virgil, aeneid 2
TRANSCRIPT
1
GCSE Latin 2020-21
Verse Set Text1
Virgil, Aeneid 2
ll. 506–558,
705–740, 768–794
1 Text from perseus.org
2
Literature Papers
- one prose set text (1hr) – 25% of the GCSE
- one verse set text (1hr) – 25% of the GCSE
This booklet deals with the verse set sext.
Vergil: the Aeneid and Aeneas Virgil (70-19 BC) wrote the Aeneid in the last decade of his life. It is
an epic poem in twelve books, describing how the survivors of Troy,
led by Aeneas, left their city when it was destroyed by the Greeks and
eventually settled in Italy: the Romans were their descendants. Much
of the poem reworks the earlier Homeric epics, the Iliad and Odyssey;
it was also intended to be a Roman epic to match and rival these
earlier Greek ones. Although the action takes place in the distant
past, Virgil often invites us to think about Roman affairs in his own
day, when Augustus was establishing himself as the first emperor.
Events in the story foreshadow later history: the Aeneid is often read
as glorifying Augustus, for whom Aeneas was perhaps intended as a
role model.
Aeneas
Aeneas was the son of the mortal Anchises and the goddess Venus, and
second cousin of the main Trojan warrior Hector. He plays a subsidiary
role in the Iliad, but Homer does mention that his descendants were
destined to survive. After Homer’s time, but long before Virgil’s, this
developed into the tradition of a journey to Italy. In Vergil’s version, Aeneas, after
receiving a prophecy that he must re-found Troy in another land, escapes during the
sack of Troy with his father
Anchises and his son Iulus/
Ascanius. As the leader of the
other survivors, he travels through
the Mediterranean, attempting to
found a new city. After several
years of wandering, the Trojans
are blown by a storm to north
Africa where Aeneas meets Dido
to whom he narrates his story…
3
Book II
At the start of Book 2, Aeneas tells how the Greeks, still unsuccessful in the tenth year
of the war, devise the stratagem of the Wooden Horse with warriors inside. They
pretend to leave, anchoring out of sight behind the island of Tenedos. The Trojans
rejoice and debate what to do with the Horse. The priest Laocoon, telling them not to
trust the Greeks, throws a spear at the horse. A planted Greek prisoner called Sinon,
however, tells them the Horse is an offering to Athena: Troy will be destroyed if they
attack it, but protected if they take it into the city. As Laocoon and his sons are then
suddenly devoured by two huge sea-serpents, the Trojans believe Sinon and assume
Laocoon is being punished for attacking the Horse. They take it into Troy and enjoy an
evening of celebration. When night falls, the Greek fleet leaves Tenedos, and Sinon in
response to a fire signal opens the Horse. The Greek warriors hidden in it come out, kill
the Trojan sentries, and open the city gates to their companions.
Aeneas is wakened from sleep by a vision of the dead Hector, who tells him that Troy
has fallen, that he can do nothing to save it, and that he must leave immediately with
Troy’s sacred relics and Penates
(the household gods). Aeneas, now
awake, climbs the roof of his
house and sees the Greeks
pillaging the city. Out of his mind
with grief and fury, he forgets
Hector’s words and gathers his
companions to fight back. After
some success, they put on Greek
armour, but are then mistakenly
attacked by other Trojans.
Aeneas’ band of men is then
slaughtered by the Greeks who
realise the trick.
Those left then head to defend
Priam’s palace. Here Pyrrhus
(Achilles’ son) has broken through
the gate, and the Greeks are flooding in:
Strength makes a road: the Greeks, pour through, force a passage, slaughter the front ranks, and fill the wide space with their men. A foaming river is not so furious, when it floods, bursting its banks, overwhelms the barriers against it, and rages in a mass through the fields, sweeping cattle and stables across the whole plain. I saw Pyrrhus myself, on the threshold, mad with slaughter, and the two sons of Atreus: I saw Hecuba, her hundred women, and Priam at the altars, polluting with blood the flames that he himself had sanctified. Those fifty chambers, the promise of so many offspring, the doorposts, rich with spoils of barbarian gold, crash down: the Greeks possess what the fire spares.
In this black-figure vase from 6th c. BC Italy, Pyrrhus uses Priam’s grandson as a club to batter him to death on an altar.
