- What kind of dative is caelo (192)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Discuss the narratological implications of the pluperfect extulerat (183).
- Savour the sound-play in miseris mortalibus and almam … lucem (182–83).
- What is the effect of the anaphora iam … iam (184)?
- Why do we only get a double (and not, as the word would lead one to suppose, triple) anaphora of ter (188–89)?
- What is the effect of the asyndeton spargitur – sparguntur – it (191–92), even though the verses are full of connectives (et tellus, et arma, clamorque … clangorque)?
- Explore the overall design of this passage – with particular attention to the way Virgil interrelates human affairs and the cosmos.
Discussion Point
- Virgil uses a lot of ‘foundational’ imagery in this passage, to do with Roman (religious) identity. What is it doing in a funerary context?
Aurora, -ae, f. | the dawn, daybreak, sunrise |
almus, -a, -um (adj.) | nurturing, fostering, life-giving; kindly |
effero, -rre, extuli, elatum | to carry/bring out or away; reveal; raise |
lux, -lucis, f. | light; daylight; |
refero, -rre, rettuli, relatum | to bring back, carry home, return; report |
curvus, -a, -um (adj.) | bent, crooked, dinted; swerving, winding |
litus, -oris, n. | sea-shore, coast, strand; beach |
pyra, -ae, f. | a funeral pile, pyre |
huc (adv.) | to this place, hither |
quisque, quaeque, quidque | each (of several) |
subicio, -icere, -ieci, -ectum | to throw from below, place underneath |
ater, atra, atrum | black, dark-coloured; smoky |
condo, -ere, -idi, -itum | to put/insert into; put out of sight, hide |
tenebrae, -arum, f. pl. | darkness |
caligo, -inis, f. | darkness, obscurity; |
ter (adv.) | three times, thrice |
accendo, -dere, -di, -sum | to set on fire, kindle, ignite |
cingo, -gere, -xi, -ctum | to surround, encircle; gird, equip |
fulgeo, -gere, -si | to shine brightly, flash, glitter, gleam |
decurro, -rrere, -rri, -rsum | to run down; to carry out rituals/manoeuvres |
rogus, -i, m. | funeral pyre; ashes of the dead |
lustro, -are, -avi, -atum | to purify ceremonially, move/circle round; |
ululatus, -us, m. | cries, howling, yelling |
os, oris, n. | mouth |
spargo, -gere, -si, -sum | to scatter in drops, sprinkle, strew, shower |
clangor, -oris, m. | crying, clamour, screaming; blare, blast |
tuba, -ae, f. | trumpet |
11.193–202: Flames, Blood, and Ashes
hic alii spolia occisis derepta Latinis | |
coniciunt igni, galeas ensisque decoros | |
frenaque ferventisque rotas; pars munera nota, | 195 |
ipsorum clipeos et non felicia tela. | |
multa boum circa mactantur corpora Morti, | |
saetigerosque sues raptasque ex omnibus agris | |
in flammam iugulant pecudes. tum litore toto | |
ardentis spectant socios semustaque servant | 200 |
busta, neque avelli possunt, nox umida donec | |
invertit caelum stellis ardentibus aptum. |
Study Questions
- What kind of ablative is Latinis (modified by occisis) (193)?
- How does galeas ensisque decoros | frenaque ferventisque rotas (194–95) fit into the sentence?
- Parse ensis (194).
- Parse ferventis (195).
- What is the verb of the clause starting with pars (195)?
- Parse boum (197).
- What noun does the participle raptas (198) modify?
- Can you spot the animals of the suovetaurilia = the sacrifice of a pig (sus), a sheep (ovis) and a bull (taurus) in these lines?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Is the s-alliteration and assonance in 200–1 (ardentis spectant socios semustaque servant | busta) expressive of anything?
- What do you make of the jingle semusta… | busta (200–1)?
- In what ways does the phrase stellis ardentibus pick up and invert (cf. 202: invertit) ardentis … socios (200)?
Discussion Point
- In lines 197–99, we get a prototype of one of the most solemn rites of Roman religion, the sacrifice of a pig, a sheep, and a bull. What do you make of the fact that the Trojans already perform it here?
spolium, -ii, n. | (usu. pl.) spoils |
occido, -dere, -di, -sum | to kill, slaughter |
deripio, -ipere, -ipui, -eptum | to tear or pull off; seize and take away |
conicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum | to put, cast, throw |
galea, -ae, f. | helmet |
decorus, -a, -um (adj.) | fine in appearance, handsome; glorious, noble |
frenum, -i, n. | bridle, harness |
fervens, -ntis (adj.) | intensely hot, boiling; ardent |
rota, -ae, f. | wheel |
munus, -eris, n. | function, task; duty; gift, tribute, token |
notus, -a, -um (adj.) | known, well-known; accustomed, familiar |
clipeus, -i, m. | shield |
bos, bovis, m./f. | cattle; ox, bull; cow |
macto, -are, -avi, -atum | to honour; afflict; sacrifice; kill |
saetiger, -era, -erum (adj.) | bristly |
sus, suis, m./f. | pig, sow |
iugulo, -are, -avi, -atum | to kill by cutting the throat; slaughter |
pecus, -oris, n. | farm animals; sheep; cattle |
sem(i)ustus, -a, -um (adj.) | half-burnt, scorched, singed |
bustum, -i, n. | funeral pyre; grave-mound, tomb |
avello, -ellere, -elli/-olsi, -ulsum | to pluck off; to tear or wench away |
donec (conj.) | until; while |
inverto, -tere, -ti, -sum | to turn upside down/inside out; reverse |
aptus, -a, -um (adj.) | tied, fastened; fitted/provided (with) |
11.203–12: The Latin Dead
Nec minus et miseri diversa in parte Latini | |
innumeras struxere pyras, et corpora partim | |
multa virum terrae infodiunt, avectaque partim | 205 |
finitimos tollunt in agros urbique remittunt. | |
cetera confusaeque ingentem caedis acervum | |
nec numero nec honore cremant; tunc undique vasti | |
certatim crebris conlucent ignibus agri. | |
tertia lux gelidam caelo dimoverat umbram: | 210 |
maerentes altum cinerem et confusa ruebant | |
ossa focis tepidoque onerabant aggere terrae. |
Study Questions
- What is the meaning of et (203) here?
- Parse struxere (204).
- Parse virum (205).
- What noun does the participle avecta (205) modify?
- How does finitimos (206) fit into the sentence?
- What noun does vasti (208) modify?
- Identify and explain the case of caelo (210).
- What is the accusative object of onerabant (212)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does Virgil bring out the innumerable number of the dead in need of burial in lines 203–8?
- Analyze the design of tunc undique vasti | certatim crebris conlucent ignibus agri (208–9).
- What is the effect of the hyperbaton gelidam … umbram (210)?
Discussion Point
- Compare and contrast Virgil’s depiction of the Latin funerals with those performed by Aeneas and his allies in the previous section.
nec minus (connecting formula) | (and) likewise; (and) as well; equally |
diversus, -a, -um (adj.) | turned, pointed; |
struo, -ere, -xi, -ctum | to set in position, arrange; |
partim (adv.) - partim et partim | partly partly one and partly the other |
infodio, -odere, -odi, -ossum | to bury, inter; to sink in |
aveho, -here, -xi, -ctum | to convey away, to carry off |
finitimus, -a, -um (adj.) | neighbouring, nearby, adjacent |
remitto, -ittere, -isi, -issum | to send back, return to |
confusus, -a, -um (adj.) | mixed together; disordered, jumbled |
caedes, -is, f. | killing, slaughter, massacre |
acervus, -i, m. | a heap, pile, stack; large quantity, mass |
tunc (adv.) | at that moment (in the past), then |
undique (adv.) | from/on every side, everywhere |
vastus, -a, -um (adj.) | desolate, dreary; huge, vast |
certatim (adv.) | in competition |
conluceo, -cere, -xi | to shine brightly; to be bright |
dimoveo, -overe, -ovi, -otum | to part, disperse; remove |
maereo, -ere | to be sad, mourn, grieve; bewail |
cinis, -eris, m. | ashes |
ruo, -ere, -i | to rush; collapse |
focus, -i, m. | hearth, fire-place |
onero, -are, -avi, -atum | to load, heap, weigh down with |
tepidus, -a, -um (adj.) | warm |
agger, -eris, m. | earthwork, ramp, rampart; mound |
11.213–24: Necropolitics: Stop the War!
iam vero in tectis, praedivitis urbe Latini, | |
praecipuus fragor et longi pars maxima luctus. | |
hic matres miseraeque nurus, hic cara sororum | 215 |
pectora maerentum puerique parentibus orbi | |
dirum exsecrantur bellum Turnique hymenaeos; | |
ipsum armis ipsumque iubent decernere ferro, | |
qui regnum Italiae et primos sibi poscat honores. | |
ingravat haec saevus Drances solumque vocari | 220 |
testatur, solum posci in certamina Turnum. | |
multa simul contra variis sententia dictis | |
pro Turno, et magnum reginae nomen obumbrat, | |
multa virum meritis sustentat fama tropaeis. |
Study Questions
- Parse luctus (214).
- Scan lines 215–17 and explore the correlation of theme and metrical design.
- Parse maerentum (216).
- Identify and explain the mood of poscat (219).
- What is the verb of the sentence multa … pro Turno (222–23)?
- What is the accusative object of obumbrat (223)?
- What noun does multa (223) modify?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the point of the repetitions ipsum … ipsumque (218) and solum – solum (220, 221)?
- How do style and syntax enact theme in 222–24?
Discussion Point
- Does Turnus get a fair hearing? (Read on: is he going to get one? You be his advocate; argue his case.)
praedives, -itis (adj.) | outstandingly rich, superabundant |
praecipuus, -a, -um | peculiar, special; outstanding; |
fragor, -oris, m. | act/process of breaking; crash, roar |
nurus, -us, f. | daughter-in-law; |
dirus, -a, -um (adj.) | awful, dire, dreadful |
exsecror, -ari, -atus | to curse; detest |
hymenaeus, -i, m. | (usu. pl.) wedding, match, marriage |
decerno, -ernere, -revi, -retum | to bring to a decision, settle, decide |
posco, -ere, poposci | to ask for, call for, demand |
ingravo, -are, -avi, -atum | to weight down; make worse |
testor, -ari, -atus | to invoke, appeal to; |
certamen, -inis, n. | competition, contention, rivalry |
simul (adv.) | together; at the same time; as well |
varius, -a, -um (adj.) | variegated, varied, different; fickle |
obumbro, -are, -avi, -atum | to darken, overshadow, obscure |
meritus, -a, -um (adj.) | well-deserved, just, due; deserving |
sustento, -are, -avi, -atum | to hold up, support, maintain |
11.498–506: Enter Camilla
Obvia cui Volscorum acie comitante Camilla | |
occurrit portisque ab equo regina sub ipsis | |
desiluit, quam tota cohors imitata relictis | 500 |
ad terram defluxit equis; tum talia fatur: | |
‘Turne, sui merito si qua est fiducia forti, | |
audeo et Aeneadum promitto occurrere turmae | |
solaque Tyrrhenos equites ire obvia contra. | |
me sine prima manu temptare pericula belli, | 505 |
tu pedes ad muros subsiste et moenia serva.’ |
Study Questions
- Explain the syntax of cui (498) and identify and explain the case.
