Aeneid Book 1

urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,

urbs antiqua fuit, Tyrii tenuere coloni,

There was an ancient city, which the Tyrian colonists occupied,

Karthago, Italiam contra Tiberinaque longe

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Carthage, it was opposite Italy and far off from the mouths of the river Tiber,

• delays Carthage to start of second line- building suspense; emphasises its importance and prominence to Juno

ostia, dives opum studiisque asperrima belli;

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it was rich in wealth and most fierce in war's pursuits;

• “asperrima” (most fierce) is superlative

15 quam Iuno fertur terris magis omnibus unam

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this place alone Juno is said to have favoured* more than all other lands

• contrast between “terris … omnibus” (all other lands) and “unam” (this place alone) shows Carthage’s special status for Juno

posthabita coluisse* Samo; hic illius arma,

with Samos itself less valued; here was the weaponry of that goddess,

• Samos was one of Juno’s favoured places

hic currus fuit; hoc regnum dea gentibus esse,

here was her chariot; this was the seat of power among nations, the goddess

si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque.

#

if somehow the fates would permit, even then both strove for and cherished.

• “tenditque fovetque” (both strove for and cherished) - the use of the -que -que emphasises the extent to which she loves and cherishes Carthage.

progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci

But since she had heard* that a race was being drawn from Trojan blood,

20 audierat*, Tyrias olim quae verteret arces;

that would one day overturn the Tyrian towers;

hinc populum late regem belloque superbum

that from this [race] a people who were kings far and wide and proud in war

venturum excidio Libyae: sic volvere Parcas.

would come forth to Libya's ruin: as the Fates were unfolding.

id metuens veterisque memor Saturnia belli,

The daughter of Saturn, fearing this and mindful of the old war;

prima quod ad Troiam pro caris gesserat Argis-

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which she had first waged at Troy for her beloved Argives -

• Use of hyperbaton by placing Argives at the end, instead of a verb. Suggests that the thought of the Argives lingers in Juno’s mind, demonstrating her care and commitment for them.

• Also draws attention to out of place “gesserat” - highlights the extent to which Juno would go for the Argives, going as far as to wage war for them

25 necdum etiam causae irarum saevique dolores

nor yet also had the reasons for her anger and her bitter sorrows

exciderant animo; manet =alta mente= repostum

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faded from her mind; fixed =deep in her heart= remained

• “manet alta mente repostum …” (fixed deep in her heart remained) - repetition of the “m” sound creates a sense of Juno’s mournfulness

iudicium Paridis spretaeque iniuria formae

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the judgement of Paris and the insult of her scorned beauty

• harsh diction shows the bitterness of her hatred for Paris and the Trojans

et genus invisum et rapti Ganymedis honores.

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and the hated race, and the honours of the stolen Ganymede.

• “spretaeque iniuria formae / et genus invisum et rapti Ganymedis honores” (and the insult of her scorned beauty / and the hated race, and the honours of the stolen Ganymede) use of polysyndeton highlights the multitude of grievances Juno has.

his accensa super, iactatos aequore toto

Inflamed further by these, [she kept back], storm-tossed on the wide sea

30 Troas, reliquias Danaum atque immitis Achilli,

the Trojans, the survivors of the Greeks and the merciless Achilles,

arcebat longe Latio, multosque per annos

she kept them back far away from Latium, and for many years

errabant acti fatis maria omnia circum.

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they wandered driven by the fates, around all the oceans.

• “errabant acti fatis” - purposelessness of wandering Trojans (PPP emphasises this) juxtaposed with the power of the fates

tantae molis erat Romanam condere gentem.

##C

so great was the effort to found the Roman race.

• The brevity of the single-line sentences emphasises the finality of what the fates decree

• CONTEXT: Virgil’s attempt to glorify … ? pride and optimism in the future of the Romans

vix e conspectu Siculae telluris, in altum

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Scarcely out of sight of the Sicilian land, into the deep

• Shift in tone; the “laeti” Trojans “ruebant” through the sea contrasts with how Juno was “arcebat” (trying to keep them back

• Enjambement into next line creates a sense of dynamism and movement; emphasises how the Trojans are finally moving

35 vela dabant laeti et spumas salis =aere= ruebant,

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the joyful [Trojans] were spreading their sails, and rushing through the foam of the salt-sea =with their bronze prow=,

• “spumas salis” - use of sibilance mirrors the sound of the rushing waves, creating vivid and engaging imagery

cum Iuno, aeternum servans sub pectore vulnus,

when Juno, nursing an everlasting wound within her heart,

haec secum: “mene incepto desistere victam,

spoke these [words] to herself: “Am I, defeated, to cease from what I began,

nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem?

and is it not possible to turn away the king of the Trojans away from Italy?

quippe vetor fatis. Pallasne exurere classem

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In fact, I am forbidden by the fates. Was Pallas able* to burn up the fleet

• “quippe vetor fatis” - short sentence emphasises the finality of what the fates have decreed; and the futility of Juno’s efforts

• “Pallasne …?” - rhetorical question indicative of her disbelief and indignation

40 Argivium atque ipsos potuit* summergere ponto

of the Argives and to sink them below the sea

unius ob noxam et furias Aiacis Oilei?

on account of the guilt of one man and the madness of Ajax son of Oileus?

