Glossary
Aeneas
The protagonist of Vergil's *Aeneid*, a Trojan hero who grapples with grief, anger, and his destined duty to found Rome.
Example:
Aeneas's internal conflict is evident when he considers killing Helen but is stopped by Venus, highlighting his struggle between rage and his ultimate duty.
Aeneas's Character Development
The evolution of Aeneas's personality, motivations, and understanding throughout the epic, often driven by divine will and personal experience.
Example:
From a grief-stricken warrior seeking vengeance, Aeneas's character development shifts towards a dutiful leader focused on his family and future destiny.
Case and Number
Grammatical properties of Latin nouns, pronouns, and adjectives that indicate their function in a sentence (case) and whether they are singular or plural (number).
Example:
Identifying the correct case and number of clara incendia helps determine that 'shining flames' is the subject of the verb dant.
Divine Intervention
The direct involvement of gods or goddesses in human affairs, a common literary device in epic poetry that shapes plot and character destiny.
Example:
Venus's appearance to Aeneas, revealing the gods' role in Troy's destruction, is a prime example of divine intervention redirecting the hero's path.
Helen
The infamous Spartan queen whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War, portrayed by Vergil as a treacherous figure.
Example:
Aeneas's rage at the fall of Troy is intensified by the sight of Helen, whom he blames for the city's destruction.
Iliad
Homer's epic poem recounting a significant portion of the Trojan War, focusing on the wrath of Achilles.
Example:
Unlike Vergil's portrayal, Homer's Iliad often presents Helen as a more sympathetic figure, caught between loyalties.
Oath of Tyndareus
An oath sworn by the Greek kings to defend Helen's chosen husband, Menelaus, which bound them to participate in the Trojan War after her abduction.
Example:
The Oath of Tyndareus ensured that all the prominent Greek leaders would rally to Menelaus's cause when Helen was taken.
Odyssey
Homer's epic poem detailing the ten-year journey home of the Greek hero Odysseus after the fall of Troy.
Example:
While the Iliad covers the war itself, the Odyssey explores the arduous return journeys of the Greek heroes.
Revenge vs. Duty
A central thematic conflict in the *Aeneid*, particularly for Aeneas, who must choose between personal vengeance and his fated responsibility to found a new city.
Example:
Aeneas's desire to kill Helen exemplifies the theme of revenge vs. duty, as he struggles between personal rage and his higher calling.
Temple of Vesta
A circular temple in Rome dedicated to Vesta, goddess of the hearth, where the sacred fire was kept by the Vestal Virgins.
Example:
Helen seeks refuge in the Temple of Vesta amidst the chaos of Troy's fall, a place of sanctuary.
The Gods (Divine Involvement)
The Olympian deities who actively influence human events in the *Aeneid*, often determining the fate of mortals and nations.
Example:
The destruction of Troy is not merely human conflict but a result of the gods' will, with figures like Juno and Minerva playing active roles.
Translation Skills
The ability to accurately render Latin text into another language, requiring knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
Example:
Mastering translation skills is essential for the AP Latin exam, especially when tackling complex passages like Aeneid Book 2.
Trojan War
The legendary conflict between the Achaeans (Greeks) and the city of Troy, sparked by Helen's abduction, which forms the backdrop for the *Aeneid*'s opening books.
Example:
The Aeneid begins in the chaotic final moments of the Trojan War, as Aeneas witnesses the destruction of his homeland.
Venus
Aeneas's divine mother, the goddess of love and beauty, who frequently intervenes to guide and protect him on his journey.
Example:
When Aeneas is about to act on his rage, Venus appears to him, revealing the true divine forces behind Troy's fall and redirecting his path.
Verb Tenses
Grammatical forms of Latin verbs that indicate the time an action occurs (e.g., present, past, future) and its aspect (e.g., completed, ongoing).
Example:
Understanding verb tenses helps distinguish between actions happening now, like dant ('give'), and actions that have already occurred.
Vestal Virgins
Six priestesses in ancient Rome who maintained the sacred fire of Vesta and took a 30-year vow of chastity, crucial for Rome's prosperity.
Example:
Aeneas encounters Helen hiding in the Temple of Vesta, a sacred space guarded by the Vestal Virgins.