4
AENEAS TELLS OF THE DEATH OF PRIAM
506-517
forsitan et Priami fuerint quae fata requiras.
urbis uti captae casum convulsaque vidit
limina tectorum et medium in penetralibus hostem,
arma diu senior desueta trementibus aevo
circumdat nequiquam umeris, et inutile ferrum 510
cingitur, ac densos fertur moriturus in hostis.
aedibus in mediis nudoque sub aetheris axe
ingens ara fuit iuxtaque veterrima laurus,
incumbens arae atque umbra complexa Penatis.
hic Hecuba et natae nequiquam altaria circum, 515
praecipites atra ceu tempestate columbae,
condensae et divom amplexae simulacra sedebant.
forsitan + subj. – perhaps
Priamus, i – Priam (king of Troy)
fuerint = perf subjunc of sum
fatum, i – fate
requiro, ere, requisivi, requisitum – ask
uti = ut
casus, us – fall
convello, ere, -velli, -vulsum – tear
apart
limen, inis (n) – door, entrance
tectum, i – building
penetrale, is – inner room, sanctuary
senior, senioris – elderly
desuetus – unaccustomed, unused
temens, trementis – trembling
aevum, i – age
circumdo, are, -dedi, -datum – put
around
nequiquam – in vain
umerus, i – shoulder
inutilis, e – useless
ferrum, i – iron, sword
densus, a, um – thick
cingor, i – gird on, put on
feror, ferri – take oneself
aedes, ium (f) – house, palace
nudus, a, um – bare
aether, eris (m) – the upper air, sky,
heaven
axis, is (m) – vault of heaven
ara, ae – altar
iuxta – nearby
vetus, veteris – old
laurus, us (f) – laurel tree
incumbo, ere +dat. – lean over
umbra – shadow
complector, i, complexus sum – embrace
Penates, Penatum (m) – household gods
Hecuba, ae – Hecuba (wife of Priam)
nequiquam – in vain
nata, ae – daughter
altaria, ium (n) – altar
praeceps, -cipitis – driven headlong
ater, atra, atrum – black
ceu – like
columba – dove
condensus, a, um – crowded together
divus, i (gen pl = divom) – god
amplector, i, amplexus sum – I embrace
simulacrum, i – statue, image
5
1. Who is Priam?
2. Who is the ‘you’ in requiras?
3. urbis… hostem: what three things does Priam see and how does the language stress the horror of this (refer to the Latin)?
4. arma… hostis:
a. how does Priam react?
b. how does the content and language stress the
futility of his actions? Make at least two points,
referring to the Latin.
5. aedibus… Penatis: how does Vergil describe the
scene?
6. What are Penates?
7. Who is Hecuba and what is she doing?
8. praecipites… sedebant: how does Vergil convey the terror of Hecuba and her
daughters?
The Di Penates were among the household deities (along with the Lares and Vesta) and invoked in domestic rituals. Here the public versions are depicted on a coin from 106 BC.
6
518-532
ipsum autem sumptis Priamum iuvenalibus armis
ut vidit, “quae mens tam dira, miserrime coniunx,
impulit his cingi telis? aut quo ruis?” inquit; 520
“non tali auxilio nec defensoribus istis
tempus eget, non, si ipse meus nunc adforet Hector.
huc tandem concede; haec ara tuebitur omnis,
aut moriere simul.” sic ore effata recepit
ad sese et sacra longaevum in sede locavit. 525
ecce autem elapsus Pyrrhi de caede Polites,
unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostis
porticibus longis fugit, et vacua atria lustrat
saucius: illum ardens infesto vulnere Pyrrhus
insequitur, iam iamque manu tenet et premit hasta. 530
ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum, 531
concidit, ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit.
sumo, ere, sumpsi, sumptum – take
up
iuvenilis, e – of youth
mens, ntis (f) – mind
coniunx, -iugis (m) – husband
impello, ere, impuli, impulsum –
drive on
cingo, ere – gird, put on
ruo, -ere, rui – rush
defensor, is (m) – defender
iste, a, ud– such
egeo, ere +abl. – need
adforet = adesset–
concedo, -ere – withdraw to
ara, ae – altar
tueor, eri – protect
moriere = morieris
os, oris (n) – mouth, lips
effor, effari, effatus sum – speak
out
recipio, ere – draw back
sese = se
longaevus, a, -um – aged
sedes, is (f) – seat
loco, are – set, place
elabor, elapsus sum – slip, escape
from
Pyrrhus, i – Pyrrhus (Achilles’ son)
caedes, is (f) – slaughter
Polites, ae (m) – Polites (a son of
Priam)
natus, i – son
telum, i – missile, weapon
porticus, -us – colonnade, portico
vacuus, a, um – empty
atrium, i – hall, room
lustro, are – go around/through
saucius, a, -um – wounded
ardens, ntis – burning
infestus, a, um – hostile,
threatening
premo, -ere, pressi – harry, press
hard
hasta, ae – spear
ante + acc. – in front of
oculus, i – eye
evado, -ere, evasi, evasum – escape
os, oris (n) – face concido, -ere, concidi – fall
fundo, ere, fudi, fusum – pour out
7
10. ipsum… inquit:
a. What does Hecuba ask Priam?
b. How do her questions indicate her disbelief at his actions? Make at least two
points and refer to the Latin.