• emphasis on “unius” (one man)

ipsa Iovis rapidum iaculata e nubibus ignem

#

She herself, having hurled from the clouds the swift flame of Jupiter

• “ipsa Iovis” - Pallas and Jupiter placed closely to each other; reflective of the closeness between them that Juno perceives; jealousy that he would allow Athene but not herself

disiecitque rates evertique aequora ventis,

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both scattered their ships and overturned the seas with gales,

• Use of polysyndeton and violent verbs highlights the extent of things that Jupiter allow Athene to get away with; emphasises Juno’s perceived injustice

illum exspirantem transfixo pectore flammas

and that man [Ajax], as he breathed forth flames with his chest pierced through,

45 turbine corripuit scopuloque infixit acuto;

she seized with a whirlwind and impaled on a sharp rock.

ast ego, quae divum incedo regina Iovisque*

But I, who proceed as queen of the gods, and

et soror et coniunx, una cum gente tot annos

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as both the sister and wife of Jupiter*, have waged wars** with a single people for so many years.

• polysyndeton highlights all her connections to Jupiter, and hence her power; dismay that despite this she cannot defeat Trojans

• contrast between “una” and “toto”; how can she be unable to defeat a single race of people even after so many years of war?

bella gero**. et quisquam numen Iunonis adorat

And does anyone still worship the divinity of Juno

praeterea aut =supplex= aris imponent honorem?

#

or furthermore lay down a sacrifice as a =suppliant= on my altars?

• By placing accusative “honorem” at end of line instead of verb emphasises it; shows her lingering thought is the concern that no one will leave sacrifices

50 talia flammato secum dea corde volutans

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Considering such [thoughts] with herself in her inflamed heart, the goddess

• “volutans” —> present participle creates the effect that she is still continually considering these thoughts

nimborum in patriam, loca feta furentibus Austris,

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went to Aeolia* into the homeland of storm clouds, to places brimming with raging winds.

• alliterative repetition of “f” sounds mirrors the sound of the furious wind, creating a vivid and engaging image

Aeoliam venit*. hic vasto rex Aeolus antro

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Here in his vast cave, their king Aeolus

• Aeolus placed centrally, indicating that he is the figure of authority in Aeolia

luctantes ventos tempestatesque sonoras

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subdues* the struggling gales and roaring storms

• pathetic fallacy mirrors Juno’s anger

• contrast with the strength of the winds and how Aeolus “premit” them; this juxtaposition highlights the power and strength of Aeolus

imperio premit ac vinclis et carcere frenat.

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with his power and reins them in with his chains and imprisonment.

• placement of “imperio” at the start of the line highlights Aeolus’ power

55 illi indignantes magno cum murmure montis

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Those [winds] straining resentfully with a mighty groan of the mountainside

• alliterative repetition of the ‘m’ sound in “magno cum murmure montis” creates a vivid auditory impression of the groan of the mountainside. This emphasises …

circum claustra fremunt; celsa sedet Aeolus arce

roar around the barriers; in his lofty citadel Aeolus sits

sceptra tenens mollitque animos et temperat iras.

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holding his sceptre, and soothes their spirits and softens their rages.

• Use of polysyndeton emphasises ….

ni faciat, maria ac terras caelumque profundum

If he did not do this, they would certainly* bear off** the seas and lands and highest heaven

quippe* ferant** rapidi secum verrantque per auras.

and sweep these rapidly with them through the air.

60 sed pater omnipotens speluncis abdidit atris

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But the all-powerful father, fearing this*, hid them within dark caves,

• “speluncis abdidit atris” —> enclosing word order reflects how Jupiter has to hide the winds away in the “dark caves”, emphasising their power and difficulty to control

hoc metuens* molemque et montes insuper altos

and piled up** over them a [great] weight and tall mountains,

imposuit**, regemque dedit qui =foedere= certo

#

and gave them a king, who by a sure =covenant=

• enjambement means “imposuit” (—> piled up) is promoted to an emphatic position at the start of a line, highlighting how such an enormous and effortful act is required to supress the winds

et premere et laxas sciret dare iussus habenas.

would know both how to restrain and to give slack to the reins at his command.

ad quem tum Iuno supplex his vocibus usa est:

To whom Juno now as a suppliant appealed with these words:

“Aeole, namque tibi divum pater atque hominum rex

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“Aeolus, for it was to you that the father of the gods and the king of humankind

• Juno addresses Aeolus individually by name (apostrophe) to strike a personal tone to her request, rather than instructing him as queen of the gods, she appeals to his connection with her and Jupiter, taking on the role of “supplex” —> suppliant to indicate that his help will be greatly appreciated

