Glossary
Aeneas
The Trojan hero, son of Venus, destined to found Rome. He struggles between his personal desires and his fated duty.
Example:
Despite his deep love for Dido, Aeneas ultimately chose to leave Carthage to fulfill his destiny in Italy.
Anna
Dido's devoted sister and confidante. She encourages Dido's love for Aeneas, unknowingly contributing to the tragic outcome.
Example:
Anna advised Dido to embrace her love for Aeneas, believing it would bring happiness and strengthen Carthage.
Dardanius nepos Veneris
A Latin phrase meaning 'Dardanian grandson of Venus,' referring to Ascanius, also known as Iulus, Aeneas's son.
Example:
The young Dardanius nepos Veneris rode bravely alongside his father during the hunt.
Dido
The powerful and tragic queen of Carthage, who falls deeply in love with Aeneas. Her abandonment by Aeneas leads to her despair and suicide.
Example:
Dido built a thriving city, but her passion for Aeneas became her ultimate undoing.
Divine Intervention
The active involvement of gods in human affairs, often manipulating events and influencing characters' decisions. This highlights the power of fate and limits human agency.
Example:
Juno's manipulation of the storm is a clear instance of divine intervention, directly impacting Dido and Aeneas's relationship.
Fama
The personification of Rumor in the Aeneid, depicted as a monstrous goddess with many eyes, ears, and tongues. She spreads gossip and news rapidly, often with destructive consequences.
Example:
Fama quickly carried the news of Dido and Aeneas's affair across the lands, igniting Iarbas's fury.
Fate vs. Free Will
A central thematic conflict exploring whether characters' actions are predetermined by divine will or if they have agency in their choices. In the Aeneid, fate often triumphs.
Example:
The tension between fate vs. free will is evident as Aeneas struggles with his personal desires versus his inescapable destiny to found Rome.
Iarbas
A rejected suitor of Dido and a powerful African king. His prayer to Jupiter, fueled by jealousy and anger, prompts divine intervention against Aeneas.
Example:
Iarbas felt deeply insulted by Dido's rejection and her relationship with Aeneas, leading him to appeal to the gods.
Juno
Queen of the gods and Aeneas's primary divine antagonist. She relentlessly opposes the Trojans due to her hatred for them and her favoritism towards Carthage.
Example:
Juno orchestrated the storm to force Aeneas and Dido into the cave, hoping to delay Aeneas's journey to Italy.
Jupiter
The king of the gods and ultimate authority in the Roman pantheon. He ensures that fate is fulfilled, even if he appears slow to act.
Example:
It was Jupiter who sent Mercury to remind Aeneas of his duty, ultimately compelling him to leave Dido.
Love and Duty
A recurring motif in the Aeneid, particularly in Book IV, where characters are forced to choose between personal affection and their responsibilities to a higher cause.
Example:
Aeneas's agonizing choice between his deep love and duty to his people forms the emotional core of Book IV.
Pietas
A core Roman virtue embodying duty, devotion, and loyalty to gods, family, and country. Aeneas is the embodiment of this ideal.
Example:
Aeneas's decision to leave Dido, despite his love, exemplifies his profound sense of pietas towards his destiny and his people.
Subjunctive Mood
A grammatical mood in Latin used to express possibility, desire, command, or uncertainty, rather than factual statements. It is crucial for understanding nuances in meaning.
Example:
Understanding the subjunctive mood is key to interpreting Dido's perception of her own worthiness in the phrase 'dignetur iungere'.
The Cave Scene
The pivotal moment during a hunt where Dido and Aeneas take shelter in a cave during a storm. Juno orchestrates this as a 'wedding,' marking a turning point in their relationship.
Example:
The dramatic storm and subsequent shelter in the cave scene served as a symbolic, albeit unofficial, marriage for Dido and Aeneas.
Venus
Goddess of love and beauty, and Aeneas's mother. She consistently aids Aeneas, prioritizing his safety and destiny over his romantic entanglements.
Example:
Venus often intervened to protect Aeneas, ensuring he stayed on course for his fated mission.
agggerat
A Latin present active indicative verb meaning 'piles up' or 'increases.' It describes the intensification of something, often emotions.
Example:
Fama's words only served to agggerat Iarbas's already burning anger.
commixta
A Latin adjective (ablative case) meaning 'mixed' or 'mingled.' It describes something combined with another element.
Example:
The storm arrived, commixta with sharp hail.
cupidine
A Latin noun (ablative case) meaning 'with desire' or 'with passion.' It refers to strong longing or lust.
Example:
They were said to be captured by shameful cupidine, neglecting their kingdoms.
diffundit
A Latin present active indicative verb meaning 'spreads' or 'scatters.' It describes the act of disseminating something widely.
Example:
The goddess diffundit these scandalous tales into the mouths of men.
dignetur
A Latin present subjunctive verb meaning 'deems worthy' or 'considers worthy.' It expresses a subjective judgment or perception.
Example:
Iarbas was enraged that Dido dignetur herself worthy to join with Aeneas.
foeda
A Latin adjective (nominative case) meaning 'shameful,' 'foul,' or 'disgraceful.' It describes something morally repugnant.
Example:
Fama, the foeda goddess, spread her rumors far and wide.
grandine
A Latin noun (ablative case) meaning 'with hail.' It refers to frozen precipitation.
Example:
The sudden downpour was accompanied by stinging grandine.
interea
A Latin adverb meaning 'meanwhile.' It is often used to transition between scenes or introduce simultaneous actions.
Example:
Interea, while Aeneas was enjoying Carthage, the gods were already plotting his departure.
iungere
A Latin present infinitive meaning 'to join' or 'to unite.' It often refers to forming a bond or connection.
Example:
Dido believed she was destined to iungere herself with Aeneas.
luxu
A Latin noun (ablative case) meaning 'in luxury' or 'with extravagance.' It describes a state of opulent living.
Example:
Iarbas accused Dido and Aeneas of spending the winter in luxu, forgetting their duties.
misceri
A present passive infinitive meaning 'to be mixed' or 'to be stirred.' It often describes a state of commotion or blending.
Example:
The sky began to misceri with a great roar, signaling the approaching storm.
murmure
A Latin noun (ablative case) meaning 'with a roar' or 'with a murmur.' It describes a low, continuous sound.
Example:
The storm approached with a deep murmure, foreshadowing the chaos to come.
nimbus
A Latin noun meaning 'storm cloud' or 'rain cloud.' It signifies an impending or active storm.
Example:
A dark nimbus quickly gathered, bringing hail and heavy rain.
pronuba Iuno
A Latin phrase meaning 'Juno of the Nuptials' or 'Juno the matron of honor.' It refers to Juno in her role as goddess of marriage.
Example:
In the cave, the storm served as the 'wedding' orchestrated by pronuba Iuno.
sanguine cretum
A Latin phrase (ablative case) meaning 'born from blood' or 'sprung from blood.' It indicates lineage or origin.
Example:
Rumor spread that Aeneas, sanguine cretum from Trojan royalty, had arrived in Carthage.