The Aeneid (55 page)
4.21-22
my first love deceived me . . . / by his death:
Sychaeus’ murder deceived Dido in the sense that it unexpectedly disappointed her future hopes.
my first love deceived me . . . / by his death:
Sychaeus’ murder deceived Dido in the sense that it unexpectedly disappointed her future hopes.
4.179
Apollo leaving his Lycian haunts:
See LYCIA. Apollo presumably leaves his winter residence at Patara in Lycia, when travel becomes feasible, to hold a festival at his birthplace, Delos.
Apollo leaving his Lycian haunts:
See LYCIA. Apollo presumably leaves his winter residence at Patara in Lycia, when travel becomes feasible, to hold a festival at his birthplace, Delos.
4.219-36
Rumor . . . :
The associations surrounding Rumor as sister of Coeus, a Titan, and Enceladus, one of the Giants, are deliberately unpleasant, smacking of anger and vengeance. For Jupiter had destroyed the Giant and the Titan, and Mother Earth “bore one last child, Fama [Rumor],” as Williams explains (1972, Note 4.179) “to be their sister and take vengeance on gods and men with her evil tongue.”
Rumor . . . :
The associations surrounding Rumor as sister of Coeus, a Titan, and Enceladus, one of the Giants, are deliberately unpleasant, smacking of anger and vengeance. For Jupiter had destroyed the Giant and the Titan, and Mother Earth “bore one last child, Fama [Rumor],” as Williams explains (1972, Note 4.179) “to be their sister and take vengeance on gods and men with her evil tongue.”
4.285
not for
this
did she save him twice from Greek attacks:
As Williams explains (1972, Note 4.228), “once from Diomedes . . . and once from burning Troy.” See
Iliad
5.347-56 and
Aeneid
2.729-52.
not for
this
did she save him twice from Greek attacks:
As Williams explains (1972, Note 4.228), “once from Diomedes . . . and once from burning Troy.” See
Iliad
5.347-56 and
Aeneid
2.729-52.
4.305-6
[Mercury’s] wand . . . that unseals our eyes in death:
He seals the eyes of the dead, then opens them when the body is placed on the pyre, perhaps to grant them vision after the dead have been cremated. There is a passage in Pliny’s
Historia Naturalis
(11.150) that refers to the custom.
[Mercury’s] wand . . . that unseals our eyes in death:
He seals the eyes of the dead, then opens them when the body is placed on the pyre, perhaps to grant them vision after the dead have been cremated. There is a passage in Pliny’s
Historia Naturalis
(11.150) that refers to the custom.
4.376-77
the cyclic orgy . . . / and Cithaeron echoes round . . . :
The festival was “triennial,” which is to say held every other year, in the ancient system of counting. Mount Cithaeron was the setting for the
Bacchae
of Euripides.
the cyclic orgy . . . / and Cithaeron echoes round . . . :
The festival was “triennial,” which is to say held every other year, in the ancient system of counting. Mount Cithaeron was the setting for the
Bacchae
of Euripides.
4.431-32
Grynean Apollo’s oracle . . . / his Lycian lots . . . :
Lots here stand for some written version of the oracle’s utterances that would have stated simply “Italy.”
Grynean Apollo’s oracle . . . / his Lycian lots . . . :
Lots here stand for some written version of the oracle’s utterances that would have stated simply “Italy.”
4.641-48
She’d sprinkled water . . . :
Dido’s many ritual acts and implements, the water sprinkled, the potent herbs, the bronze sickles, the love-charm ripped from a foal’s brow, the moonlight, the sacred grain, the one foot freed from its sandal, the robes unbound—all are concerned with traditional aspects of magic.
She’d sprinkled water . . . :
Dido’s many ritual acts and implements, the water sprinkled, the potent herbs, the bronze sickles, the love-charm ripped from a foal’s brow, the moonlight, the sacred grain, the one foot freed from its sandal, the robes unbound—all are concerned with traditional aspects of magic.
