Vergil, Aeneid, Book 2, Lines 268–297

#Aeneid Book 2: Lines 268-297 - The Night of Troy's Fall 🌃

Welcome, future AP Latin champion! Let's make sure you're ready to ace this exam. We're diving into a crucial section of the Aeneid where Troy falls and Aeneas gets his marching orders. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the exam. Let's get started!

This section is HUGE for understanding Aeneas's motivations and the overall themes of the Aeneid. Pay close attention to the interplay between fate, divine intervention, and human action. It's a goldmine for both multiple-choice and free-response questions.

#Overview: The Trojan Horse Deception

• The Trojans, thinking the war is over, celebrate the arrival of the Trojan Horse. 🐴
• Under the cover of night, the Greeks emerge from the horse and begin their attack. 🔥
• Aeneas, asleep, is visited by the ghost of Hector, who warns him of the city's impending doom. 👻

#Key Passages and Analysis

#Lines 274-279: Hector's Ghostly Appearance

ei mihi, qualis erat, quantum mutatus ab illo Hectore qui redit exuvias indutus Achilli vel Danaum Phrygios iaculatus puppibus ignes! squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crines vulneraque illa gerens, quae circum plurima muros accepit patrios

1. Scansion Practice:

   • ei mihi, qualis erat, quantum mutatus ab illo
   • _ ̆ ̆ | _ ̆ ̆ | _ _ | _ _ | _ ̆ ̆ | _ _

2. Hector's Previous Appearance: Hector is a major character in Homer's Iliad. 📚

3. Sides of the Trojan War: Hector was a Trojan prince and their greatest warrior; Achilles was the greatest Greek warrior. ⚔️

   • Hector: Trojan
   • Achilles: Greek

4. Scansion Practice:

   • squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crines
   • _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ _ | _ ̆ ̆ | _ _

5. Scansion Practice:

   • vulneraque illa gerens, quae circum plurima muros
   • _ ̆ ̆ | _ ̆ ̆ | _ _ | _ _ | _ ̆ ̆ | _ _

#Lines 287-292: Hector's Warning

ille nihil, nec me quaerentem vana moratur, sed graviter gemitus imo de pectore ducens, heu fuge, nate dea, teque his' ait 'eripe flammis. hostis habet muros; ruit alto a culmine Troia. sat patriae Priamoque datum: si Pergama dextra defendi possent, etiam hac defensa fuissent.

Literal Translation:

He (Hector) does not answer, nor does he delay on my idle questions, but heaving deep sighs from the bottoms of his heart, he says: “Ah! Son of the goddess, soar, remove yourself from these flames. The enemy has overcome the walls: Troy cascades from her lofty location. Enough has been granted to Priam and your country: if Pergama could be rescued by any right hand, it would have been rescued from this.

#Detailed Breakdown 🔎

• The Deception: The Trojans celebrate, unaware of the danger lurking inside the horse. The night, initially a welcome respite, becomes a time of treachery.

• Hector's Appearance: Aeneas sees the ghost of Hector, not as the glorious warrior, but as a broken, bloodied figure. The contrast with his former glory is striking. 💔

  Achilles, after killing Hector, dragging his body with his two-horsed chariot.

• Allusions to the Iliad: Vergil references Hector's donning of Achilles' armor and his attack on the Greek ships, reminding us of his former might. These allusions add depth to the tragedy of Troy's fall. 💡

• Aeneas's Confusion: Aeneas is bewildered by Hector's appearance and doesn't immediately understand that Hector is dead. He sees the wounds but is still in disbelief.

• Hector's Warning: Hector doesn't waste time with pleasantries. He tells Aeneas to flee, emphasizing the hopelessness of Troy's situation. He acknowledges Aeneas's divine heritage as the son of Venus.

  The ghost of Hector appears to Aeneas lying on the bed and informs him to flee the city amid the Greeks ravaging Troy.

• The Fall of Troy: Hector's words paint a vivid picture of Troy's destruction. He stresses that even if Troy could have been saved, it is now too late. This highlights the theme of fate and the futility of resistance. 🏛️

• Entrustment: Hector entrusts the sacred rites and deities of Troy to Aeneas, emphasizing his destiny to found Rome. This sets the stage for the rest of the Aeneid. 🔥

#Final Exam Focus

• Key Themes: Fate, divine intervention, the fall of a great city, the hero's journey.
• Character Analysis: Pay attention to Aeneas's reactions and Hector's role as a messenger.
• Literary Devices: Allusions to the Iliad, vivid imagery, pathos.
• Translation Skills: Be prepared to translate key lines and understand their significance.

#Practice Questions

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. In lines 274-279, what is the primary emotion conveyed by Aeneas when he sees Hector's ghost? a) Anger b) Fear c) Confusion and grief d) Joy

2. What does Hector urge Aeneas to do in lines 287-292? a) Fight the Greeks b) Seek revenge c) Flee the city d) Negotiate peace

3. The phrase "nate dea" in line 289 is significant because it: a) Emphasizes Hector's divine lineage. b) Reminds Aeneas of his divine mother, Venus. c) Highlights the futility of human efforts. d) Shows Hector's respect for the gods.

Free Response Question:

Analyze the significance of Hector's appearance to Aeneas in lines 268-297. In your response, consider the following:

• How does Vergil use imagery and allusions to convey Hector's state?
• What is the purpose of Hector's warning to Aeneas?
• How does this passage contribute to the overall themes of the Aeneid?

Scoring Breakdown (FRQ):

• Imagery and Allusions (3 points):
  • 1 point for identifying specific images (e.g., "squalentem barbam et concretos sanguine crines")
  • 1 point for explaining the effect of these images on the reader.
  • 1 point for explaining the allusions to the Iliad and their significance.
• Purpose of Hector's Warning (3 points):
  • 1 point for stating that Hector warns Aeneas to flee.
  • 1 point for explaining why Hector tells Aeneas to flee (e.g., Troy is doomed).
  • 1 point for explaining how this warning sets up Aeneas's journey.
• Themes of the Aeneid (3 points):
  • 1 point for identifying a relevant theme (e.g., fate, piety, the fall of a city).
  • 1 point for explaining how this passage illustrates the theme.
  • 1 point for explaining the broader significance of this passage in the Aeneid.

Total: 9 points

#Last-Minute Tips

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any single question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
• Rubric Awareness: Know what the graders are looking for. Focus on providing specific textual evidence and clear analysis.
• Stay Calm: You've got this! Take deep breaths, trust your preparation, and remember that you're well-equipped to succeed.

Good luck, and may the gods be with you! You're going to do great! 💪