- What construction is Volscorum acie comitante (498)?
- Explain the syntax of the relative pronoun quam (500). What is its antecedent?
- What construction is relictis | …equis (500–1)?
- What noun does the genitive sui (502) depend on?
- Parse qua (502).
- What kind of dative is forti (502)?
- Parse Aeneadum (503).
- How does sola (504) fit into the sentence?
- Parse sine (505).
- What noun does prima (505) modify? manu or pericula?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Is there a point to the anastrophe + hyperbaton portis … sub ipsis (499)?
- What outlook on life is embedded in the si-clause sui merito si qua est fiducia forti (502) – and why might Camilla think it rhetorically expedient to bring it into play in the present situation?
- What do you make of the lexical repetitions between narrative and speech (498: obvia ~ 504: obvia; 499: occurrit ~ 503: occurrere)?
- Discuss the design and rhetorical effect of the antithesis between me and tu, the first words of, respectively, 505 and 506.
Discussion Point
- This is Camilla’s first appearance in Book 11 and first short speech (two to follow): how does she come across? And does her entry here confirm the expectations a reader might have on the basis of her catalogue entry at 7.803–17 (see above 23)?
obvius, -a, -um (adj.) | placed so as to meet; meeting, to meet |
comito, -are, -avi, -atum | to accompany, attend, follow |
occurro, -rrere, -rri, -rsum (c. dat.) | to meet |
desilio, -ire, -ui | to jump down, dismount |
cohors, -rtis, f. | an armed force; cohort; entourage |
imitor, -ari, -atus | to copy, follow, imitate |
relinquo, -inquere, -iqui, -ictum | to depart from, leave |
defluo, -ere, -xi, -xum | to flow/glide down, descend |
for, fari, fatus | to speak, talk |
merito (adv.) | deservedly; with good cause |
fiducia, -ae, f. | trust, reliance, confidence, assurance |
audeo, -dere, -sus | to dare, venture |
turma, -ae, f. | troop of riders, squadron of cavalry |
sino, sinere, sivi, situm | to leave alone, let be; let, allow, permit |
tempto, -are, -avi, -atum | to test, try, attack |
subsisto, -istere, -titi | to stand firm, stop short, remain |
11.507–21: Turnus’ Turn
Turnus ad haec oculos horrenda in virgine fixus: | |
‘o decus Italiae virgo, quas dicere grates | |
quasve referre parem? sed nunc, est omnia quando | |
iste animus supra, mecum partire laborem. | 510 |
Aeneas, ut fama fidem missique reportant | |
exploratores, equitum levia improbus arma | |
praemisit, quaterent campos; ipse ardua montis | |
per deserta iugo superans adventat ad urbem. | |
furta paro belli convexo in tramite silvae, | 515 |
ut bivias armato obsidam milite fauces. | |
tu Tyrrhenum equitem conlatis excipe signis; | |
tecum acer Messapus erit turmaeque Latinae | |
Tiburtique manus, ducis et tu concipe curam.’ | |
sic ait, et paribus Messapum in proelia dictis | 520 |
hortatur sociosque duces et pergit in hostem. |
Study Questions
- 507: What is the main verb?
- How does decus Italiae (508) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Parse grates (508).
- Identify and explain the mood of parem (509).
- Parse partire (510).
- What kind of clause does ut (511) introduce?
- What are the subjects of reportant (511)? Put differently, what does the –que after missi link?
- Parse equitum (512).
- Explain the syntax of quaterent campos (513).
- How are we to imagine the terrain that Aeneas traverses (513–14)?
- What ethnicity does Turnus refer to with Tyrrhenum (517)?
- What construction is conlatis … signis (517)?
- Who are Messapus (518) and Tiburtus (519)?
- What kind of genitive is ducis (519)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Rewrite the quando clause in 509–10 in standard prose word order. Why is it all jumbled up here?
- How might design mirror theme in line 516?
Discussion Points
- Compare and contrast Turnus’ speech with Camilla’s: who is the more courteous, who more forceful?
- What do you think of Turnus’ strategy?
- How does the picture on the following page portray the dynamics of power and gender between Camilla and Turnus?
horrendus, -a, -um | awe-inspiring, terrible, fearful |
figo, -gere, -xi, -xum | to drive in, fix in/on, insert, fasten |
decus, -oris, m. | high esteem, honour, glory; beauty |
grates, -ium, f. | thanksgiving, thanks rendered |
-ve (enclitic conjunction) | or |
paro, -are, -avi, -atum | to furnish, supply, provide, prepare; |
quando (conj.) | when; seeing that, since |
partior, -iri, -itum | to share, distribute, divide out/up |
fides, -ei, f. | trust, guarantee, promise |
reporto, -are, -avi, -atum | to take/carry back, report |
explorator, -oris, m. | investigator; scout, spy |
eques, -itis, m. | horseman, rider, cavalryman; knight |
improbus, -a, -um (adj.) | inferior, unsound, shameless, insolent |
praemitto, -ittere, -isi, -issum | to send in advance/ahead (of) |
quatio, -tere, -ssum | to shake, rock, agitate; |
arduus, -a, -um (adj.) | lofty, high, towering; steep |
desertus, -a, -um (adj.) - deserta, -orum, n. pl. | empty, deserted, uninhabited unfrequented places, wilderness |
iugum, -i, n. | yoke; ridge, cliff, upper slopes |
supero, -are, -avi, -atum | to climb over, cross, get beyond, pass; |
advento, -are, -avi, -atum | to approach, draw near, arrive |
furtum, -i, n. | stealing, robbery, theft; secret action |
convexus, -a, -um (adj.) | curving outwards, arching; |
trames, -itis, m. | a footpath, track, path |
bivius, -a, -um (adj.) | that is traversable both ways |
obsido, -ere | to besiege, beleaguer |
fauces, -ium, f. pl. | throat, windpipe; |
confero, -rre, contuli, collatum - signa conferre | to bring, take, carry, convey, bestow to engage in a pitched battle |
excipio, -ipere, -epi, -eptum | to take out; accept, receive, absorb |
concipio, -ipere, -epi, -eptum | to receive, draw in, absorb |
pergo, -gere, -rexi, -rectum | to move onward, proceed |
11.532–38: A Virginal Threesome (Diana, Opis, Camilla)
Velocem interea superis in sedibus Opim, | |
unam ex virginibus sociis sacraque caterva, | |
compellabat et has tristis Latonia voces | |
ore dabat: ‘graditur bellum ad crudele Camilla, | 535 |
o virgo, et nostris nequiquam cingitur armis, | |
cara mihi ante alias. neque enim novus iste Dianae | |
venit amor subitaque animum dulcedine movit. |
Study Questions
- What noun does Velocem (532) modify?
- Who is the subject of the sentence starting with Velocem (532)?
- Who is Opis (532)?
- Explain the semantic value of ex (533).
- What phrases does the –que after sacra link (533)?
- What noun does tristis (534) modify?
- Who is Latonia (534)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the rhetorical effect of Diana’s apostrophe of Opis with o virgo (536)?
- How come Diana speaks of herself in the third person (537–38)?
Discussion Point
- What is the nature of the relationship between the three characters that come into focus here (Diana, Opis, Camilla)?
velox, -ocis (adj.) | swift, speedy, rapid |
superus, -a, -um (adj.) | situated above, upper; celestial |
Ops (Opis), Opis f. | Opis (a Roman goddess) |
socius, -a, -um (adj.) | accompanying, associated |
caterva, -ae, f. | company, band; crowd |
compello, -ellere, -uli, -ulsum | to drive together, round up |
tristis, -is, -e (adj.) | depressed, gloomy, unhappy; grim |
Latonia, -ae, f. | the daughter of Leto, Diana |
gradior, -i, gressus | to proceed, step, walk |
nequiquam (adv.) | to no purpose, vainly; without cause |
cingo, -gere, -xi, -ctum | to surround, encircle; gird, equip |
subitus, -a, -um (adj.) | sudden, abrupt; impromptu |
dulcedo, -inis, f. | sweetness; pleasantness, charm |
11.539–46: ‘They F*** You up, Your Mum and Dad. They May not Mean to, but They Do.’
pulsus ob invidiam regno virisque superbas | |
Priverno antiqua Metabus cum excederet urbe, | 540 |
infantem fugiens media inter proelia belli | |
sustulit exsilio comitem, matrisque vocavit | |
nomine Casmillae mutata parte Camillam. | |
ipse sinu prae se portans iuga longa petebat | |
solorum nemorum: tela undique saeva premebant | 545 |
et circumfuso volitabant milite Volsci. |
Study Questions
- Identify and explain the case of regno (539).
- Parse viris (539).
- What does the –que after viris link (539)?
- What noun does antiqua (540) modify?
- Explain the use of the word cum in line 540.
- Identify and explain the case of exsilio (542).
- How does comitem (542) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- What construction is mutata parte (543)?
- What is the subject, what the object of premebant (545)?
- What construction is circumfuso … milite (546)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Why might the design of the sentence pulsus … Camillam (539–43) be so convoluted?
Discussion Point
- What faults did Camilla’s mum and dad fill her with? Which ones did they add as extras, just for her?
pello, -ere, pepuli, pulsum | to beat, push, strike; drive away, expel |
ob (prep. + acc.) | in the direction of; by reason of |
invidia, -ae, f. | ill will, spite, indignation, jealousy |
regnum, -i, n. | kingship, political control, dominion |
vis, vis, f. (pl. vires, virium) | strength, force, violence, power |
superbus, -a, -um | proud, haughty, disdainful |
Privernum, -i, n. | Privernum (a Volscian town) |
excedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum | to go away, withdraw, retire, depart |
infans, -ntis (adj.) | tongue-tied, inarticulate; |
comes, -itis, m./f. | companion, comrade; partner, sharer |
tollo, -ere, sustuli, sublatum | to pick up, lift, hoist; |
sinus, -us, m. | fold, bosom, refuge, shelter |
solus, -a, -um (adj.) | alone, lonely, forsaken, deserted |
nemus, -oris, n. | wood, forest |
undique (adv.) | from all sides/directions |
premo, -mere, -ssi, -ssum | to apply pressure, press |
circumfundo, -fundere, -fudi, -fusum | to pour round, distribute; surround |
volito, -are, -avi, -atum | to fly (about), move swiftly, flit |
11.547–56: A Stroke of Inspearation
ecce fugae medio summis Amasenus abundans | |
spumabat ripis, tantus se nubibus imber | |
ruperat. ille innare parans infantis amore | |
tardatur caroque oneri timet. omnia secum | 550 |
versanti subito vix haec sententia sedit: | |
telum immane manu valida quod forte gerebat | |
bellator, solidum nodis et robore cocto, | |
huic natam libro et silvestri subere clausam | |
implicat atque habilem mediae circumligat hastae; | 555 |
quam dextra ingenti librans ita ad aethera fatur: |
Study Questions
- What noun does summis (547) modify?