11. non tali… eget: what point does Hecuba make here?
12. non si… Hector: why does mentioning Hector show the
impossibility of resistance?
13. huc … simul: what does Hecuba tell Priam to do?
14. sic… locavit: how does Priam react?
15. Who is:
a. Pyrrhus? b. Polites?
16. ecce… fudit:
a. list the sequence of events.
b. how does Vergil’s language make Pyrrhus’ stalking of Polites through the
palace both vivid and horrifying? Make at least four points, referring to the
Latin.
Revelers Vase (c. 510 BC): Hector arming himself
while his parents watch
8
533-546
hic Priamus, quamquam in media iam morte tenetur,
non tamen abstinuit, nec voci iraeque pepercit:
“at tibi pro scelere,” exclamat, “pro talibus ausis, 535
di, si qua est caelo pietas, quae talia curet, 536
persolvant grates dignas et praemia reddant
debita, qui nati coram me cernere letum
fecisti et patrios foedasti funere vultus.
at non ille, satum quo te mentiris, Achilles 540
talis in hoste fuit Priamo; sed iura fidemque
supplicis erubuit, corpusque exsangue sepulchro
reddidit Hectoreum, meque in mea regna remisit.”
sic fatus senior, telumque imbelle sine ictu
coniecit, rauco quod protinus aere repulsum 545
e summo clipei nequiquam umbone pependit.
abstineo, ere – hold back
parco, -ere, peperci + dat. – spare
at – but, indeed
ausum, i – outrageous deed
di = dei
si quis/qua/quid – if any
pietas, atis (f) – sense of duty,
justice
curet = 3rd s pres subjunc of curo,
are – look after
persolvant = 3rd pl pres subjunc of
persolvo, -ere – pay
grates, um (f) – thanks
dignus, a, um – worthy
natus, i – son
coram – before one’s eyes
cerno, -ere, crevi – see
letum, i – death
patrius, a, um – of a father
foedo, are – befoul, outrage
funus, -eris (n) – death
sero, ere, sevi, satum – I beget,
bear
mentior, -iri – lie, claim falsely
ius, iuris (n) – law, right
fides, -ei – trust
supplex, supplicis (m) – suppliant
erubesco, -ere, erubui – respect
exsanguis, e – bloodless, dead
sepulcrum, i – tomb, burial place
Hectoreus, a, um – of Hector
senior, oris – old
for, fari, fatus sum – speak
telum, i – missile, spear
imbellis, e – unwarlike
ictus, -us – a blow, strength, force
conicio, -ere, conieci – fling, hurl
raucus, a, um – hollow-sounding
protinus – at once
aes, aeris (n) – bronze
clipeus, i – shield
nequiquam – in vain
umbo, umbonis (m) – shield boss
pendeo, ere, pependi – hang
9
17. hic… pepercit:
a. what does Priam do (be as detailed as possible)?
b. why is this surprising?
18. at tibi… debita: what does Priam hope for
here?
19. qui… vultus: what is so horrifying about
Pyrrhus’ actions, according to Priam?
20. at non… remisit: to what event is Priam
referring here?
21. satum… mentiris: what does Priam mean by this?
22. at tibi… remisit: how do Vergil’s language and style vividly convey Priam’s horror
and outrage at Pyrrhus’ actions? Make at least three points, referring to the
Latin.
23. sic fatus… coniecit: what does Priam do next?
24. rauco… pependit: what effect does this have? (be as detailed as possible)
Priam begging Achilles for the return of Hector’s body
10
547-558
cui Pyrrhus: “referes ergo haec et nuntius ibis
Pelidae genitori; illi mea tristia facta
degeneremque Neoptolemum narrare memento. 549
nunc morere.” hoc dicens altaria ad ipsa trementem
traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati,
implicuitque comam laeva, dextraque coruscum
extulit ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem.
haec finis Priami fatorum; hic exitus illum
sorte tulit, Troiam incensam et prolapsa videntem 555
Pergama, tot quondam populis terrisque superbum
regnatorem Asiae. iacet ingens litore truncus,
avulsumque umeris caput, et sine nomine corpus.
genitor, is (m) – father
Pelides, Pelidae – son of Peleus
factum, i – deed, action
degener, eris – degenerate, unworthy of one’s birth
memento – remember!