4.710-11
Woman’s a thing / that’s always changing, shifting like the wind: Varium et mutabile semper / femina
[4.569-70] is, according to Dryden, “the sharpest satire, in the fewest words, that ever was made on womankind; for both the adjectives are neuter, and
animal
must be understood, to make them grammar. Virgil does well to put the words into the mouth of Mercury.
If a god had not spoken them, neither durst he have written them, nor I translated them
[Dryden’s italics]” (
Dedication of the Aeneis,
1697). Referred to by Williams, 1972, note 4.569-70.
Woman’s a thing / that’s always changing, shifting like the wind: Varium et mutabile semper / femina
[4.569-70] is, according to Dryden, “the sharpest satire, in the fewest words, that ever was made on womankind; for both the adjectives are neuter, and
animal
must be understood, to make them grammar. Virgil does well to put the words into the mouth of Mercury.
If a god had not spoken them, neither durst he have written them, nor I translated them
[Dryden’s italics]” (
Dedication of the Aeneis,
1697). Referred to by Williams, 1972, note 4.569-70.
4.779
Come rising up from my bones, you avenger still unknown:
For Hannibal as the avenger whom Dido cannot know and so must leave nameless, see Introduction, pp. 24ff.
Come rising up from my bones, you avenger still unknown:
For Hannibal as the avenger whom Dido cannot know and so must leave nameless, see Introduction, pp. 24ff.
4.818-19
So—/ so—:
The tradition that the repetition of “so” (Latin
sic
) represents Dido’s suicidal sword-strokes is as early as Virgil’s fourth-century A.D. commentator, Servius (on line 4.660).
So—/ so—:
The tradition that the repetition of “so” (Latin
sic
) represents Dido’s suicidal sword-strokes is as early as Virgil’s fourth-century A.D. commentator, Servius (on line 4.660).
4.868
Proserpina had yet to pluck a golden lock from her head:
Proserpina would ordinarily have snipped a lock of hair from the dead as an offering. Her role here is taken by Iris because, as a suicide, Dido’s death was seen as premature.
Proserpina had yet to pluck a golden lock from her head:
Proserpina would ordinarily have snipped a lock of hair from the dead as an offering. Her role here is taken by Iris because, as a suicide, Dido’s death was seen as premature.
5.134-318
For the first event, enter / four great ships . . . :
A ship-race in which Cloanthus pilots the
Scylla
to victory, MNESTHEUS pilots the
Dragon
to second place, GYAS the
Chimaera
to third, and SERGESTUS the
Centaur
to fourth and last. See Williams, 1960, Note 5.114-50.
For the first event, enter / four great ships . . . :
A ship-race in which Cloanthus pilots the
Scylla
to victory, MNESTHEUS pilots the
Dragon
to second place, GYAS the
Chimaera
to third, and SERGESTUS the
Centaur
to fourth and last. See Williams, 1960, Note 5.114-50.
5.325-402
a breathless foot-race now . . . :
In which Euryalus finishes first, Helymus second, Diores third, Salius fourth, and Nisus fifth, followed by Patron and Panopes and “many others too, their names now lost / in the dark depths of time” (336-37). See Williams, 1960, Note 5.315-39.
a breathless foot-race now . . . :
In which Euryalus finishes first, Helymus second, Diores third, Salius fourth, and Nisus fifth, followed by Patron and Panopes and “many others too, their names now lost / in the dark depths of time” (336-37). See Williams, 1960, Note 5.315-39.
5.400-1
Didymaon’s work / the Greeks had torn from Neptune’s sacred gate:
Didymaon is otherwise unknown. The reference may be to an event in the Trojan War.
Didymaon’s work / the Greeks had torn from Neptune’s sacred gate:
Didymaon is otherwise unknown. The reference may be to an event in the Trojan War.