- Who is Amasenus (547) and where is he located?
- What kind of genitive is infantis (549)?
- What (implied) pronoun does the participle versanti (551) agree with?
- Discuss the syntax of telum immane (552).
- What are the main verbs of the sentence beginning with telum immane (552)?
- Identify and explain the cases of, respectively, huic and libro (554).
- Parse subere (554).
- Explain the syntax of quam (556).
- Parse aethera (556). (Put differently, this looks like a neuter noun in the accusative plural – in fact, it’s a masculine noun in the accusative singular: how come?)
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the rhetorical effect of the hyperbaton summis … ripis (547–48)?
- How does verse design enact theme in the placement of ruperat (549)?
- Where in this passage does Virgil make particularly expressive use of meter?
- What phrase has Virgil placed at the very centre of this block of verses?
- Discuss the dramatic impact of the quickly shifting subjects in this passage.
Discussion Points
- What information about Camilla is encoded in the name Amasenus?
- What characteristics does Metabus imprint on his daughter here?
- What would you have done in Metabus’ situation?
- Get hold of Boccaccio’s entry on Camilla in his neo-Latin treatise De muliebribus claris (On Famous Women) and compare and contrast his coverage with that of Virgil. (The illustration on the following page is from a German translation of Boccaccio’s Latin, produced in the very early days of print culture. Can you make out Camilla, Metabus, the Amasenus River and the angry Volscians in pursuit? How did the early-modern bookmakers deal with the challenge of capturing a story in an image?)
ecce (interjection) | see! behold! look! lo and behold! |
fuga, -ae, f. | flight; route; exile, banishment |
abundans, -ntis (adj.) | overflowing, in flood, full; plentiful |
spumo, -are, -avi, -atum | to foam, froth |
ripa, -ae, f. | river-bank |
nubes, -is, f. | cloud |
imber, -bris, m. | rain, shower; rain-water |
rumpo, rumpere, rupi, ruptum | to cause to split open/explode, burst |
inno, -are | to swim |
paro, -are, -avi, -atum | to furnish, supply, provide |
tardo, -are, -avi, -atum | to cause to slow down, delay, check |
carus, -a, -um | expensive, costly, dear; beloved |
onus, -eris, n. | burden, load; task, charge |
verso, -are, -avi, -atum | to keep turning round/over |
sedeo, -ere, sedi, sessum (of a course of action) | to sit, be seated; rest to be settled or decided on |
sententia, -ae, f. | opinion, sentiment; vote, decision; |
validus, -a, -um (adj.) | powerful, robust, strong; stout, tough |
forte (adv.) | by chance, accidentally, fortuitously |
gero, -rere, -ssi, -stum | to bear, carry; perform, do, carry on |
bellator, -oris, m. | warrior, fighter |
solidus, -a, -um (adj.) | solid, firm, unyielding |
nodus, -i, m. | knot, node, joint |
robur, oris, n. | on oak-tree; club, spear; timber |
coquo, -quere, -xi, -ctum | to cook; burn; dry up |
liber, -bri, m. | bark, rind, bast; book, roll |
silvestris, -tris, -tre | wooded, of the forest |
suber, -eris, n. | cork-oak |
claudo, -dere, -si, -sum | to close, shut, enclose; cover, conceal |
implico, -are, -avi/-ui, -atum/-itum + acc. and dat. | to fold, twine about itself; entwine to entwine one thing about another |
habilis, -is, -e (adj.) | easy to handle/wield, adaptable, fit |
circumligo, -are, -avi, -atum | to bind round, surround, encircle |
libro, -are, -avi, -atum | to level, balance, poise |
aether, -eris, m. | heaven, ether; air, sky |
11.557–66: Camilla Speared
“alma, tibi hanc, nemorum cultrix, Latonia virgo, | |
ipse pater famulam voveo; tua prima per auras | |
tela tenens supplex hostem fugit. accipe, testor, | |
diva tuam, quae nunc dubiis committitur auris.” | 560 |
dixit, et adducto contortum hastile lacerto | |
immittit: sonuere undae, rapidum super amnem | |
infelix fugit in iaculo stridente Camilla. | |
at Metabus magna propius iam urgente caterva | |
dat sese fluvio, atque hastam cum virgine victor | 565 |
gramineo, donum Triviae, de caespite vellit. |
Study Questions
- What case are alma, cultrix, and Latonia virgo (557)?
- Explain the syntax of famulam (558).
- What is the subject of fugit (559)?
- What kind of ablative is adducto … lacerto (561)?
- Parse sonuere (562).
- What kind of construction is magna … urgente caterva (564)?
- What noun does gramineo (566) modify?
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does Metabus articulate his reverence towards Diana?
- What iconic image of Camilla does the alliteration tua… | tela tenens (558–59) underscore?
- Why does Diana call Camilla infelix (563)?
- Consider the placement of the main verbs in lines 561–66 – and how they interrelate with the two named characters (Camilla and Metabus).
Discussion Point
- What is the theology that underwrites Metabus’ prayer to Diana here?
almus, -a, -um (adj.) | nourishing, kind, propitious |
cultrix, -icis, f. | female inhabitant; devotee |
famulus, -i, m. | servant, attendant |
voveo, -vere, vovi, votum | to promise, vow |
supplex, -icis, m./f. | suppliant |
fugio, -ere, fugi | to run away (from), flee (from) |
accipio, -ipere, -epi, -eptum | to receive; acquire, get; learn |
testor, -ari, -atus | to invoke as a witness, testify |
diva, -ae, f. | goddess |
dubius, -a, -um (adj.) | uncertain, hesitant, wavering |
committo, -ittere, -isi, -issum (w. dat.) | to bring together, join, engage to place in the hands of, entrust to |
aura, -ae, f. | air, breeze, wind |
adduco, -cere, -xi, -ctum | to lead, bring; induce, cause |
contorqueo, -quere, -si, -tum | to twist, whirl, turn |
hastile, -is, n. | shaft or handle of a spear; spear |
lacertus, -i, m. | arm |
immitto, -ittere, -isi, -issum | to cause to go, send; throw, discharge, |
sono, -are (-ere), -ui, -itum | to make a noise, sound |
rapidus, -a, -um (adj.) | strong-flowing, swiftly moving, rapid; |
amnis, -is, m./f. | river, stream |
iaculum, -i, n. | spear, javelin, missile |
strido, -ere, -i | to whistle, shriek, whirr, wizz, hiss |
propior, -ior, -ius (compar. adj.) | nearer, closer |
urgeo, -ere, ursi | to exert pressure, press; push |
fluvius, -(i)i, m. | stream, current, river |
gramineus, -a, -um | covered with grass, grassy |
donum, -i, n. | present, gift |
caepes, -itis, m. | sod, turf, grassy ground; rampart |
vello, -ere, -i/vulsi, vulsum | to pull/pluck out, extract |
11.567–72: Got Milk?
non illum tectis ullae, non moenibus urbes | |
accepere (neque ipse manus feritate dedisset), | |
pastorum et solis exegit montibus aevum. | |
hic natam in dumis interque horrentia lustra | 570 |
armentalis equae mammis et lacte ferino | |
nutribat teneris immulgens ubera labris. |
Study Questions
- What noun does ullae (567) modify?
- Parse accepere (568).
- Parse manus (568).
- What kind of ablative is feritate (568)?
- Identify and explain the mood of dedisset (568).
- On what noun does the genitive pastorum (569) depend?
- How does natam (570) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- What phrases does the –que after inter (570) link?
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does Virgil interrelate the themes of ‘Sure Start’ and ‘Feral’ stylistically?
Discussion Point
- What is the point of Metabus and Camilla undergoing a space/time journey into the pre-agricultural human past?
tectum, -i, n. | roof, ceiling; house, dwelling |
feritas, -atis, f. | wildness; fierceness, ferocity |
pastor, -oris, m. | shepherd |
exigo, -igere, -egi, -actum | to drive/compel to go out |
aevum, -i, n. | time; an age; lifetime, life |
dumus, -i, m. | a thorn or briar bush |
horreo, -ere, -ui | to bristle, be stiff/rigid |
lustrum, -i, n. (lustrum, -i, n. | muddy place; ceremony of purification) |
armentalis, -is, -e | rustic, bucolic |
mamma, -ae, f. | breast, udder; mother, mummy |
lac, lactis, n. | milk |
ferinus, -a, -um (adj.) | wild, brutish, bestial |
tener, -ra, -rum (adj.) | soft, tender, delicate; immature |
immulgeo, -ere | to milk into, to expel (milk into) |
uber, -eris, n. | breast, teat, udder |
labrum, -i, n. | lip |
11.573–86: How to Raise a Wild Warrior Princess
utque pedum primis infans vestigia plantis | |
institerat, iaculo palmas armavit acuto | |
spiculaque ex umero parvae suspendit et arcum. | 575 |
pro crinali auro, pro longae tegmine pallae | |
tigridis exuviae per dorsum a vertice pendent. | |
tela manu iam tum tenera puerilia torsit | |
et fundam tereti circum caput egit habena | |
Strymoniamque gruem aut album deiecit olorem. | 580 |
multae illam frustra Tyrrhena per oppida matres | |
optavere nurum; sola contenta Diana | |
aeternum telorum et virginitatis amorem | |
intemerata colit. vellem haud correpta fuisset | |
militia tali conata lacessere Teucros: | 585 |
cara mihi comitumque foret nunc una mearum. |
Study Questions
- Parse pedum (573).
- What noun does primis modify (573)?
- What do the –que after spicula and the et before arcum link (575)?
- What is the subject of pendent (577)?
- What noun does tenera (578) modify?
- Parse optavere (582).
- In the phrase sola contenta Diana (582), what is in the nominative, what in the ablative?
- What noun does aeternum (583) modify?
- Identify and explain the mood and tense of vellem (584).