altaria, ium – altar
tremo, ere – tremble
lapso, are – slip, slither
sanguis, inis (m) – blood
implico, are, ui – entwine
coma, ae – hair
laeva, ae – left hand
dextra, ae – right hand
coruscus, a, um – glittering
effero, efferre, extuli – draw out
latus, eris (n) – side, flank
capulus, i – hilt
tenus + abl. – as far as
abdo, -ere, abdidi – conceal, bury
ensis, is (m) – sword
finis, finis (m) – end
fata, orum – fate, destiny
exitus, -us – death
sors, sortis (f) – lot
fero, ferre – take
prolabor, i, prolapsus sum – sink down
Pergama, -orum – Pergamum (Troy’s citadel)
quondam – once
superbus, a, um – proud
regnator, is (m) – ruler
litus, oris (n) – shore
truncus, i – trunk, body
avello, ere, i, avulsum – tear off
umerus, i – shoulder
11
25. referes… nunc morere:
a. what orders does Pyrrhus give Priam?
b. how does Pyrrhus’ speech convey his contempt for Priam and his words? Make
at least two points, referring to the Latin.
26. hoc… nati: what is Priam doing in
these lines?
27. implicuit… ensem: how does Pyrrhus
kill Priam?
28. hoc dicens… ensem: how does Vergil’s
language and style make Priam’s
death shocking? Make at least three points,
referring to the Latin.
29. haec finis… Asiae: what contrast does Vergil draw between Priam’s past and his
eventual fate?
30. iacet… corpus:
a. what is strange about the final resting place of Priam’s body?
b. what happens to Priam’s body?
Sack of Troy hydria (early 5th c.): Pyrrhus killing Priam.
What is different about this image from the
description in the Aeneid? Why do you think
Vergil did this?
12
Some 8-markers:
ecce autem elapsus Pyrrhi de caede Polites,
unus natorum Priami, per tela, per hostis
porticibus longis fugit, et vacua atria lustrat
saucius: illum ardens infesto vulnere Pyrrhus
insequitur, iam iamque manu tenet et premit hasta. 530
ut tandem ante oculos evasit et ora parentum,
concidit, ac multo vitam cum sanguine fudit.
hic Priamus, quamquam in media iam morte tenetur,
non tamen abstinuit, nec voci iraeque pepercit:
31. How does Vergil make these lines vivid and dramatic? You should refer to both content and style, quoting Latin. (8)
hoc dicens altaria ad ipsa trementem
traxit et in multo lapsantem sanguine nati,
implicuitque comam laeva, dextraque coruscum
extulit ac lateri capulo tenus abdidit ensem.
haec finis Priami fatorum; hic exitus illum
sorte tulit, Troiam incensam et prolapsa videntem 555
Pergama, tot quondam populis terrisque superbum
regnatorem Asiae. iacet ingens litore truncus,
avulsumque umeris caput, et sine nomine corpus.
32. How does Vergil evoke both shock and pity in these lines? You should refer to
both content and style, quoting Latin. (8)
13
After the description of Priam’s death, Aeneas
next narrates how he prepared to kill Helen in
vengeance for the disaster she had caused to his
homeland and family.
At the last moment, however,
his mother had appeared and
ordered him to return to his
home to save his family. She
showed him the true reality: the gods themselves
were destroying Troy. Aeneas finally recognised
that all was lost and headed home.
His father Anchises, however, initially refused to
leave, saying he was too old. Unable to abandon
his father, Aeneas prepared to return to the battle, but then a vision appeared:
fire playing around the head of his son Iulus:
At this my father, truly overcome, raised himself towards the sky,
and spoke to the gods, and proclaimed the sacred star.
“Now no delay: I follow, and where you lead, there am I.
Gods of my fathers, save my line, save my grandson.
This omen is yours, and Troy is in your divine power.
I accept, my son, and I will not refuse to go with you.”
Who was Aeneas’
mother?
Flame playing around the head of a child appears again in Roman myth with the king Servius Tullius: his royal destiny was shown while he was still a slave-boy by flames playing around his head.
14
AENEAS TELLS HOW HE SET OFF WITH HIS FAMILY
705–716
dixerat ille; et iam per moenia clarior ignis 705
auditur, propiusque aestus incendia volvunt.