5.539-98
those who wish / to contend with winging shafts . . . :
In the archery contest Acestes places first, Eurytion second, Mnestheus third, and Hippocoön fourth. See Williams, 1960, note 5.485-518.
those who wish / to contend with winging shafts . . . :
In the archery contest Acestes places first, Eurytion second, Mnestheus third, and Hippocoön fourth. See Williams, 1960, note 5.485-518.
5.548-50
famous Pandarus, / archer who once . . . :
For the Iliadic background of this passage, see PANDARUS (1), Trojan archer who at Troy, under Athena’s orders, “broke that truce [between the Trojans and the Argives], / the first to whip an arrow into the Argive ranks,” and wounded Menelaus. For the event and its consequences, see
Iliad
4.99-167.
famous Pandarus, / archer who once . . . :
For the Iliadic background of this passage, see PANDARUS (1), Trojan archer who at Troy, under Athena’s orders, “broke that truce [between the Trojans and the Argives], / the first to whip an arrow into the Argive ranks,” and wounded Menelaus. For the event and its consequences, see
Iliad
4.99-167.
5.575-76
a potent marvel / destined to shape the future:
Though there has been debate about the meaning of the sign, its positive nature and association with Acestes probably is meant to anticipate the latter’s founding of ACESTA.
a potent marvel / destined to shape the future:
Though there has been debate about the meaning of the sign, its positive nature and association with Acestes probably is meant to anticipate the latter’s founding of ACESTA.
5.612
hair bound tight:
Since at lines 743-45 Ascanius doffs his helmet, we must assume that there was a change of headgear after the initial moments of the ceremony.
hair bound tight:
Since at lines 743-45 Ascanius doffs his helmet, we must assume that there was a change of headgear after the initial moments of the ceremony.
5.655-62
This tradition . . . :
The earliest reference we have to the equestrian maneuvers known as “the Game of Troy,” or simply “Troy,” dates from the time of Sulla, which is to say the late second or early first century B.C. As with so many other details in Book 5, the anachronism is deliberate on Virgil’s part. See TROY (3).
This tradition . . . :
The earliest reference we have to the equestrian maneuvers known as “the Game of Troy,” or simply “Troy,” dates from the time of Sulla, which is to say the late second or early first century B.C. As with so many other details in Book 5, the anachronism is deliberate on Virgil’s part. See TROY (3).
5.757
devoted Aeneas ripped the robe:
To tear one’s garments is a customary sign of grief in many cultures.
devoted Aeneas ripped the robe:
To tear one’s garments is a customary sign of grief in many cultures.
5.894-903
I cared for your Aeneas . . . :
To support his point, Neptune refers to two incidents, one at the start of the
Aeneid,
in the storm off Carthage, which only the king of the sea can calm, and another in
Iliad
20.314-86, where Neptune removes Aeneas from mortal combat with Achilles.
I cared for your Aeneas . . . :
To support his point, Neptune refers to two incidents, one at the start of the
Aeneid,
in the storm off Carthage, which only the king of the sea can calm, and another in
Iliad
20.314-86, where Neptune removes Aeneas from mortal combat with Achilles.
5.906
Only one will be lost:
Palinurus; see 5.929-72.
Only one will be lost:
Palinurus; see 5.929-72.
5.920
Fair-Isle, Sea-Cave, Spray, and the Waves’ Embrace:
Throughout the
Aeneid,
the translation attempts to render many, but far from all, “significant names” in terms of their Greek or Latin roots. Following the lead of such translators as Arrowsmith, Rouse, and Fitzgerald, this has been the translator’s practice with certain Homeric names—the marine names of the Nereids, for example, in the
Iliad
(18.43-56, and Note ad loc), and the nautical names of the Phaea cian sea-men in the
Odyssey
(8.129-39, and Note ad loc). Here in
Aeneid
5.920, where Virgil has borrowed a few Homeric names for the Nereids (
Iliad
18.45-46), the translator borrows and adapts a few of his own English names in turn. Elsewhere, the names “Fire-Anvil,”“Lightning,” and “Thunder” (8.501) for the Cyclops who forge Aeneas’ shield, and the name “Blaze” for Pallas’ charger (11.103), reflect the same approach. (The translator has refrained, however, from rendering the name of Mezentius’ mount—
Rhaebus
[10.1021], “Bandy-Legs” in Greek—lest it recall the awkward American champion, Seabiscuit.)