- Identify and explain the mood and tense of foret (586).
Stylistic Appreciation
- Are the alliterations in this passage (e.g. 573: pedum primis … plantis; 578: tela manu iam tum tenera puerilia torsit) expressive of anything?
- How does Diana manage to be (subliminally) present throughout her narrative?
Discussion Points
- Lines 581–82 recall a passage in Catullus 62 (see commentary): what is the effect of this allusion?
- How do we get from Camilla, Diana’s devotee, to Camilla, leader of the Volscians?
- Has Virgil completely lost the plot by this point? No, seriously…
- What do you think Amazons and Amazon-like figures such as Camilla signified in Roman culture, in either their textual or visual (see next page) manifestations? Were they meant to turn you on or off (or both at once in revolting attraction)?
pes, pedis, m. | foot |
vestigium, -(i)i, n. | footprint, track; imprint; trace |
planta, -ae, f. | the sole of the foot |
instituo, -uere, -ui, -utum | to set/put up, erect, organize |
palma, -ae, f. | palm, hand; palm-tree |
acutus, -a, -um (adj.) | sharpened, pointed, sharp |
spiculum, -i, n. | sharp point of a weapon; javelin |
umerus, -i, m. | shoulder |
suspendo, -dere, -di, -sum | to hang, suspend |
arcus, -us, m. | bow; rainbow; arch, vault |
crinalis, -is, -e (adj.) | worn in the hair |
aurum, -i, n. | gold |
tegmen, -inis, n. | covering, cover |
palla, -ae, f. | mantle, garment |
tigris, -is/-idis, f. | tiger, tiger-skin |
exuviae, -arum, f. | armour; spoils; skin |
dorsum, -i, n. | back |
vertex, -icis, m. | whirlpool, eddy |
puerilis, -is, -e (adj.) | childish; immature |
torqueo, -quere, -si, -tum | to twist tightly; torment; |
funda, -ae, f. | a leather strap for hurling stones; sling |
teres, -etis (adj.) | smooth and rounded |
habena, -ae, f. | rein; strap, thong, cord |
Strymonius, -a, -um (adj.) | dwelling by the river Strymon |
grus, gruis, f. | crane |
deicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum | to throw down, cause to fall; |
olor, -oris, m. | swan |
nurus, -us, f. | daughter-in-law; young maiden |
intemeratus, -a, -um (adj.) | undefiled, unstained, pure |
colo, -ere, -ui, cultum | to live in, inhabit; till, cultivate |
corripio, -ipere, -ipui, -eptum | to seize hold up, snatch up, grasp |
militia, -ae, f. | military service; campaign |
conor, -ari, -atus | to make an effort; attempt, endeavour |
lacesso, -ere, -ivi/-ii, -itum | to challenge, provoke, arouse, assail |
11.587–96: Lady Vengeance, or: Diana’s Black Ops Commando
verum age, quandoquidem fatis urgetur acerbis, | |
labere, nympha, polo finisque invise Latinos, | |
tristis ubi infausto committitur omine pugna. | |
haec cape et ultricem pharetra deprome sagittam: | 590 |
hac, quicumque sacrum violarit vulnere corpus, | |
Tros Italusque, mihi pariter det sanguine poenas. | |
post ego nube cava miserandae corpus et arma | |
inspoliata feram tumulo patriaeque reponam.’ | |
dixit, at illa levis caeli delapsa per auras | 595 |
insonuit nigro circumdata turbine corpus. |
Study Questions
- Parse labere (588).
- What kind of ablative is polo (588)?
- Parse finis (588).
- Identify and explain the case of pharetra (590).
- What noun does sacrum (591) modify?
- Parse miserandae (593) and explain how it fits into the syntax of its sentence.
- What case is tumulo (594)?
- Parse levis (595).
Stylistic Appreciation
- Analyze the design of verse 589.
- How does verse design enact theme in 595–96?
- Discuss Diana’s use of different moods in this passage, as well as active and passive verbs.
Discussion Points
- What do you think of Diana’s ethics of revenge?
- Diana knows that Camilla will die, but doesn’t know the identity of her killer: does that mean that she only has partial knowledge of a predetermined future or is this an area of contingency, of history (still) in the making?
ago, agere, egi, actum - imperative (age) | to drive, bring, carry; force, push, urge Come! |
quandoquidem | inasmuch as, seeing that, since |
urgeo, -ere, ursi | to press, squeeze; |
acerbus, -a, -um | acid, bitter, harsh, strident; |
labor, -bi, -psus | to glide, slip, slide; run, flow; collapse |
polus, -i, m. | pole; sky, heaven |
finis, -is, m. | boundary; limit; end |
inviso, -ere, -i, -um | to go to see, visit |
infaustus, -a, -um (adj.) | luckless, ill-starred; inauspicious |
omen, -inis, n. | omen |
ultrix, -icis, f. (adj.) | avenging, that exacts retribution |
pharetra, -ae, f. | quiver |
depromo, -ere, -psi, -ptum | to bring out, fetch, produce |
violo, -are, -avi, -atum | to violate, profane; pierce, wound |
pariter (adv.) | together; in equal quantity/measure |
post (adv.) | subsequently, afterwards |
nubes, -is, f. | cloud |
cavus, -a, -um (adv.) | hollow, concave |
inspoliatus, -a, -um (adj.) | not plundered or robbed |
tumulus, -i, m. | a rounded hill; burial mound, grave |
repono, -onere, -osui, -ositum/ostum | to put back; repay; store away |
levis, -is, -e (adj.) | light |
delabor, -bi, -psus | to drop, descend, flow down, fall |
insono, -are, -ui | to make a loud noise, sound, resound |
niger, -gra, -grum | dark in colour, black |
turbo, -inis, m. | whorl, eddy; whirlwind |
11.648–63: Camilla’s Martial Arts
At medias inter caedes exsultat Amazon | |
unum exserta latus pugnae, pharetrata Camilla, | |
et nunc lenta manu spargens hastilia denset, | 650 |
nunc validam dextra rapit indefessa bipennem; | |
aureus ex umero sonat arcus et arma Dianae. | |
illa etiam, si quando in tergum pulsa recessit, | |
spicula converso fugientia derigit arcu. | |
at circum lectae comites, Larinaque virgo | 655 |
Tullaque et aeratam quatiens Tarpeia securim, | |
Italides, quas ipsa decus sibi dia Camilla | |
delegit pacisque bonas bellique ministras: | |
quales Threiciae cum flumina Thermodontis | |
pulsant et pictis bellantur Amazones armis, | 660 |
seu circum Hippolyten seu cum se Martia curru | |
Penthesilea refert, magnoque ululante tumultu | |
feminea exsultant lunatis agmina peltis. |
Study Questions
- What noun (manu or hastilia) does the attribute lenta (650) agree with? (Tip: scan the line to find out!)
- What noun does indefessa (651) agree with?
- Parse quando (653).
- What construction is converso … arcu (654)?
- What is the main verb of the sentence beginning with at circum (655)?
- How does the phrase pacisque bonas bellique ministras (658) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Scan line 659 and explain the metrical peculiarity.
- What constructions does seu … seu… (661) coordinate?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What are the thematic implications of the verb exsultare (648, 663)?
- Compare the design of 650 and 651.
- What is the effect of Virgil’s use of Greek names and loanwords in this passage? (See 648: Amazon, 649: pharetrata; 659: Thermodontis; 660: Amazones; 661: Hippolyten; 662: Penthesilea; 663: peltis.) How does their presence chime with his insistence that Camilla’s entourage consists of native Italian women? (657: Italides – which follows Greek morphology!)
- Analyze the design of 663.
Discussion Points
- Identify and discuss the points of contact between narrative (648–58) and simile (659–63) in this passage.
- Why does Virgil call Camilla an ‘Amazon’ outright (648) and then also compare her to Amazons in a simile (659–63)?
exsulto, -are, -avi | to spring up, leap about, run riot |
exsero, -ere, -ui, -tum | to thrust out, stretch forth |
latus, -eris, n. | side, flank, breast |
pharetratus, -a, -um (adj.) | equipped with a quiver |
lentus, -a, -um (adj.) | flexible, pliant, supple; slow |
spargo, -gere, -si, -sum | to scatter, sprinkle, strew; spread about |
hastile, -is, n. | shaft or handle of a spear; spear |
denseo, -ere | to thicken, condense; crowd together |
validus, -a, -um (adj.) | physically powerful, robust, strong |
rapio, -ere, -ui, -tum | to seize, carry off, snatch, pick up |
indefessus, -a, -um (adj.) | unwearied, tireless |
bipennis, -is, f. | a two-bladed axe |
aliquando (adv.) | at some time or other |
tergum, -i, n. - in tergum | back; rear towards one’s rear, backwards |
pello, -ere, pepuli, pulsum | to exert force against, beat, push, strike |
recedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum | to draw back, retire, withdraw |
spiculum, -i, n. | sharp point; arrow; javelin |
converto, -tere, -ti, -sum | to rotate, invert; reverse; alter |
derigo, -igere, -exi, -ectum | to align, form; straighten out; guide, steer |
arcus, -us, m. | bow |
lectus, -a, -um (adj.) | carefully chosen, select, picked; choice |
aeratus, -a, -um (adj.) | decorated with bronze or brass; bronze-clad |
quatio, -tere, -ssum | to shake; knock or strike repeatedly |
securis, -is, f. | an axe, battle-axe |
Italis, -idis, f. | an Italian woman |
dius, -a, -um (adj.) | having a supernatural radiance, divine |
deligo, -igere, -egi, -ectum | to pick out, choose |
ministra, -ae, f. | female servant/attendant; handmaid |
Threicius, -a, -um (adj.) | Thracian |
Thermodon, -ontis, m. | the Thermodon river |
pulso, -are, -avi, -atum | to strike, beat; assail, assault; make resound |
pictus, -a, -um | painted; coloured |
bello, -are, -avi, -atum | to wage war; take part in battle; fight |
Amazon, -onis, f. | an Amazon |
Martius, -a, -um (adj.) | of or belonging to Mars |
currus, -us, m. | vehicle, chariot |
ululo, -are, -avi, -atum | to howl; yell |
tumultus, -us, m. | commotion, fuss, confused uproar |
lunatus, -a, -um (adj.) | crescent-shaped |
pelta, -ae, f. | a light shield |
11.664–69: Getting the Massacre Underway
Quem telo primum, quem postremum, aspera virgo, | |
deicis? aut quot humi morientia corpora fundis? | 665 |
Eunaeum Clytio primum patre, cuius apertum | |
adversi longa transverberat abiete pectus. | |
sanguinis ille vomens rivos cadit atque cruentam | |
mandit humum moriensque suo se in vulnere versat. |
Study Questions
- quem … quem…? quot…? (664–65). What is the difference between an interrogative pronoun and an interrogative adjective? Which is which?