“ergo age, care pater, cervici imponere nostrae;
ipse subibo umeris, nec me labor iste gravabit:
quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum,
una salus ambobus erit. mihi parvus Iulus 710
sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx:
vos, famuli, quae dicam, animis advertite vestris.
est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum
desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus
religione patrum multos servata per annos. 715
hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam.
moenia, moenium (n.pl.) – walls
ignis, is (m) – fire
aestus, us – heat
incendium, i – fire
volvo, ere, i – roll, move
ergo – therefore, then
age! – come on!
carus, a, um – dear
cervix, icis (f) – neck, back
imponere = imperat s. of imponeror – put oneself
subeo, ire – support, take....on
umerus, i – shoulder
iste, ista, istud – this, that
gravo, are – weigh down
quo… cumque – in whatever way
communis, e – shared, common
periclum = periculum
salus, utis (f) – (path to) safety
ambo -ae -a – both
sit = 3rd s. pres subjunc of sum
longe – at a distance
servet = 3rd s. pres subjunc of servo – (here) keep to
vestigium, i – footstep
coniunx, iugis (f) – wife
famulus, i – servant
quae = ea quae – the things which
animis adverto, -ere – turn mind to, pay attention to
tumulus, i – small hill
vetustus, a, um – old
desertus, a, um – deserted
Ceres, Cereris (f) – Ceres
iuxta – nearby
antiquus, a, um – ancient
cupressus, i (f) – cypress tree
religio, religionis (f) – reverence
ex diverso – from various directions
sedes, is (f) – place
15
33. dixerat ille: who is ille?
34. et iam… volvunt:
a. what signs were there of the approaching danger?
b. how does the language make these more threatening? Make at least two
points and refer to the Latin.
35. ergo… nostrae: what command
does Aeneas give his father?
36. ipse… gravabit: how does
Aeneas seek to reassure his
father?
37. quo res… ambobus erit: how
does Aeneas’ language stress
that he will share his father’s fate? Refer to the Latin.
38. mihi parvus… coniunx: what instructions does Aeneas give to his child and wife?
Iulus: Creusa:
39. vos, famuli… unam:
a. what does Aeneas tell the rest of his household to do?
b. what description does Aeneas give of the meeting place?
Pompeo Batoni: Aeneas fleeing from Troy Aeneas carrying his father from Troy is the iconic
image of filial piety in the Roman world.
16
717-729
tu, genitor, cape sacra manu patriosque Penatis;
me, bello e tanto digressum et caede recenti,
attrectare nefas, donec me flumine vivo
abluero.” 720
haec fatus, latos umeros subiectaque colla
veste super fulvique insternor pelle leonis,
succedoque oneri; dextrae se parvus Iulus
implicuit sequiturque patrem non passibus aequis;
pone subit coniunx: ferimur per opaca locorum; 725
et me, quem dudum non ulla iniecta movebant
tela neque adverso glomerati ex agmine Grai,
nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis
suspensum et pariter comitique onerique timentem.
genitor, oris (m) – father
sacra, orum – sacred emblems
patrius, a, um – ancestral, of one’s fathers
penates, ium (m) – the Penates (=household gods)
digredior, i – come from
caedes, is (f) – slaughter
recens, ntis – recent
attrecto, are – touch
nefas (indecl) – sin
donec – until
vivus, a, um – living, running, fresh
abluo, ere, i – wash (off)
for, fari, fatus sum – say, speak
latus, a, um – broad
umerus, i – shoulder
subiectus, a, um – stooping
collum, i – neck
vestis, is (f) – robe
super + acc– over, above
fulvus, a, um – yellow
insterno, -ere – cover over, spread over
pellis, is (f) – skin, pelt
leo, leonis (m) – lion
succedo, -ere + dat. – take up
onus, oneris (n) – burden
dextra, ae – right hand
implico, are, ui – entwine
passus, us – step
aequus, ak um – equal
pone – behind
subeo, subire – come up
opaca locorum (n.pl.) – shady places
dudum – lately
adversus, a, um – facing, opposed, hostile
glomero, are– mass together
agmen, inis (n) – column
aura, ae – breeze
sonus, -us – sound
excito, are – startle
suspensus, a, um – in suspense, hesitating
pariter – equally
onus, oneris (n) – burden
17
40. tu… Penatis: what Aeneas tell his father to take?
41. me… abluero: what reason does he give?
42. haec fatus… oneri: what does Aeneas do next? (answer in
detail)
43. dextrae … aequis: how does description suggest Iulus’
youth?
44. pone subit coniunx: who is this?
45. ferimus… locorum: why does this sound threatening?
46. et me… timentem:
a. what contrast does Aeneas draw here?
b. what has caused this change?
c. how does Vergil’s language stress Aeneas’ fear? Make two points and refer to
the Latin.
Bernini: Aeneas carrying Anchises who hold the Penates; Iulus is at the back of the statue to the right.
