Glossary
Achilles
The greatest Greek warrior in Homer's Iliad, known for his immense strength and rage. His actions are central to the Greek victory in the Trojan War. [1]
Example:
Hector's appearance in the Aeneid, bearing wounds, starkly contrasts with his former glory as the warrior who faced Achilles. [38]
Aeneid
A Latin epic poem by Vergil, telling the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero, who flees the fall of Troy to found a new homeland in Italy, becoming the ancestor of the Romans. It is a foundational text for Roman identity and values. [1, 2]
Example:
Students often analyze how Vergil uses the Aeneid to connect the legendary past of Troy with the historical founding of Rome under Augustus. [1, 2]
Allusion
An indirect or direct reference to another work of literature, person, event, or historical context. Vergil frequently uses allusions to the Iliad and Odyssey to enrich the Aeneid's narrative. [2, 17, 28]
Example:
The mention of Hector's previous triumphs, like donning Achilles' armor, is a clear allusion to events in the Iliad. [17, 28]
Dactyl
A metrical foot consisting of one long syllable followed by two short syllables (– ᴗ ᴗ). It is a fundamental component of dactylic hexameter, the meter of the Aeneid. [6, 29]
Example:
The rapid rhythm of a line can often be attributed to a high number of dactyls, creating a sense of urgency or movement. [6, 29]
Divine Intervention
The active involvement of gods and goddesses in human affairs, often influencing events, guiding characters, or creating obstacles. This is a prominent feature throughout the Aeneid. [2, 3, 4, 7]
Example:
Juno's relentless opposition to Aeneas's journey is a prime example of divine intervention shaping the epic's plot. [3, 4]
Fate (Fatum)
An overarching theme in the Aeneid, representing the predetermined destiny or divine will that guides Aeneas's journey and the founding of Rome. Characters may resist, but ultimately cannot escape, their fate. [2, 7, 10, 15]
Example:
Despite numerous obstacles and personal desires, Aeneas consistently prioritizes his fate to establish the Roman race in Italy. [2, 10, 15]
Hector's Ghost
The apparition of the deceased Trojan hero Hector, who appears to Aeneas in a dream during the sack of Troy. He warns Aeneas of the city's impending doom and urges him to flee and establish a new city. [7]
Example:
Hector's Ghost serves as a pivotal moment, shifting Aeneas's focus from fighting a losing battle to fulfilling his destiny.
Hero's Journey
An archetypal narrative pattern found in many epic stories, involving a protagonist who leaves their ordinary world, undergoes trials, and returns transformed. Aeneas's travels embody this pattern. [2]
Example:
Aeneas's escape from Troy, his wanderings, and his eventual arrival in Italy perfectly illustrate the stages of the hero's journey. [1]
Iliad
An ancient Greek epic poem by Homer, which recounts a portion of the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of Achilles. It serves as a significant literary predecessor and source of allusions for Vergil's Aeneid. [1, 28]
Example:
Many characters and events in the Aeneid, such as Achilles and the Trojan War, are direct allusions to Homer's Iliad. [1, 28, 38]
Imagery
The use of vivid and descriptive language to create mental pictures and sensory experiences for the reader. Vergil employs rich imagery to convey emotions and settings. [12, 33]
Example:
Vergil's powerful imagery of the burning city of Troy helps readers visualize the chaos and destruction. [33]
Nate dea
A Latin phrase meaning 'son of a goddess,' used as an epithet for Aeneas, highlighting his divine lineage through his mother, Venus. [23, 24, 34]
Example:
Hector addresses Aeneas as 'nate dea', emphasizing his special status and the divine mandate for his mission. [24, 34]
Pathos
A literary device that evokes emotions such as pity, sympathy, or sorrow in the audience or reader. Vergil often uses vivid imagery and descriptions to create pathos for his characters. [12, 37]
Example:
The description of Hector's mutilated body is a powerful use of pathos, designed to elicit grief and sympathy from the reader. [12, 25]
Pergama
Refers to the citadel or fortress of Troy, often used synonymously with the city of Troy itself. It symbolizes the heart of the city and its ultimate fall. [9, 18, 22]
Example:
Hector warns Aeneas that Troy, or Pergama, is falling from its lofty height, signifying the complete destruction of the city. [9, 18, 22]
Piety (Pietas)
A core Roman virtue embodying dutiful respect and devotion towards the gods, one's family, and one's country. Aeneas is often called 'pious Aeneas' due to his consistent demonstration of this virtue. [1, 2, 5, 8, 13, 16]
Example:
Aeneas carrying his father Anchises and the household gods from burning Troy exemplifies his profound piety. [5, 13, 16]
Scansion
The analysis of poetic meter, involving the marking of long and short syllables in lines of verse to determine their rhythmic pattern. It is crucial for understanding the sound and structure of Latin poetry. [6, 27]
Example:
During the exam, you might be asked to perform scansion on a line from the Aeneid, identifying its dactyls and spondees. [6, 27]
Spondee
A metrical foot consisting of two long syllables (– –). Spondees often create a slower, more deliberate pace in dactylic hexameter, contrasting with the faster dactyls. [6, 29, 32]
Example:
Vergil frequently uses a spondee at the end of a line to provide a sense of finality or weight. [6, 29]
Trojan Horse
A large wooden horse used by the Greeks to infiltrate the city of Troy during the Trojan War. Greek soldiers hid inside, allowing them to open the city gates from within and conquer Troy. [45]
Example:
The deception of the Trojan Horse is a classic example of cunning strategy in ancient warfare, leading directly to Troy's downfall.
Trojan War
A legendary conflict between the Achaeans (Greeks) and the city of Troy, sparked by the abduction of Helen by Paris. Its aftermath, particularly the fall of Troy, is the starting point for Aeneas's journey. [1, 2]
Example:
The devastation of the Trojan War forces Aeneas to embark on his fated quest to establish a new civilization. [1]