- Identify the case of humi (665).
- Parse fundis (665).
- What kind of ablative is Clytio … patre (666)?
- What noun does apertum (666) modify?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the effect of the apostrophe aspera virgo (664)?
- Analyze the design of the cuius clause (666–67).
- What do the alliterations suo se and vulnere versat (669) underscore?
Discussion Point
- Is this what we’ve been waiting for? Can style redeem theme here?
asper, -a, -rum (adj.) | rough, harsh, severe |
deicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum | to throw down, overthrow, strike dead |
humus, -i, f. | the earth, the ground |
morior, -i, -tuus | to die |
fundo, -ere, fudi, fusum | to pour (out); spread out, scatter |
apertus, -a, -um (adj.) | unfastened, open; exposed; visible |
adversus, -a, -um (adj.) | opposite, directly facing; hostile |
transverbero, -are, -avi, -atum | to pierce through |
abies, -etis, f. | silver fir; spear, javelin |
pectus, -oris, n. | chest, breast |
vomo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to vomit; discharge, spew out |
rivus, -i, m. | stream |
cado, -ere, cecidi, casum | to fall |
cruentus, -a, -um (adj.) | stained or mixed with blood; bloody |
mando, -dere, -di, -sum | to chew, bite |
verso, -are, -avi, -atum | to spin, wheel, turn |
11.670–83: The Death Toll Rises
tum Lirim Pagasumque super, quorum alter habenas | 670 |
suffuso revolutus equo dum colligit, alter | |
dum subit ac dextram labenti tendit inermem, | |
praecipites pariterque ruunt. his addit Amastrum | |
Hippotaden, sequiturque incumbens eminus hasta | |
Tereaque Harpalycumque et Demophoonta Chromimque; | 675 |
quotque emissa manu contorsit spicula virgo, | |
tot Phrygii cecidere viri. procul Ornytus armis | |
ignotis et equo venator Iapyge fertur, | |
cui pellis latos umeros erepta iuvenco | |
pugnatori operit, caput ingens oris hiatus | 680 |
et malae texere lupi cum dentibus albis, | |
agrestisque manus armat sparus; ipse catervis | |
vertitur in mediis et toto vertice supra est. |
Study Questions
- What is the main verb of the sentence starting tum Lirim (670)?
- How does the syntax of the relative clause introduced by quorum (670) work?
- What noun does quot (676) modify?
- What noun does the participle emissa (676) agree with?
- What noun does tot (677) modify?
- Parse cecidere (677).
- What noun does the attribute Iapyge (678) modify?
- What is the subject of the relative clause introduced by cui (679)?
- What noun does the participle erepta agree with?
- How does pugnatori (680) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- What does the et at the beginning of 681 link? (Put differently, what are the subjects of texere?)
- Parse texere (681).
- Parse manus (682).
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does verse design enact theme in 675?
- How does Virgil foreground the centre of this passage (676–77) stylistically?
Discussion Points
- What are we to make of the fact that a virgo (676) lays low viri (677), even if they happen to come ‘from Phrygia’? Is this really an ‘entirely neutral adjective’ (Horsfall 2003: 376)?
- Can the specifics matter when it comes to a run of ‘cannon-fodder’?
habena, -ae, f. | rein; strap, thong, cord |
suffundo, -undere, -udi, -usum - (of a fallen horse) | to pour on/in; cover/fill with a liquid to sprawl its limbs beneath |
revolvo, -vere, -ui, -utum | to roll back/aside; relapse, revert |
colligo, -igere, -egi, -ectum | to gather together, collect |
subeo, -ire, -ii, -itum | to go/move underneath; support |
labor, -bi, -psus | to glide, slip, slide; tumble |
tendo, -dere, tetendi, -tum/-sum | to extend, stretch out, offer |
inermis, -is, -e (adj.) [in + arma + -is] | unarmed |
praeceps, -ipitis (adj.) | headlong, rushing forward |
ruo, -ere, -i | to rush; tumble down; collapse |
incumbo, -umbere, -ubui | to bend forwards/lean over; |
eminus (adv.) | at long range; from a distance |
quot (indeclinable adjective) | (interrogative) how many? |
emitto, -ittere, -isi, -issum | to send out, dispatch; let fly, launch |
contorqueo, -quere, -si, -tum | to twist, discharge, send whirling |
procul (adv.) | some way off, away; far, at a distance |
ignotus, -a, -um (adj.) | unknown, unfamiliar, strange |
venator, -oris, m. | hunter |
Iapyx, -ygis/-ygos (adj.) | Iapygian |
pellis, -is, f. | skin, hide |
latus, -a, -um (adj.) | broad, wide |
umerus, -i, m. | shoulder |
eripio, -ipere, -ipui, -eptum | to seize/pull/tear/snatch from |
iuvencus, -i, m. | a young bull or ox |
pugnator, -oris, m. | fighter, combatant |
operio, -ire, -ui, -tum | to shut, close; cover, clothe, envelop |
hiatus, -us, m. | gaping, yawning; wide-opened jaws |
mala, -ae f. | (usually in plural) cheeks, jaws |
tego, -gere, -xi, -ctum | to cover; roof over, clothe; |
lupus, -i, m. | wolf |
dens, -ntis, m. | tooth |
albus, -a, -um (adj.) | white |
agrestis, -is, -e (adj.) | rustic, rural, wild; of the countryside |
sparus, -i, m. | a hunting-spear, javelin |
caterva, -ae, f. | company, band, squadron; crowd |
vertex, -icis, m. | topmost part of the head |
11.684–89: The Hunter Hunted
hunc illa exceptum (neque enim labor agmine verso) | |
traicit et super haec inimico pectore fatur: | 685 |
‘silvis te, Tyrrhene, feras agitare putasti? | |
advenit qui vestra dies muliebribus armis | |
verba redargueret. nomen tamen haud leve patrum | |
manibus hoc referes, telo cecidisse Camillae.’ |
Study Questions
- What is the verb of the sentence in parentheses (684)?
- What kind of construction is agmine verso (684)?
- Identify and explain the case of silvis (686).
- How does te (686) fit into the syntax of its sentence?
- What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun qui (687)?
- What noun does vestra (687) modify?
- What stylistic device does Virgil use in the phrase haud leve (688)?
- Parse patrum (688).
- Parse manibus (689).
- Parse referes (689).
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does verse design enact theme in 684–85?
- Discuss the tone of redargueret: why does Camilla use a technical legal term here?
- What do vestra … verba refer to? Have we heard any?
Discussion Points
- Unpack the phrase muliebribus armis (687).
- Do you think Ornytus can relate to Camilla’s tamen (688)?
- What precisely is it that Ornytus is supposed to bring to the shades below?
- Are you getting anxious for Camilla right now?
excipio, -ipere, -epi, -eptum | to take out, extract; accept, receive; |
traicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum | to throw or propel; transfix, pierce |
fera, -ae, f. | wild animal; beast |
agito, -are, -avi, -atum | to set in motion, move, stir; rouse |
redarguo, -ere, -i | to prove wrong; refute; show up |
manes, -ium, m. pl. | the spirits of the dead |
11.725–40: Shaming, Naming, Blaming: Tarchon Rallies the Troops
At non haec nullis hominum sator atque deorum | 725 |
observans oculis summo sedet altus Olympo. | |
Tyrrhenum genitor Tarchonem in proelia saeva | |
suscitat et stimulis haud mollibus inicit iras. | |
ergo inter caedes cedentiaque agmina Tarchon | |
fertur equo variisque instigat vocibus alas | 730 |
nomine quemque vocans, reficitque in proelia pulsos. | |
‘quis metus, o numquam dolituri, o semper inertes | |
Tyrrheni, quae tanta animis ignavia venit? | |
femina palantis agit atque haec agmina vertit! | |
quo ferrum quidve haec gerimus tela inrita dextris? | 735 |
at non in Venerem segnes nocturnaque bella, | |
aut ubi curva choros indixit tibia Bacchi. | |
exspectate dapes et plenae pocula mensae | |
(hic amor, hoc studium) dum sacra secundus haruspex | |
nuntiet ac lucos vocet hostia pinguis in altos!’ | 740 |
Study Questions
- What noun does nullis (725) modify?
- Who do sator (725) and genitor (727) refer to?
- What does atque (725) link?
- What noun does altus (726) modify?
- What does the –que after cedentia (729) link?
- What needs to be supplied to complete the question starting with quis metus (732)?
- Parse dolituri (732).
- Parse palantis (734). How does it fit into its sentence?
- What is the verb of the sentence beginning at non (736)?
- Parse exspectate (738).
- Identify and explain the mood of nuntiet and vocet (740).
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the rhetorical force of the adversative particle at (725)?
- Why might the word order in 275–76 be all jumbled up?
- Is there a thematic point to the fact that Virgil describes Jupiter’s actions using two litotes (non … nullis … oculis; stimulis haud mollibus)?
- How does verse design enhance the plot in 729–31?
- What are the stylistic devices Tarchon uses to give his battlefield speech rhetorical oomph?
Discussion Points
- Why does Virgil go nuclear and bring Jupiter into play here?
- What are the arguments and the insults Tarchon employs to motivate his men?