18
730-740
iamque propinquabam portis, omnemque videbar 730
evasisse viam, subito cum creber ad auris
visus adesse pedum sonitus, genitorque per umbram
prospiciens “nate,” exclamat, “fuge nate, propinquant.
ardentis clipeos atque aera micantia cerno!”—
hic mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum 735
confusam eripuit mentem. namque avia cursu
dum sequor, et nota excedo regione viarum,
heu, misero coniunx fatone erepta Creüsa
substitit, erravitne via, seu lassa resedit,
incertum; nec post oculis est reddita nostris. 740
propinquo, are + dat. – approach
evado, -ere, evasi – pass through, finish
creber, ra, rum – frequent, repeated
auris, auris (f) – ear
sonitus, us – sound
genitor, oris (m) – father
umbra, ae – shadow
prospicio, -ere – look ahead
natus, i – son
propinquo, are – I approach
ardens, ardentis – burning, flashing
clipeus, i – shield
aes, aeris (n) – bronze
mico, are, ui – glitter
nescio quod – I don’t know what, some
trepidus, a, um – frightened
numen, numinis (n) – divine power
male…amicum – unfriendly
confusus, a, um – confused
mens, mentis (f) – mind
avia -orum (n.pl.) – pathless routes
cursus, us – running
notus, a, um – known
excedo, -ere + abl. – depart from
regio, regionis (f) – district, area
heu – alas
fatum – fate, chance
-ne… -ne… seu – whether… or… or
Creusa, ae – Creusa (Aeneas’ wife)
subsisto, -ere, substiti – stop
erro, are– wander from
lassus, a, um – tired
resedo, -ere, resedi – sit down
incertus, a, um – uncertain
post – afterwards
oculus, i – eye, sight
Another famous Latin poet, Ovid, puts the following words
into the mouth of Dido (the Carthaginian queen whom
Aeneas marries and later abandons):
“You deceived me in all; nor am I the first credulous fool
deluded by that perjured tongue, or the first who have
suffered from a rash belief. If we ask after the mother of
beautiful Iulus, we find that she fell deserted by a cruel
and hard-hearted husband.” (Heroides 81-4).
19
47. iamque… viam: where has Aeneas got to by this point?
48. subito… sonitus: how does Vergil’s language add to the impression of an outburst of
loud noise? Make at least two points and refer to the Latin.
49. genitor… cerno: what does Anchises say he has seen and what is this supposed to
indicate?
50. hic mihi… mentem:
a. what effect does Anchises’ exclamation have on Aeneas?
b. how does the language stress his mental turmoil? Make at least two points,
referring to the Latin.
51. namque… viarum: what does Aeneas do next?
52. heu… incertum:
a. what happens to Creusa?
b. what options does Aeneas give for why this happened?
53. nec post… nostris: do any of them see her after this?
20
Some 8-marker questions
“ergo age, care pater, cervici imponere nostrae; ipse subibo umeris, nec me labor iste gravabit: quo res cumque cadent, unum et commune periclum, una salus ambobus erit. mihi parvus Iulus 710 sit comes, et longe servet vestigia coniunx: vos, famuli, quae dicam, animis advertite vestris. est urbe egressis tumulus templumque vetustum desertae Cereris, iuxtaque antiqua cupressus religione patrum multos servata per annos. 715 hanc ex diverso sedem veniemus in unam.”
54. How does Vergil create an impression of Aeneas as a caring and decisive leader
of his household? You should refer to both content and style, quoting Latin. (8)
et me, quem dudum non ulla iniecta movebant tela neque adverso glomerati ex agmine Grai, nunc omnes terrent aurae, sonus excitat omnis suspensum et pariter comitique onerique timentem. iamque propinquabam portis, omnemque videbar 730 evasisse viam, subito cum creber ad auris visus adesse pedum sonitus, genitorque per umbram prospiciens “nate,” exclamat, “fuge nate, propinquant. ardentis clipeos atque aera micantia cerno!”— hic mihi nescio quod trepido male numen amicum 735 confusam eripuit mentem. namque avia cursu dum sequor, et nota excedo regione viarum…
55. How does Vergil create a vivid impression of the terrifying journey through the
destroyed city? You should refer to both content and style, quoting Latin. (8)
21
Aeneas continues his story…
“Nor did I look back for my lost one, or cast a thought behind me,
until we came to the mound, and ancient Ceres’s sacred place.
Here when all were gathered together at last, one was missing,
and had escaped the notice of friends, child and husband.
What man or god did I not accuse in my madness:
what did I know of in the city’s fall crueller than this?
I place Ascanius, and my father Anchises, and the gods of Troy,
in my companions’ care, and conceal them in a winding valley:
I myself seek the city once more, and take up my shining armour.
