1

GCSE Latin 2020-21

Verse Set Text1

Virgil, Aeneid 2

ll. 506–558,

705–740, 768–794

1 Text from perseus.org

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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…

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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.

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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

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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)