- The picture on the following page illustrates a scene from the part of the poem the OCR Latin set text just skipped over (11.690–724). How come Camilla has dismounted – and is nevertheless able to catch up with and slay a horseman?
sator, -oris, m. [sero + -tor] | sower, planter; founder, progenitor; |
suscito, -are, -avi, -atum | to cause to rise, rouse |
stimulus, -i, m. | a goad, spur |
haud (particle) | not |
inicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum | to throw in/on, lay on, instil, inject |
fero, -rre, tuli, latum (pass. of persons): | to proceed, be borne, go |
varius, -a, -um (adj.) | varied, multifarious, motley, different |
instigo, -are, -avi, -atum | to incite, urge, impel, drive; provoke |
ala, -ae, f. | wing; unit/squadron of cavalry |
reficio, -icere, -eci, -ectum | to restore, refresh, revive |
metus, -us, m. | fear |
doleo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to suffer physical pain, grieve |
iners, -rtis (adj.) | inactive, lazy, slothful |
ignavia, -ae, f. | idleness, sloth; faint-heartedness |
palor, -ari, -atus | to wander, stray, be dispersed, scatter |
gero, -rere, -ssi, -stum | to bear, carry |
inritus, -a, -um (adj.) | not ratified, null and void, empty |
segnis, -is, -e (adj.) | slothful, inactive, sluggish |
curvus, -a, -um (adj.) | bent, crooked, dinted |
chorus, -i, m. | a dancing group, band of revellers |
indico, -cere, -xi, -ctum | to give formal notice of, proclaim |
tibia, -ae, f. | reed-pipe, flute |
exspecto, -are, -avi, -atum | to wait for, await; expect, hope for |
daps, -pis, f. | a sacrificial meal; feast, meal, banquet |
poculum, -i, n. | drinking-vessel, cup, bowl |
mensa, -ae, f. | table |
studium, -(i)i, n. | earnest application, ardour, desire |
secundus, -a, -um (adj.) | favourable, supportive, encouraging; |
haruspex, -icis, m. | diviner |
nuntio, -are, -avi, -atum | to announce, report; convey, deliver |
lucus, -i, m. | a sacred grove |
voco, -are, -avi, -atum | to call upon, invoke; summon |
hostia, -ae, f. | a sacrificial animal; victim |
pinguis, -is, -e (adj.) | fat, sleek, plump; luxuriant, rich |
11.741–50: Venulus Gets Carried Away
haec effatus equum in medios moriturus et ipse | |
concitat, et Venulo adversum se turbidus infert | |
dereptumque ab equo dextra complectitur hostem | |
et gremium ante suum multa vi concitus aufert. | |
tollitur in caelum clamor cunctique Latini | 745 |
convertere oculos. volat igneus aequore Tarchon | |
arma virumque ferens; tum summa ipsius ab hasta | |
defringit ferrum et partis rimatur apertas, | |
qua vulnus letale ferat; contra ille repugnans | |
sustinet a iugulo dextram et vim viribus exit. | 750 |
Study Questions
- Parse effatus and moriturus (741).
- What is the sense of et in line 741 (moriturus et ipse)?
- How does adversum (742) fit into its sentence?
- What noun does the participle dereptum (743) modify?
- Identify and explain the case of dextra (743).
- What is the accusative object of aufert (744)?
- Parse convertere (746).
- Parse partis (748).
- Why is ferat (749) in the subjunctive?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Identify and discuss the different narrative perspectives built into this passage.
- How does Virgil use style in this passage to generate excitement?
Discussion Points
- Is Virgil horsing around here? (Remember the Etruscan tyrant Mezentius’ worst atrocity of binding together the living to the dead, complexu in misero (8.485-8)…?)
- Are we meant to hear the opening of the poem (1.1: arma virumque cano…) when we read arma virumque ferens (747)? If so, why?
(effor), -ari, -atus | to utter, say, enunciate |
concito, -are, -avi, -atum | to set in rapid motion, hurl; spur, urge on |
adversus, -a, -um (adj.) | turned towards, facing; opposed to |
turbidus, -a, um (adj.) | violently agitated, turbulent, wild, stormy |
infero, -re, intuli, illatum - se inferre | to carry/convey into; bring forward to move forward to the attack, charge |
deripio, -ipere, -ipui, -eptum | to tear or pull off; snatch away, grab, seize |
complector, -cti, -xus | to embrace, hug, clasp; grasp |
gremium, -ii, n. | lap, bosom |
concieo/concio, -iere/-ire, -ivi, -itum | to stir up, provoke, arouse, incite |
aufero, -rre, abstuli, ablatum | to carry/fetch away, remove, abduct |
converto, -tere, -ti, -sum | to rotate, turn, invert, reverse |
volo, -are, -avi, -atum | to fly; to move rapidly over |
igneus, -a, -um (adj.) | consisting of fire, fiery, ardent |
aequor, -oris, n. | smooth or level surface, expanse; the sea |
defringo, -ingere, -egi, -actum | to remove by breaking, break off |
ferrum, -i, n. | iron, steel; blade, point, head (of a weapon) |
rimor, -ari, -atus | to examine the fissures or crevices of, |
letalis, -is, -e (adj.) | deadly, fatal, lethal |
fero, -rre, tuli, latum | (here): to bring on a person, inflict |
repugno, -are, -avi, -atum | to offer resistance, fight back |
sustineo, -ere, -ui - with ab + ablative: | to keep, maintain, preserve, uphold to hold back (from) |
iugulum, -i, n. | throat |
exeo, -ire, -ivi/ii, -itum - transitive, with accusative: | to come/go out; to escape, elude |
11.751–61: Exemplary Combat: Eagle vs. Snake
utque volans alte raptum cum fulva draconem | |
fert aquila implicuitque pedes atque unguibus haesit, | |
saucius at serpens sinuosa volumina versat | |
arrectisque horret squamis et sibilat ore | |
arduus insurgens, illa haud minus urget obunco | 755 |
luctantem rostro, simul aethera verberat alis: | |
haud aliter praedam Tiburtum ex agmine Tarchon | |
portat ovans. ducis exemplum eventumque secuti | |
Maeonidae incurrunt. tum fatis debitus Arruns | |
velocem iaculo et multa prior arte Camillam | 760 |
circuit, et quae sit fortuna facillima temptat. |
Study Questions
- What is the meaning of cum (751) here?
- What noun does fulva (751) modify?
- Who is the subject of implicuit (752)?
- What does the demonstrative pronoun illa (755) refer back to?
- Parse Tiburtum (757).
- What noun does the participle secuti (758) agree with?
- Who are the Maeonidae (759)?
- Identify and explain the cause of fatis (759).
- Why is sit (761) in the subjunctive?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Go on, join in with the fun of o.t.t. alliteration in this passage!
- How does verse design enact theme in 759–61?
Discussion Points
- Explore the points of contact between narrative and simile.
- Does human eagle kill snake and human snake kill eagle?
alte (adv.) | at a great height, high |
rapio, -ere, -ui, -tum | to seize and carry off, snatch away |
fulvus, -a, -um (adj.) | brown, tawny |
draco, -onis, m. | snake |
aquila, -ae, f. | eagle |
implico, -are, -avi/-ui, -atum/-itum | to fold, twine, entwine, enclose |
unguis, -is, m. | fingernail, claw, talon |
haereo, -rere, -si, -sum | to adhere, stick, cling, attach oneself |
saucius, -a, -um (adj.) | wounded; pierced, torn; stricken |
serpens, -ntis, m./f. | snake, serpent |
sinuosus, -a, -um (adj.) | sinuous, winding |
volumen, -inis, n. | coil, twist, convolution; |
verso, -are, -avi, -atum | to keep turning, twist |
arrigo, -igere, -exi, -ectum | to make to stand upright, stand on end |
horreo, -ere, -ui | to be stiffly erect, stand up, bristle |
squama, -ae, f. | scale |
sibilo, -are, -avi, -atum | to make a hissing sound; to hiss |
arduus, -a, -um (adj.) | high, steep; difficult |
insurgo, -gere, -rexi | to get up, stand up, rise (up) |
haud (particle) | not, no |
minus (comparative adverb) - haud minus | to a smaller extent, less no less, as much, equally |
urgeo, -ere, ursi | to press, squeeze, push, thrust |
obuncus, -a, -um (adj.) | hook-shaped, hooked |
luctor, -ari, -atus | to wrestle, grapple, struggle, fight |
rostrum, -i, n. | beak |
simul (adv.) | together; at the same time; as well |
aether, -eris m. | heaven, the ether; the air, sky |
ala, -ae, f. | wing |
Tiburtus, -i, m. | a founder/inhabitant of Tibur |
porto, -are, -avi, -atum | to transport, convey, carry |
ovo, -are, -avi, -atum | to celebrate (a minor triumph) |
eventus, -us, m. | outcome, fulfilment, success; |
sequor, -qui, -cutus | to follow; escort, attend; support, back |
Maeonides, -ae, m. | the Lydian (= Homer); |
incurro, -rere, -ri, -sum | to rush/charge (at), run (in), strike |
debeo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to owe, be under an obligation |
velox, -ocis (adj.) | rapid in movement, swift, speedy |
prior, -or, -us (comparative adj.) | in front, ahead; |
circu(m)eo, -(m)ire, -(m)ii, -(m)itum | to go round, circle, prowl round |
tempto, -are, -avi, -atum | to test, seek to discover, examine |
11.762–67: Stalking Camilla
qua se cumque furens medio tulit agmine virgo, | |
hac Arruns subit et tacitus vestigia lustrat; | |
qua victrix redit illa pedemque ex hoste reportat, | |
hac iuvenis furtim celeris detorquet habenas. | 765 |
hos aditus iamque hos aditus omnemque pererrat | |
undique circuitum et certam quatit improbus hastam. |
Study Questions
- What is the subject of tulit (762)?
- What does the demonstrative pronoun illa (764) refer back to?
- Parse celeris (765).
- Parse aditus (766).
- What noun does omnem (766) modify?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Where in the verse did Virgil place medio (762)?
- How does the formal design of the passage enact Arruns’ stalking of Camilla?
Discussion Point
- Since the entire story of Camilla is Virgil’s invention, he could have had her killed by anybody (indeed, the Greek epic precedent suggests that this is a job for Aeneas – Penthesilea is slain by Achilles after all). Why, then, is he casting such a detestable figure as Arruns for the part?
furens, -ere | to be mad, rage, rave |
fero, -rre, tuli, latum - se ferre | to carry, convey, transport to make one’s way, go, proceed, advance |
subeo, -ire, -ii, -itum | to go, move, pass underneath |
tacitus, -a, -um (adj.) | silent, noiseless, quiet; hidden, concealed |
vestigium, -(i)i, n. | footprint, track; movement |
lustro, -are, -avi, -atum | to purify; move round, circle, surround |
victrix, -icis, f. (adj.) | victorious |
reporto, -are, -avi, -atum | to take or carry back; bring home |
furtim (adv.) | secretly, stealthily; without being noticed |
celer, -ris, -re (adj.) | moving swiftly, fast, speedy; agile, quick |
detorqueo, -quere, -si, -tum | to turn away, deflect, turn aside; twist |
habena, -ae, f. | rein; strap, thong, cord |
pererro, -are, -avi, -atum | to wander through/over, traverse |
undique (adv.) | from all sides/directions; |
circu(m)itus, -us, m. | circular motion, revolution, orbit |
certus, -a, -um (adj.) | fixed, settled, definite; indisputable, certain |
quatio, -tere, -ssum | to shake, agitate; hurry along, urge on |
improbus, -a, -um (adj.) | unprincipled, shameless, ill-disposed |
11.768–77: Spot the Queer Bird
Forte sacer Cybelo Chloreus olimque sacerdos | |
insignis longe Phrygiis fulgebat in armis | |
spumantemque agitabat equum, quem pellis aenis | 770 |
in plumam squamis auro conserta tegebat. | |
ipse peregrina ferrugine clarus et ostro | |
spicula torquebat Lycio Gortynia cornu; | |
aureus ex umeris erat arcus et aurea vati | |
cassida; tum croceam chlamydemque sinusque crepantis | 775 |
carbaseos fulvo in nodum collegerat auro | |
pictus acu tunicas et barbara tegmina crurum. |
Study Questions
- Identify and explain the case of Cybelo (768).