I’m determined to incur every risk again, and retrace
all Troy, and once more expose my life to danger.
First I look for the wall, and the dark threshold of the gate
from which my path led, and I retrace the landmarks
of my course in the night, scanning them with my eye.
Everywhere the terror in my heart, and the silence itself,
dismay me. Then I take myself homewards, in case
by chance, by some chance, she has made her way there.
The Greeks have invaded, and occupied, the whole house.
Suddenly eager fire, rolls over the rooftop, in the wind:
the flames take hold, the blaze rages to the heavens.
I pass by and see again Priam’s palace and the citadel.
Now Phoenix, and fatal Ulysses, the chosen guards, watch over
the spoils, in the empty courts of Juno’s sanctuary.
Here the Trojan treasures are gathered from every part,
ripped from the blazing shrines, tables of the gods,
solid gold bowls, and plundered robes.
Mothers and trembling sons stand round in long ranks.”
(Lines 741-767)
How does Vergil try to make Aeneas’ abandonment of his wife reflect less poorly on him in these lines?
22
AENEAS TELLS HOW HE SEARCHED FOR CREUSA
768–779
ausus quin etiam voces iactare per umbram
implevi clamore vias, maestusque Creüsam 769
nequiquam ingeminans iterumque iterumque vocavi.
quaerenti et tectis urbis sine fine furenti
infelix simulacrum atque ipsius umbra Creüsae
visa mihi ante oculos et nota maior imago.
obstipui, steteruntque comae et vox faucibus haesit.
tum sic adfari et curas his demere dictis: 775
“quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori,
o dulcis coniunx? non haec sine numine divom
eveniunt; nec te hinc comitem asportare Creüsam
fas, aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi.
quin etiam – moreover
iacto, are – throw
impleo, ere, evi – fill
maestus, a, um – sad
nequiquam – in vain
ingemino, are – redouble, repeat
tectum, i – building
finis, is (m) – end
furo, -ere – rage, rush madly
simulacrum, i – image
umbra, ae – shade, ghost
oculus, i – eye
notus, a, um – known
imago, inis (f) – image
obstipesco, -ere, obstipui – be astounded, be amazed
comae, arum – hair
fauces, faucium (f.pl.) – throat
haereo, ere, haesi + dat– stick
adfor, ari – address
cura, ae – concern, care, worry
demo, -ere, dempsi – take away
dictum, i – word
quid – why
insanus, a, um – mad
iuvat – it pleases, it delights
indulgeo, ere + dat. – yield to, indulge in
dolor, oris (m) – grief
dulcis, e – sweet
coniunx, iugis (m) – husband
numen, inis (n) – divine power
divom = divorum
evenio, ire – happen
hinc – from here
asporto, are – carry
fas – (divine) right, law
sino, -ere, sivi – allow
superus, a, um – above
regnator, oris (m) – ruler
Olympus, i – Olympus
23
56. ausus… vocavi: what did Aeneas do to find Creusa?
57. quaerenti… furenti: quote and translate the
word which shows Aeneas’ state of mind.
58. infelix… imago:
a. what happens at this point?
b. what is different about Creusa’s
appearance?
59. obstipui… haesit: how does Vergil create a
vivid impression of Aeneas’ shock? Refer to the
Latin.
60. quid… dolori: how does Creusa characterise
Aeneas’ actions at this point?
61. o dulcis coniunx: how does this address suggest that Aeneas did nothing wrong?
62. non haec… Olympi: how do these words let Aeneas off the hook?
24
780-789
“longa tibi exsilia, et vastum maris aequor arandum, 780
et terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva
inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris:
illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx
parta tibi. lacrimas dilectae pelle Creüsae.
non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumve superbas 785
aspiciam, aut Graiis servitum matribus ibo,
Dardanis, et divae Veneris nurus.
sed me magna deum genetrix his detinet oris:
iamque vale, et nati serva communis amorem.”
exsilium, i – banishment, exile
vastus, a, um – vast, immense
aequor, oris (n) – surface
aro, are – plough over
Hesperia, ae – Hesperia (=Italy)
Lydius, a, um – Lydian
arvum, i – field
opimus, a, um – rich
lenis, e – gentle
fluo, -ere – flow
agmen, inis (n) – course
Thybris, is (m) – River Tiber
illic – there
regnum, i – kingdom
regius, a, um – royal
coniunx, iugis (f) – wife
pario, ere, peperi, partum – bear, give birth to; produce
lacrima, ae – tear
diligo, -ere, dilegi, dilectum – love
Myrmidones, -um (m.pl) – the Myrmidons (Achilles’ forces)
Dolopes, um (m.pl) – the Dolopians (another Greek tribe)
sedes, is (f) – seat, house
superbus, a, um – arrogant
aspicio, ere – look at
servio, ire + dat – serve
Graius, a, um – Greek
Dardanis, idis (f) – Trojan woman
divus, a, um – divine
Venus, eris (f) – Venus
nurus, us (f) – daughter-in-law
deum = deorum
genetrix, icis (f) – mother
detineo, ere – keep
ora, ae – shore
natus, i – son
servo, are – keep
communis, e – shared
25
63. longa… venies: what prophecy does Creusa make about Aeneas’ future?