Fair-Isle, Sea-Cave, Spray, and the Waves’ Embrace:
Throughout the
Aeneid,
the translation attempts to render many, but far from all, “significant names” in terms of their Greek or Latin roots. Following the lead of such translators as Arrowsmith, Rouse, and Fitzgerald, this has been the translator’s practice with certain Homeric names—the marine names of the Nereids, for example, in the
Iliad
(18.43-56, and Note ad loc), and the nautical names of the Phaea cian sea-men in the
Odyssey
(8.129-39, and Note ad loc). Here in
Aeneid
5.920, where Virgil has borrowed a few Homeric names for the Nereids (
Iliad
18.45-46), the translator borrows and adapts a few of his own English names in turn. Elsewhere, the names “Fire-Anvil,”“Lightning,” and “Thunder” (8.501) for the Cyclops who forge Aeneas’ shield, and the name “Blaze” for Pallas’ charger (11.103), reflect the same approach. (The translator has refrained, however, from rendering the name of Mezentius’ mount—
Rhaebus
[10.1021], “Bandy-Legs” in Greek—lest it recall the awkward American champion, Seabiscuit.)
5.964-65
the Sirens’ rocks—/ hard straits once . . . :
See SIRENS. Servius connected the Sirens with Capreae, modern Capri, off the southern coast of the Bay of Naples. It is with one of the Sirens, Parthenope standing for Naples itself, that Virgil connects the writing of the
Georgics
(see
Georgics
4.564).
the Sirens’ rocks—/ hard straits once . . . :
See SIRENS. Servius connected the Sirens with Capreae, modern Capri, off the southern coast of the Bay of Naples. It is with one of the Sirens, Parthenope standing for Naples itself, that Virgil connects the writing of the
Georgics
(see
Georgics
4.564).
6.53
an enormous cavern pierced by a hundred tunnels:
See the detailed discussion, with illustrations, by Austin (1977, Note 6.42-76).
an enormous cavern pierced by a hundred tunnels:
See the detailed discussion, with illustrations, by Austin (1977, Note 6.42-76).
6.89-90
don’t commit your words / to the . . . leaves:
A reference to the Sibyl’s typically helter-skelter way of delivering her oracles, which prompts Aeneas’ prayer that she sing those oracles herself, presumably in the interests of clarity and permanence.
don’t commit your words / to the . . . leaves:
A reference to the Sibyl’s typically helter-skelter way of delivering her oracles, which prompts Aeneas’ prayer that she sing those oracles herself, presumably in the interests of clarity and permanence.
6.106
a new Achilles:
For the significance of the Sibyl’s expression, see Note 7.434-36, and TURNUS.
a new Achilles:
For the significance of the Sibyl’s expression, see Note 7.434-36, and TURNUS.
6.111
Again a stranger bride:
As Williams explains (1972, note 6.93-94), “the first foreign bride was Helen, this one will be Lavinia.” The first was the cause of the Trojan War; the second, the cause of the war in Latium.
Again a stranger bride:
As Williams explains (1972, note 6.93-94), “the first foreign bride was Helen, this one will be Lavinia.” The first was the cause of the Trojan War; the second, the cause of the war in Latium.
6.116
a city built by Greeks:
The Sibyl refers, in her riddling way, both to Evander and his Greek roots, and to Pallanteum, his Italian capital (later Rome), and the assistance it can offer Aeneas and his armies. See 8.50-59, and Williams, 1972, Note 6.97.
a city built by Greeks:
The Sibyl refers, in her riddling way, both to Evander and his Greek roots, and to Pallanteum, his Italian capital (later Rome), and the assistance it can offer Aeneas and his armies. See 8.50-59, and Williams, 1972, Note 6.97.