- What does the –que after olim (768) link?
- What noun does aenis (770) modify?
- What noun does the participle conserta (771) agree with?
- What does et (772) link?
- What parts of the world do the geographical markers Lycio (modifying cornu) and Gortynia (modifying spicula) refer to (773)?
- Identify and explain the case of vati (774).
- Parse crepantis (775).
- What noun does fulvo (776) modify?
- How does pictus (777) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
- Identify and explain the case of acu (777).
- What kind of accusative are tunicas and tegmina (777)?
- Parse crurum (777).
Stylistic Appreciation
- What formal devices does Virgil use to highlight Chloreus’ garish outfit?
Discussion Points
- ‘Chloreus has the distinction of being Camilla’s last victim, and the distinction of escaping her, although his escape is not due to his own actions. He is also probably the most beautifully and brilliantly dressed character in the poem. Since Camilla dies because of her desire to possess Chloreus’ arms, he deserves our attention. Why did Vergil invent Chloreus as he did? Finally, what does an understanding of Chloreus contribute to our understanding of the Aeneid?’ (West 1985: 22). Good questions: what do you think?
- Are you up to the one-man fashion show that Chloreus puts on? Can you identify the different items of clothing he sports?
forte (adv.) | by chance, accidentally, as luck would have it |
sacer, -cra, -crum (adj.) | consecrated to a deity, sacred, hallowed |
Cybelus, -i, m. | Cybelus (a mountain in Phrygia) |
olim (adv.) | formerly, once (upon a time) |
insignis, -is, -e (adj.) | clearly visible; conspicuous, noteworthy |
spumo, -are, -avi, -atum | to foam, froth |
pellis, -is, f. | skin, hide |
aenus, -a, -um (adj.) | made of bronze, brazen |
pluma, -ae, f. | feather, plumage |
squama, -ae, f. | scale |
consero, -ere, -ui, -tum | to fasten together, join |
tego, -gere, -xi, -ctum | to cover; shield, protect |
peregrinus, -a, -um (adj.) | foreign, alien, exotic |
ferrugo, -inis, f. | iron-rust; reddish-purple |
clarus, -a, -um (adj.) | loud; bright, shining; famous |
ostrum, -i, n. | purple dye; purple colour; |
spiculum, -i, n. | the sharp point of a weapon, barb; |
torqueo, -quere, -si, -tum | to twist tightly |
Lycius, -ia, -ium (adj.) | Lycian |
Gortynius, -a, -um (adj.) | of or coming from Gortyna |
cornu, -us, n. | horn; drinking vessel; bow; wing |
aureus, -a, -um (adj.) | golden; covered/adorned with gold |
cassida, -ae, f. | a helmet |
croceus, -a, -um (adj.) | of saffron or its oil; saffron-coloured, yellow |
chlamys, -ydis (-ydos), f. | a Greek cloak or cape |
sinus, -us, m. | fold produced by the looping of a garment; |
crepo, -are, -ui | to make a sharp loud noise, clatter, crack |
carbaseus, -a, -um (adj.) | made of linen |
fulvus, -a, -um (adj.) | dull yellow, reddish brown, tawny |
nodus, -i, m. | a knot |
colligo, -igere, -egi, -ectum | to gather together, collect; recover |
pingo, -ere, pinxi, pictus | to decorate, embellish; to paint |
acus, -us, f. | needle, pin |
tunica, -ae, f. | a tunic, undergarment |
tegmen, -inis, n. | cover, clothing |
crus, cruris, n. | leg, shin, shank |
11.778–84: The Stalker Stalks the Stalked Stalking
hunc virgo, sive ut templis praefigeret arma | |
Troia, captivo sive ut se ferret in auro | |
venatrix, unum ex omni certamine pugnae | 780 |
caeca sequebatur totumque incauta per agmen | |
femineo praedae et spoliorum ardebat amore, | |
telum ex insidiis cum tandem tempore capto | |
concitat et superos Arruns sic voce precatur: |
Study Questions
- Lines 778–84 consist of one long sentence: break it down into its constituent parts.
- What verb is virgo (778) the subject of?
- Scan Troia (779).
- What noun does captivo modify (779)?
- What does unum (780) agree with?
- What noun does femineo (782) modify?
- What kind of genitive are praedae and spoliorum (782)? What noun do they depend on?
- What kind of clause does cum (783) introduce?
- What construction is tempore capto (783)?
- Who is the subject of concitat (784)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Lines 778–84 form one long sentence: discuss how design (syntax, stylistic features such as hyperbata) enacts theme in this passage.
- Why does Virgil refer to Camilla as venatrix (780) here?
- What attributes of Camilla has Virgil placed at the very centre of this block of verses?
Discussion Points
- What does the ut-clause in 778–80 add to the characterization of Camilla?
- What exactly does Virgil mean when he says that Camilla ‘was burning with female passion for beauty and spoils’ (782)?
templum, -i, n. | sacred precinct, temple |
praefigo, -gere, -xi, -xum | to attach to, impale |
captivus, -a, -um (adj.) | captured in war; taken prisoner |
certamen, -inis, n. | competition, contention; fight, battle |
caecus, -a, -um (adj.) | blind, undiscerning, stupid; dark, black |
incautus, -a, -um (adj.) | incautious, unwary, unsuspecting |
agmen, -inis, n. | stream, current; mass, throng, crowd, host; |
femineus, -a, -um (adj.) | womanly; effeminate |
praeda, -ae, f. | booty, plunder, spoil, loot; prey; prize |
spolium, -ii, n. | (usu. in pl.) spoils of war, booty |
insidiae, -arum, f. pl. | surprise attack; ambush; plot, snare |
concito, -are, -avi, -atum | to set in rapid motion, discharge, hurl |
superus, -a, -um (adj.) - superi (masc. pl.) | situated above, upper the gods who dwell above |
precor, -ari, -atus | to ask or pray for, beg, beseech |
11.785–93: The Hunter’s Prayer
‘summe deum, sancti custos Soractis Apollo, | 785 |
quem primi colimus, cui pineus ardor acervo | |
pascitur, et medium freti pietate per ignem | |
cultores multa premimus vestigia pruna, | |
da, pater, hoc nostris aboleri dedecus armis, | |
omnipotens. non exuvias pulsaeve tropaeum | 790 |
virginis aut spolia ulla peto, mihi cetera laudem | |
facta ferent; haec dira meo dum vulnere pestis | |
pulsa cadat, patrias remeabo inglorius urbes.’ |
Study Questions
- What is the main verb of the sentence starting with summe deum (785)?
- Parse summe (785).
- Parse deum (785).
- How does custos (785) fit into the sentence?
- What kind of ablative is acervo (786)?
- What does the et between pascitur and medium (787) link?
- What does freti (787) agree with?
- What noun does multa (788) modify?
- What tense is ferent (792)?
- What noun does haec (792) agree with?
- What kind of accusative is patrias … urbes (793)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- Identify those features in this passage that are typical of prayers – and ask yourself whether Arruns has fully mastered the genre.
- In what sense is the word order in 787 iconic?
Discussion Points
- If you were Apollo, would you accept the bargain Arruns offers? Is Virgil finding a way to collapse any epic illusions about glory in combat? (Read Tolstoy’s War and Peace before you decide!)
- Do you follow Arruns’ labelling of Camilla as a dira pestis? (What precisely is this?)
sanctus, -a, -um (adj.) | sacrosanct, inviolate; holy, sacred |
Soracte, -is, n. | Mt. Soracte |
colo, -ere, -ui, cultum | to dwell in, cultivate; decorate, adorn; |
pineus, -a, -um (adj.) | consisting of pinewood; of the pine tree |
ardor, -oris, m. | burning, conflagration, fire |
acervus, -i, m. | heap, pile, stack; mass |
pasco, -cere, pavi, -tum | to feed, pasture, rear, keep; nurture, nourish |
fretus, -a, -um (adj.) | (+ abl.) relying on, trusting to, confident of |
cultor, -oris, m. | inhabitant, cultivator; worshipper |
pruna, -ae, f. | glowing charcoal, live coal |
aboleo, -ere, -evi, -itum | to destroy, efface, obliterate; banish, dispel |
dedecus, -oris, n. | discredit, disgrace, shame, dishonour |
exuviae, -arum, f. pl. | spoils, armour stripped from a defeated enemy |
pello, -ere, pepuli, pulsum | to push, strike, beat; drive away, banish; to defeat |
tropaeum, -i, n. | a victory trophy |
spolium, -ii, n. | (usu. in pl.) spoils of war, booty |
laus, -dis, f. | praise, commendation; esteem, renown |
dirus, -a, -um (adj.) | awful, dire, dreadful; inspiring terror |
pestis, -is, f. | destruction, death; plague, pestilence; nuisance; an instrument of ruin; curse |
cado, -ere, cecidi, casum | to fall over, fall, drop; die |
patrius, -a, -um (adj.) | of a father; paternal; ancestral |
remeo, -are, -avi, -atum | to go or come back, return; to recede |
inglorius, -a, -um (adj.) | lacking renown, obscure, undistinguished |
11.794–804: A Prayer Half-Answered Hitting Home
Audiit et voti Phoebus succedere partem | |
mente dedit, partem volucris dispersit in auras: | 795 |
sterneret ut subita turbatam morte Camillam | |
adnuit oranti; reducem ut patria alta videret | |
non dedit, inque Notos vocem vertere procellae. | |
ergo ut missa manu sonitum dedit hasta per auras, | |
convertere animos acris oculosque tulere | 800 |
cuncti ad reginam Volsci. nihil ipsa nec aurae | |
nec sonitus memor aut venientis ab aethere teli, | |
hasta sub exsertam donec perlata papillam | |
haesit virgineumque alte bibit acta cruorem. |
Study Questions
- What nouns does the genitive voti (794) depend on?
- Parse volucris (795). What noun does it modify?
- Parse oranti (797).
- What is the subject of videret (797)?
- Parse vertere (798), convertere, and tulere (800).
- Explain the syntax of missa (799). What noun does it agree with?
- What is the subject of convertere and tulere (800)?
- What is the verb of the main clause starting with nihil ipsa (801)?
- Parse sonitus (802).
- Parse venientis (802).
- Explain the syntax of acta (804).
Stylistic Appreciation
- Analyze the design of 794–98. What does Virgil foreground through syntax and word order?
- In what ways do the grammar and syntax of 799–804 help to enhance the drama of the action?
Discussion Points
- What are the implications of Apollo’s differentiated reaction to Arruns’ wish for the theology of the Aeneid?