(answer in detail)
64. ubi Lydius … tibi: how does Creusa
suggest that the future will be good?
65. regia coniunx: who is this?
66. lacrimas… Creusae: what order does Creusa give Aeneas?
67. non ego… ibo: why is Creusa pleased to be dead?
68. Dardanis… nurus: what does Creusa claim to be here,
and why does she state this here?
69. sed me… oris: who is the magna deum genetrix?
70. iamque vale… amorem: what final command does Creusa
give Aeneas?
The Tiber running through Rome with the mausoleum of emperor Hadrian in the background.
Cult statue of Cybele at Ephesus
26
790-794
haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem 790
dicere deseruit, tenuisque recessit in auras.
ter conatus ibi collo dare bracchia circum:
ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago,
par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.
Book II ends:
So at last when night was done, I returned to my friends.
And here, amazed, I found that a great number of new
companions had streamed in, women and men,
a crowd gathering for exile, a wretched throng.
They had come from all sides, ready, with courage and wealth,
for whatever land I wished to lead them to, across the seas.
And now Lucifer was rising above the heights of Ida,
bringing the dawn, and the Greeks held the barricaded
entrances to the gates, nor was there any hope of rescue.
I desisted, and, carrying my father, took to the hills.
dictum, i – word
desero, -ere, deserui – desert
tenuis, e – thin
recedo, -ere, recessi – retreat, go back
aura, ae – breeze
ter – three times
collum, i – neck
bracchium, i – arm
comprendo, ere, di, sum – embrace, grasp
imago, imaginis (f) – image, shade
par, paris + dat. – equal, like
levis, e – light
ventus, i – wind
volucer, cris, cre – winged
similis, e + dat. – like
somnus, i – sleep
27
71. haec ubi… auras:
a. what happens here?
b. how does this exculpate Aeneas?
72. ter conatus… circum: what does Aeneas try to do?
73. ter frustra… imago: what is the effect of repeating ‘ter’ followed by frustra?
74. par … somno: how does this line show Creusa’s ethereal nature?
Impression from gem: ghost of Creusa leaving Aeneas
28
Some 8 markers
“quid tantum insano iuvat indulgere dolori,
o dulcis coniunx? non haec sine numine divom
eveniunt; nec te hinc comitem asportare Creüsam
fas, aut ille sinit superi regnator Olympi.
longa tibi exsilia, et vastum maris aequor arandum, 780
et terram Hesperiam venies, ubi Lydius arva
inter opima virum leni fluit agmine Thybris:
illic res laetae regnumque et regia coniunx
parta tibi. lacrimas dilectae pelle Creüsae.
non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumve superbas 785
aspiciam, aut Graiis servitum matribus ibo,
Dardanis, et divae Veneris nurus.”
75. How effectively does Creusa comfort Aeneas in these lines? You should refer to both content and style, quoting Latin. (8)
‘lacrimas dilectae pelle Creusae.
non ego Myrmidonum sedes Dolopumve superbas 785
aspiciam, aut Grais servitum matribus ibo,
Dardanis, et divae Veneris nurus:
sed me magna deum genetrix his detinet oris.
iamque vale, et nati serva communis amorem.’
haec ubi dicta dedit, lacrimantem et multa volentem 790 dicere deseruit, tenuisque recessit in auras. ter conatus ibi collo dare bracchia circum; ter frustra comprensa manus effugit imago, par levibus ventis volucrique simillima somno.
76. How does Virgil evoke pathos in these lines? You should refer to both content and style, quoting Latin. (8)
Some 10-mark questions
77. What impression of Aeneas have you gained? 78. How effectively does Vergil depict the horrific effects of war? 79. To what extent do we feel sympathy for Priam and Aeneas? 80. Is Aeneas’ behaviour in Aeneid II heroic? 81. Does anything positive emerge from the fall of Troy? 82. How effective a story-teller is Vergil? 83. What details in Virgil’s portrayal of the fall of Troy strike you as particularly
tragic? (2011)