• “Tibi” emphasises Aeolus’ control over the winds and the trust given to him. He is made to feel special and singled out for privileged treatment through the contrast between “tibi” —> to you and the rest of the world "- “divum pater atque hominum rex” —> father of the gods and king of humanking

et mulcere dedit fluctus et tollere vento

gave both [the power] to ease and to lift up the waves with the wind,

gens inimica mihi Tyrrhenum navigat aequor

a people hateful to me are sailing over the Tyrrhenian sea,

Ilium in Italiam portans victosque Penates:

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carrying Illium and the conquered Penates into Italy:

• Juno emphasises the injustice that the “victosque Penates” —> conquered Penates are being carried into Italy as she speaks (portans as present participle) to urge Aeolus to act

incute vim ventis submerasque obrue puppes,

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Hurl violence upon them with your winds and flood their engulfed ships

• Juno’s use of imperatives (“incute” —> hurl and “obrue” —> flood) enhances Aeolus’ awareness of her command over him as queen of the Gods

• Harsh diction shows Juno’s rising desperation and the violence of the actions she wishes to inflict upon the Trojans

70 aut age diversos et dissice corpora ponto.

or drive the men apart and scatter their bodies on the deep.

sunt mihi bis septem praestanti corpore Nymphae,

I have twice seven (14) nymphs of outstanding physique,

quarum quae forma pulcherrima Deiopea,

from among whom Deiopea, the one who has the most beautiful form,

conubio iungam stabili propriamque dicabo,

I shall join to you in enduring marriage and I shall dedicate her as uniquely yours,

omnes ut tecum meritis pro talibus annos

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so that in exchange for such services she may live out* all her fated years with you,

• enclosing word order “omens … annos” emphasises the fact that Juno will offer Deiopa to Aeolus for forever, highlighting the magnitude of the reward she is willing to give Aeolus in exchange for his help

75 exigat*, et pulchra faciat te prole parentem.

and make you a parent to fair offspring.

Aeolus haec contra: “tuus, o regina, quid optes”**

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Aeolus answered with these words: “O queen, your task* is to

• Emphatic placement of “optes” at the end of the line emphasises Aeolus’ willingness to do whatever Juno desires

explorare labor*; mihi iussa capessere fas est.

seek out what you desire**; it is right for me to eagerly undertake your orders.

tu mihi quodcumque hoc regni, tu sceptra Iovemque

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You grant* to me, whatever there is of this kingdom, you grant* me this sceptre and Jove’s [authority],

• Aeolus’ anaphoric repetition of the word “tu”, referencing Juno, demonstrates of how high an importance he views Juno / emphasises his personal gratitude, claiming that he owes his power to her / his flattery of Juno

concilias*, tu das epulis accumbere divum,

you allow me to recline at the feasts of the gods,

80 nimborumque facis tempestatumque potentem.”

and you create my power over both clouds and storms.

haec ubi dicta, cavum conversa cuspide montem

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When he had spoken these words, having turned his spear towards the hollow mountain

• harsh diction of repeated “c” sound

impulit in latus; ac venti velut agmine facto,

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he hurled it into its side: and the winds, just like an assembled column of soldiers,

• hyperbaton - emphatic placement of impulit at the beginning of the line

=qua= data porta, ruunt et terras turbine perflant.

by =whichever= passage is given, rush forth and blast (/blow through) the lands with a cyclone.

incubuere mari totumque a sedibus imis

They fell down upon the sea, and from its lowermost depths (overturn it completely?) SOMEONE HELP WITH THIS LINE

85 una Eurusque Notusque ruunt creberque procellis

together both the East and South winds rush down and the Southwestern thick with whirlwinds, SOMEONE HELP WITH THIS LINE

Africus, et vastos volvunt ad litora fluctus.

and they roll vast surges towards the shores.

insequitur clamorque virum stridorque rudentum.

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There follows both the shouting of men and the creaking of ropes.

• Brevity of sentence

eripiunt subito nubes caelumque diemque

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Suddenly clouds snatch away both the sky and the daylight

• Hyperbaton - emphatic placement of “eripiunt” at the beginning of the line

• Use of the historic present

Teucrorum ex oculis; ponto nox incubat atra.

from the eyes of the Trojans; dark night settles down upon the deep.

90 intonuere poli, et crebris micat ignibus aether

The poles thundered, and the atmosphere lights up with frequent flashes,

praesentemque viris intentant omnia mortem.

and all [things] threaten instant death for the men.

extemplo Aeneae solvuntur frigore membra;

At once Aeneas’ limbs weaken with chilling fear;

ingemit et duplices tendens ad sidera palmas

he groans, and stretching both his palms upwards to the stars

talia voce refert: “o terque quaterque beati,

he calls out these such words with his voice: “O three and four times blessed ones,

95 quis ante ora patrum Troiae sub moenibus altis

who had the fate* to meet death** before their fathers’ eyes beneath the high walls of Troy!

contigit* oppetere**! o Danaum fortissime gentis