7 min read•march 6, 2023
Mick Polito
Jack Marso
Mick Polito
Jack Marso
Vergil continues Book 2 by moving on from Sinon, who just completed his eerie speech of his experience as a Greek sacrifice and how under the assistance of Pallas Minerva and the Trojan horse, if brought into the city, would spark a war. The attention is now focused back on Laocoon, the Trojan Priest.
We'll help you review these lines both in English and Latin, so let's get started!
Before we dive into breaking down the Latin lines into text we can more clearly comprehend, we will answer some questions based on the designated skill categories! The skill categories for these lines are Reading and Comprehension, Translation and Textual Analysis so be aware of that when you answer these questions and read these lines.
ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos
perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno,
clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit:
qualis mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram
taurus et incertam excussit cervice securim.
at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones
effugiunt saevaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem,
sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.
Try to answer these questions either on paper, a device, or in your head. Then, review the answers by reading below and referring back to the Latin text above.
accingunt omnes operi pedibusque rotarum
subiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula collo
intendunt ; scandit fatalis machina muros,
feta armis. pueri circum innuptaeque puellae
sacra canunt funemque manu contingere gaudent;
illa subit mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi
Translate these lines as literally as possible on your own, then check it with the translation below and revise (if necessary).
Everyone girds for the tasks and they arrange the wheels allowing motion under its foundation, and extend hemp ropes around its neck. That motor of fate ascends our walls pregnant with weapons. All over boys, and virgin girls, sing sacred songs, and rejoice to touch the ropes with their hands: Up it sails and passes threateningly into the midst of the city.
Remember if you have different wording than we did, that’s perfectly acceptable! Just make sure the words used have the same meaning attached to them.
Laocoon with his sons becomes intertwined among the twin serpents. Image Courtesy of the Munich Digitization Center
The wooden horse is entering the city of Troy. Image Courtesy of Artmajeur
Now, we'll be moving on to lines 269-297, so follow along as we continue to review!
Aeneas
: Aeneas was a Trojan hero and the protagonist of Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid. He is known for his journey from Troy to Italy, where he eventually becomes the founder of Rome.Agamemnon
: Agamemnon was a legendary king of Mycenae and the leader of the Greek forces in the Trojan War. He is known for his role in the epic poem, "The Iliad," written by Homer.Alliteration
: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words or phrases. It adds emphasis and rhythm to a piece of writing or speech.Apollo
: Apollo was one of the most important gods in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. He was associated with music, poetry, prophecy, and healing.Cassandra
: In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a princess of Troy who was cursed by Apollo to always speak the truth but never be believed.Fatalis Machina
: The term "fatalis machina" refers to a plot device in literature where an unstoppable force or machine is introduced, often leading to the downfall of characters. It represents an inevitable and tragic outcome that cannot be avoided.Laocoon
: Laocoon was a priest in Greek mythology who warned his fellow Trojans about accepting the wooden horse from the Greeks. His warning went unheeded, leading to disastrous consequences for Troy.Menelaus
: Menelaus was a legendary king of Sparta and one of the main characters in Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. He was married to Helen, whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War.Neptune
: Neptune is the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun in our solar system. It is a gas giant, similar to its neighbor Uranus, and is known for its beautiful blue color.Pallas Minerva
: Pallas Minerva is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Athena, who is known as the goddess of wisdom, courage, and strategic warfare.Polysyndeton
: Polysyndeton is a rhetorical device where conjunctions (such as 'and', 'or', 'but') are used repeatedly in quick succession for artistic effect. It creates an intense and dramatic tone.Reading and Comprehension
: The ability to understand and interpret written texts in a foreign language. It involves not only decoding the words but also grasping the meaning and context.Sacra Canunt
: Sacra canunt is Latin for "sacred songs." In ancient Roman religion, it refers to hymns or chants sung during religious rituals and ceremonies as offerings to the gods.Tenedos
: Tenedos is a small island located near Troy in ancient Greece. It played a significant role during the Trojan War as it served as a base for both Greek and Trojan forces.Textual Analysis
: Textual analysis is the process of examining a written work, such as a poem or a passage from a novel, to understand its meaning and literary devices used by the author. It involves closely reading and interpreting the text to uncover deeper layers of meaning.Translation
: Converting written or spoken words from one language into another, while maintaining accuracy and conveying the intended meaning.Tritonis, Tritonidis
: In Roman mythology, Tritonis (also known as Tritonidis) was a nymph who was the daughter of the sea god Triton. She is often associated with bodies of water and is depicted as a beautiful and enchanting figure.Trojan horse
: The Trojan horse refers to a deceptive strategy used by the Greeks during the Trojan War. It was a large wooden horse that concealed Greek soldiers inside, allowing them to enter and conquer the city of Troy.Vergil
: Vergil, also known as Virgil, was an ancient Roman poet who wrote epic poems such as "The Aeneid." He is considered one of Rome's greatest poets and his works often explore themes related to Roman history, mythology, and heroism.7 min read•march 6, 2023
Mick Polito
Jack Marso
Mick Polito
Jack Marso
Vergil continues Book 2 by moving on from Sinon, who just completed his eerie speech of his experience as a Greek sacrifice and how under the assistance of Pallas Minerva and the Trojan horse, if brought into the city, would spark a war. The attention is now focused back on Laocoon, the Trojan Priest.