6.158-59
twice / to sail the Stygian marsh, to see black Tartarus twice:
As Williams notes, “instead of the normal once” (1972, note 6.134); or as Circe praises Ulysses for his courage in descending to the Underworld while still alive, “doomed to die twice over—others die just once” (
Odyssey
12.24).
twice / to sail the Stygian marsh, to see black Tartarus twice:
As Williams notes, “instead of the normal once” (1972, note 6.134); or as Circe praises Ulysses for his courage in descending to the Underworld while still alive, “doomed to die twice over—others die just once” (
Odyssey
12.24).
6.239-45
the twofold tree, its green / a foil for the breath of gold . . . :
See R. A. Brooks under Commager in Suggestions for Further Reading.
the twofold tree, its green / a foil for the breath of gold . . . :
See R. A. Brooks under Commager in Suggestions for Further Reading.
6.384-423
Palinurus . . . / fresh from the Libyan run . . . :
The discrepancies between Virgil’s accounts of Palinurus’ death, here and at 5.921-72, are discussed by Williams, 1960, Note 5.827f., and in his Introduction to Book 5, pp. xxv-xxviii.
Palinurus . . . / fresh from the Libyan run . . . :
The discrepancies between Virgil’s accounts of Palinurus’ death, here and at 5.921-72, are discussed by Williams, 1960, Note 5.827f., and in his Introduction to Book 5, pp. xxv-xxviii.
6.395
Apollo’s prophetic cauldron:
The
cortina
was actually the cauldron that stood on top of the tripod, hence a metonymy for Delphi and for Apollo.
Apollo’s prophetic cauldron:
The
cortina
was actually the cauldron that stood on top of the tripod, hence a metonymy for Delphi and for Apollo.
6.557-58
Here Tydeus . . . Parthenopaeus . . . / Adrastus’ pallid phantom:
The first three ghost-heroes mentioned here, Tydeus, Parthenopaeus, and Adrastus, formed part of the so-called Seven against Thebes. This failed expedition, which was organized by Polynices, son of Oedipus and Jocasta, to retake the throne of Thebes from his brother, Eteocles, was led by Adrastus, who alone survived. Parthenopaeus receives a succinct but moving lament at the conclusion of Statius’ epic
Thebaid,
which takes the ill-fated adventure as its subject.
Here Tydeus . . . Parthenopaeus . . . / Adrastus’ pallid phantom:
The first three ghost-heroes mentioned here, Tydeus, Parthenopaeus, and Adrastus, formed part of the so-called Seven against Thebes. This failed expedition, which was organized by Polynices, son of Oedipus and Jocasta, to retake the throne of Thebes from his brother, Eteocles, was led by Adrastus, who alone survived. Parthenopaeus receives a succinct but moving lament at the conclusion of Statius’ epic
Thebaid,
which takes the ill-fated adventure as its subject.
6.588
three times with a ringing voice:
The triple cry raised as a funeral rite, presumably a farewell to the dead; three times presumably to make sure the dead hear the cry.
three times with a ringing voice:
The triple cry raised as a funeral rite, presumably a farewell to the dead; three times presumably to make sure the dead hear the cry.
6.615-16
Ulysses . . . / Aeolus’ crafty heir:
Ulysses is here called
Aeolides,
which is to say grandson of AEOLUS (1), a caustic reference to the story that Ulysses had been fathered by Sisyphus, son of Aeolus, on Anticleia before her marriage to Laertes.
Ulysses . . . / Aeolus’ crafty heir:
Ulysses is here called
Aeolides,
which is to say grandson of AEOLUS (1), a caustic reference to the story that Ulysses had been fathered by Sisyphus, son of Aeolus, on Anticleia before her marriage to Laertes.