- What is our response to the image of Camilla being fatally wounded just below her exposed breast (and the spear drinking her virginal blood) supposed to be? Pity? Relief? Excitement? Revulsion?
- Does it help to pair Pallas with Camilla if we’re to understand either of their roles in painting the bigger picture?
votum, -i, n. | vow, prayer; desire, hope |
succedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum | to move below, move up (to); |
volucer, -cris, -cre (adj.) | flying; swift, rapid; fleeting, transitory |
dispergo, -gere, -si, -sum | to spread about, scatter, disperse |
sterno, -ere, stravi, stratum | to lay out on the ground, spread; |
turbo, -are, -avi, -atum | to run amok, riot; agitate, disturb |
adnuo, -uere, -ui, -utum | to beckon, nod (assent); grant, concede |
oro, -are, -avi, -atum | to pray to, beseech, supplicate |
redux, -ucis (adj.) | coming back, returning; restored |
Notus, -i, m. | the South Wind |
procella, -ae, f. | a violent wind, storm, gale |
sonitus, -us, m. | sound, noise |
memor, -oris (adj.) | mindful; recalling |
exsero, -ere, -ui, -tum | to thrust out, stretch forth; |
perfero, -rre, pertuli, perlatum | to carry or convey to; deliver; drive home |
papilla, -ae, f. | nipple; teat |
haereo, -rere, -si, -sum | to adhere, stick; fasten on to; attach oneself |
virgineus, -a, -um (adj.) | virgin |
cruor, -oris, m. | blood |
11.805–15: Arruns Turns Tail
concurrunt trepidae comites dominamque ruentem | 805 |
suscipiunt. fugit ante omnis exterritus Arruns | |
laetitia mixtoque metu, nec iam amplius hastae | |
credere nec telis occurrere virginis audet. | |
ac velut ille, prius quam tela inimica sequantur, | |
continuo in montis sese avius abdidit altos | 810 |
occiso pastore lupus magnove iuvenco, | |
conscius audacis facti, caudamque remulcens | |
subiecit pavitantem utero silvasque petivit: | |
haud secus ex oculis se turbidus abstulit Arruns | |
contentusque fuga mediis se immiscuit armis. | 815 |
Study Questions
- Parse omnis (806).
- Does ante omnis go with fugit or exterritus (806)?
- What kind of construction is laetitia mixtoque metu (807)?
- Identify and explain the mood of sequantur (809).
- Parse montis (810).
- What kind of construction is occiso pastore … magnove iuvenco (811)?
- What does the –que after caudam (812) link?
- What noun does the present participle pavitantem (813) agree with?
Stylistic Appreciation
- How does the wolf-simile (809–15) work – and what does it add to Virgil’s narrative?
- Is the a-alliteration in 810 expressive of anything?
- What is the point of Virgil using the attribute turbidus of Arruns (814), thus recalling 796: subita turbatam morte Camillam?
Discussion Point
- Why should Arruns be terrified (806: exterritus; 807: metu) and flee (806: fugit)? Don’t epic warriors tend to gloat over their kill?
concurro, -rere, -ri, -sum | to hurry together; collide; coincide |
trepidus, -a, -um (adj.) | fearful, anxious, apprehensive |
suscipio, -ipere, -epi, -eptum | to catch from below; receive |
occurro, -rrere, -rri, -rsum | to run/hurry to meet; meet, confront |
continuo (adv.) | forthwith, without delay, immediately |
avius, -a, -um (adj.) | trackless, unfrequented, untrodden |
abdo, -ere, -idi, -itum | to conceal, cover; go and hide |
iuvencus, -i, m. | a young bull or ox |
conscius, -a, -um (adj.) | privy, conscious |
audax, -acis (adj.) | daring, bold, confident; reckless, rash |
cauda, -ae, f. | tail |
remulceo, -cere, -si, -sum | to stroke or smooth back; lay back |
subicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum | to throw from below; to place underneath |
pavito, -are | to be in a state of fear/trepidation |
uterus, -i, m. | belly, abdomen; womb |
haud (particle) | not |
secus (adverb) - haud secus | in another way, differently, otherwise just so |
turbidus, -a, um (adj.) | violently agitated, confused, troubled |
aufero, -rre, abstuli, ablatum | to carry away, carry off, remove |
immisceo, -scere, -scui, -xtum | to mix, mingle |
11.816–22: Appointment with Death
illa manu moriens telum trahit, ossa sed inter | |
ferreus ad costas alto stat vulnere mucro. | |
labitur exsanguis, labuntur frigida leto | |
lumina, purpureus quondam color ora reliquit. | |
tum sic exspirans Accam ex aequalibus unam | 820 |
adloquitur, fida ante alias quae sola Camillae | |
quicum partiri curas, atque haec ita fatur: |
Study Questions
- What noun does the preposition inter (816) govern?
- What noun does the adjective ferreus (817) modify?
- What noun does the adjective alto (817) modify?
- Explain the syntax of ora (819).
- What do we know about Acca (820)?
- How are we to construe fida … curas (821–22)?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What is the rhetorical effect of the two present participles moriens (816) and exspirans (820)?
- What is the effect of the inversion of the normal word order in the phrase ossa … inter?
- Discuss the design of 817.
- Identify, and discuss the emotional impact of, the stylistic devices that Virgil brings into play in 818–19.
Discussion Point
- Where does Acca come from? And what is her narrative function?
os, ossis, n. | bone |
ferreus, -a, -um (adj.) | iron |
costa, -ae, f. | rib |
altus, a, um (adj.) | high, lofty, elevated, great; deep, profound |
mucro, -onis, m. | sharp end of a sword; tip; point |
labor, -bi, -psus | to glide, slip, slide; run, flow; collapse |
exsanguis, -is, -e | lacking blood, bloodless; pale; feeble |
lumen, -inis, n. | light; eye |
purpureus, -a, -um (adj.) | purple, crimson; radiant, glowing |
exspiro, -are, -avi, -atum | to breathe out, exhale; perish |
aequalis, -is, f./m. | a person of the same age; companion |
fidus, -a, -um (adj.) | faithful, loyal, devoted; trustworthy, reliable |
partior, -iri, -itus | to share, distribute, divide out, apportion |
11.823–31: Passing on the Torch
‘hactenus, Acca soror, potui: nunc vulnus acerbum | |
conficit, et tenebris nigrescunt omnia circum. | |
effuge et haec Turno mandata novissima perfer: | 825 |
succedat pugnae Troianosque arceat urbe. | |
iamque vale.’ simul his dictis linquebat habenas | |
ad terram non sponte fluens. tum frigida toto | |
paulatim exsolvit se corpore, lentaque colla | |
et captum leto posuit caput, arma relinquens, | 830 |
vitaque cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras. |
Study Questions
- What is the accusative object of conficit (824)?
- What is the subject of nigrescunt (824)?
- Parse effuge and perfer (825).
- Identify and explain the mood of succedat and arceat (826).
- What kind of ablative is urbe (826)?
- How does frigida (828) fit into its sentence?
- What noun does toto (828) modify?
- What noun does the participle captum (830) agree with?
Stylistic Appreciation
- What are the stylistic devices in 823–27 that help to convey that Camilla is down to her novissima verba?
- Analyze the syntactical design of 828–81 (tum frigida … sub umbras): what is the basic structure, what element stands out – and why?
- How does metre enhance theme in 831?
Discussion Points
- Assess Camilla’s last words. Are they true to her character?
- Line 831 is identical to the very last line of the Aeneid (12.952), where Virgil reuses the verse to capture the death of Turnus. What is the point of this prefiguration?
- ‘The close association between arma and vir introduced by the opening words of the Aeneid is only momentarily contested by Camilla: her eventual failure to dislodge this gendered pairing not only reinforces the exclusion of women from the military arena, but also underlines the immutable futility of challenging the masculine hold on arma’ (Xinyue 2017: 174). Do you agree?
hactenus (adv.) | to this point, so far |
acerbus, -a, -um (adj.) | acid, bitter; pitiless, cruel, harsh |
conficio, -icere, -eci, -ectum | to do, perform, accomplish |
tenebrae, -arum, f. pl. | darkness |
nigresco, -escere, -ui | to become dark, blacken |
mandatum, -i, n. | order, instruction; charge; directive |
novissimus, -a, -um (adj.) | most recent, latest; last, final, ultimate |
perfero, -rre, pertuli, perlatum | to carry or convey to; deliver; drive home |
succedo, -dere, -ssi, -ssum | to move below, move up (to); |
arceo, -ere, -ui | to keep away, to prevent or keep from |
valeo, -ere, -ui, -itum | to be powerful, have strength |
simul (adv.) | together, jointly; at the same time |
linquo, -ere, liqui | to quit, leave; forsake, abandon; drop, leave |
(spons), spontis, f. - sponte (ablative) | will, volition deliberately, purposefully |
frigidus, -a, -um (adj.) | cold, cool, chilling |
paulatim (adv.) | little by little, by degrees, gradually |
exsolvo, -vere, -ui, -utum | to unfasten, undo, loose; set free, release |
lentus, -a, -um (adj.) | flexible, pliant, supple, yielding; slow |
collum, -i, n. | neck |
gemitus, -us, m. | groaning, moaning |
indignor, -ari, -atus | to regard with indignation, take offence |
11.832–35: ‘The Fight Goes on’ — No End in Sight
tum vero immensus surgens ferit aurea clamor | |
sidera: deiecta crudescit pugna Camilla; | |
incurrunt densi simul omnis copia Teucrum | |
Tyrrhenique duces Evandrique Arcades alae. | 835 |
Study Questions
- What noun does immensus (832) modify?
- What construction is deiecta … Camilla (833)?
- Parse pugna (833).
Stylistic Appreciation
- Discuss the interrelation of verse design and theme in 832–33.
- How does Virgil interrelate the fighting forces in 834–35?
Discussion Points
- Why should Camilla’s death magnify the savagery of the battle?
- ‘I believe that [Virgil] has produced an understated representation of Camilla that is neither chauvinistically triumphant nor pornographically defective’ (Anderson 1999: 204). Do you agree?
immensus, -a, -um | immeasurable, boundless, vast, immense |
ferio, -ire | to strike, smite, beat, knock, cut, thrust, hit |
deicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum | to throw down, cause to fall |
crudesco, -ere, crudui | to become fierce or savage, grow worse, |
incurro, -curri and -cucurri | to run into, run upon, rush at, make an attack |
densus, -a, -um (adj.) | dense, thick, solid |
Tyrrhenus, a, um (adj.) | Tyrrhenian, Etrurian, Tuscan |
ala, -ae, f. | wing; wing of an army (esp. cavalry) |