We'll help you review these lines both in English and Latin, so let's get started!
Before we dive into breaking down the Latin lines into text we can more clearly comprehend, we will answer some questions based on the designated skill categories! The skill categories for these lines are Reading and Comprehension, Translation and Textual Analysis so be aware of that when you answer these questions and read these lines.
ille simul manibus tendit divellere nodos
perfusus sanie vittas atroque veneno,
clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit:
qualis mugitus, fugit cum saucius aram
taurus et incertam excussit cervice securim.
at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones
effugiunt saevaeque petunt Tritonidis arcem,
sub pedibusque deae clipeique sub orbe teguntur.
Try to answer these questions either on paper, a device, or in your head. Then, review the answers by reading below and referring back to the Latin text above.
accingunt omnes operi pedibusque rotarum
subiciunt lapsus, et stuppea vincula collo
intendunt ; scandit fatalis machina muros,
feta armis. pueri circum innuptaeque puellae
sacra canunt funemque manu contingere gaudent;
illa subit mediaeque minans inlabitur urbi
Translate these lines as literally as possible on your own, then check it with the translation below and revise (if necessary).
Everyone girds for the tasks and they arrange the wheels allowing motion under its foundation, and extend hemp ropes around its neck. That motor of fate ascends our walls pregnant with weapons. All over boys, and virgin girls, sing sacred songs, and rejoice to touch the ropes with their hands: Up it sails and passes threateningly into the midst of the city.
Remember if you have different wording than we did, that’s perfectly acceptable! Just make sure the words used have the same meaning attached to them.
Laocoon with his sons becomes intertwined among the twin serpents. Image Courtesy of the Munich Digitization Center
The wooden horse is entering the city of Troy. Image Courtesy of Artmajeur
Now, we'll be moving on to lines 269-297, so follow along as we continue to review!
Aeneas
: Aeneas was a Trojan hero and the protagonist of Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid. He is known for his journey from Troy to Italy, where he eventually becomes the founder of Rome.Agamemnon
: Agamemnon was a legendary king of Mycenae and the leader of the Greek forces in the Trojan War. He is known for his role in the epic poem, "The Iliad," written by Homer.Alliteration
: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a series of words or phrases. It adds emphasis and rhythm to a piece of writing or speech.Apollo
: Apollo was one of the most important gods in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. He was associated with music, poetry, prophecy, and healing.Cassandra
: In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a princess of Troy who was cursed by Apollo to always speak the truth but never be believed.Fatalis Machina
: The term "fatalis machina" refers to a plot device in literature where an unstoppable force or machine is introduced, often leading to the downfall of characters. It represents an inevitable and tragic outcome that cannot be avoided.Laocoon
: Laocoon was a priest in Greek mythology who warned his fellow Trojans about accepting the wooden horse from the Greeks. His warning went unheeded, leading to disastrous consequences for Troy.Menelaus
: Menelaus was a legendary king of Sparta and one of the main characters in Homer's epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey. He was married to Helen, whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War.Neptune
: Neptune is the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun in our solar system. It is a gas giant, similar to its neighbor Uranus, and is known for its beautiful blue color.Pallas Minerva
: Pallas Minerva is the Roman name for the Greek goddess Athena, who is known as the goddess of wisdom, courage, and strategic warfare.Polysyndeton
: Polysyndeton is a rhetorical device where conjunctions (such as 'and', 'or', 'but') are used repeatedly in quick succession for artistic effect. It creates an intense and dramatic tone.Reading and Comprehension
: The ability to understand and interpret written texts in a foreign language. It involves not only decoding the words but also grasping the meaning and context.Sacra Canunt
: Sacra canunt is Latin for "sacred songs." In ancient Roman religion, it refers to hymns or chants sung during religious rituals and ceremonies as offerings to the gods.Tenedos
: Tenedos is a small island located near Troy in ancient Greece. It played a significant role during the Trojan War as it served as a base for both Greek and Trojan forces.Textual Analysis
: Textual analysis is the process of examining a written work, such as a poem or a passage from a novel, to understand its meaning and literary devices used by the author. It involves closely reading and interpreting the text to uncover deeper layers of meaning.Translation
: Converting written or spoken words from one language into another, while maintaining accuracy and conveying the intended meaning.Tritonis, Tritonidis
: In Roman mythology, Tritonis (also known as Tritonidis) was a nymph who was the daughter of the sea god Triton. She is often associated with bodies of water and is depicted as a beautiful and enchanting figure.Trojan horse
: The Trojan horse refers to a deceptive strategy used by the Greeks during the Trojan War. It was a large wooden horse that concealed Greek soldiers inside, allowing them to enter and conquer the city of Troy.Vergil
: Vergil, also known as Virgil, was an ancient Roman poet who wrote epic poems such as "The Aeneid." He is considered one of Rome's greatest poets and his works often explore themes related to Roman history, mythology, and heroism.© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
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