6.877
bright souls, future heirs of our name and our renown:
For the figures in Anchises’ pageant, see Introduction, pp. 25-33.
bright souls, future heirs of our name and our renown:
For the figures in Anchises’ pageant, see Introduction, pp. 25-33.
6.879
that youth who leans on a tipless spear of honor:
Silvius Aeneas; see Introduction, p. 29.
that youth who leans on a tipless spear of honor:
Silvius Aeneas; see Introduction, p. 29.
6.900-1
[Jupiter] marks him out / with his own bolts of honor:
The most likely sign that would associate Romulus with Jupiter is the lightning bolt, which he presumably carried in his hand. The
spolia opima,
weapons taken from an enemy chieftain and dedicated to Jupiter—a tradition begun by Romulus, have also been suggested.
[Jupiter] marks him out / with his own bolts of honor:
The most likely sign that would associate Romulus with Jupiter is the lightning bolt, which he presumably carried in his hand. The
spolia opima,
weapons taken from an enemy chieftain and dedicated to Jupiter—a tradition begun by Romulus, have also been suggested.
6.942
the fasces he reclaims:
For “fasces,” see Introduction, p. 30.
the fasces he reclaims:
For “fasces,” see Introduction, p. 30.
6.1035-36
shows them out now / through the Ivory Gate:
For the distinction between the Gate of Ivory and the Gate of Horn as passageways for our dreams, see 6.1029-33, and Introduction, p. 32.
shows them out now / through the Ivory Gate:
For the distinction between the Gate of Ivory and the Gate of Horn as passageways for our dreams, see 6.1029-33, and Introduction, p. 32.
7.127-28
eating / our platters now:
The reference goes back to 3.295-310, where, however, the prophecy is uttered by the Harpy Celaeno, not Anchises.
eating / our platters now:
The reference goes back to 3.295-310, where, however, the prophecy is uttered by the Harpy Celaeno, not Anchises.
7.176-77
an olive branch of Pallas / wound in wool:
The olive branch, traditional symbol of peace, is here wreathed with woolen bands, as Aeneas makes his supplication.
an olive branch of Pallas / wound in wool:
The olive branch, traditional symbol of peace, is here wreathed with woolen bands, as Aeneas makes his supplication.
7.260
the four cool zones of earth:
Ilioneus considers the earth as divided into five zones. The central torrid zone is flanked by the remaining four, two temperate, adjacent to it, and two cold, at the extremes.
the four cool zones of earth:
Ilioneus considers the earth as divided into five zones. The central torrid zone is flanked by the remaining four, two temperate, adjacent to it, and two cold, at the extremes.
7.327
the mixed breed that crafty Circe bred:
Circe was able to mate the immortal horses of her father, the Sun, with mortal stock to create a mixed breed.
the mixed breed that crafty Circe bred:
Circe was able to mate the immortal horses of her father, the Sun, with mortal stock to create a mixed breed.
7.358-59
for what foul crimes did Calydon and the Lapiths / merit so much pain
? Calydon was ravaged by a boar sent by Diana to destroy the countryside, because its king, Oeneus, had slighted her. It was finally killed by Meleager. The Lapiths, among whom Ixion and Pirithous are to be numbered, were at the latter’s wedding set to fighting the Centaurs by Mars, because he was not invited to the feast. At
Aeneid
6.694 they are among the sinners perpetually punished in Tartarus.
for what foul crimes did Calydon and the Lapiths / merit so much pain
? Calydon was ravaged by a boar sent by Diana to destroy the countryside, because its king, Oeneus, had slighted her. It was finally killed by Meleager. The Lapiths, among whom Ixion and Pirithous are to be numbered, were at the latter’s wedding set to fighting the Centaurs by Mars, because he was not invited to the feast. At
Aeneid
6.694 they are among the sinners perpetually punished in Tartarus.
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