AP Latin (Period 2) Assignments

• Why does Caesar name two ambassadors (that is Nammeius and Verucloetius)? What is the rhetorical effect of such unnecessary details? Do we believe Caesar more or less when he mentions such concrete facts as the names of the ambassadors?  Why or why not?
  

• Caesar has already told us the Helvetii had two possible routes that they could have taken. When the Helvetii’s representatives state that they have no other route, does Caesar imply that the Helvetii are liars, especially after they utter this exaggeration immediately after stating that they will inflict no harm along the way? If so, why might Caesar have done this?
  

• Why was Cesar’s consent (voluntās) necessary?
  

• Does Vergil portray Aeneas as a statesman? Where? How does Aeneas’s performance (for example, before Dido, Evander, Latinus) compare to Caesar’s performance in this passage?
  

• Caesar recalls the history of the Roman people. Rome had experienced trouble from the Helvetii in the past. Do you think that this event from the relatively distant past should have been a factor in Caesar’s decision making? Please explain.
  

• In sharing his own thoughts, Caesar not only repeats a word he had previously attributed to Helvetian representatives (maleficium), but he also adds another (iniūria). Discuss the rhetorical effect of this word choice.
  

• Caesar lets his readers in on a secret that he keeps from the Helvetian ambassadors. What is that secret? What is the effect on Caesar’s readers of knowing more than the ambassadors? Would his readers have felt that Caesar was taking them into his confidence? If so, why might Caesar have done this?
  

• Caesar tricks the ambassadors into thinking that he might grant their request so that he can buy more time for getting his troops ready. Was this crafty statesmanship or immoral? Why?
  

Caesar English Book I Q’s

Chapter 11—after Caesar successfully wards off the Helvetians threat to his province, he learns that the Helvetii plan to march through non-Roman territory. He considers this a threat to Roman territory as well. Why? Explain with reference to Caesar’s text. (refer also to the nap on pg. 200).

Chapter 12—Caesar adds another reason for fighting against the Helvetii: a defeat suffered by the Romans in 107BC. What does this tell us about Roman historical memory?

Chapter 13—How sincere is the Helvetian offer to negotiate? They refer to their victory over the Roman army in 107BC. How might Roman readers have reacted to this comment?

Chapter 15—How does Ceasar minimize the losses he suffered?

Chapters 17-20 provide insight into the difficulties Caesar faced in hostile territory. Conspirators exsited even among his allies. What does this tell us about the difficulty of working with native collaborators when attempting to invade a foreign country? What picture emerges of Ceasar’s diplomatic skills?

  Chapters 21-26 Caesar decisively defeats the Helvetii. What qualities of leadership does Caesar display in these chapters? Explain and CITE evidence from the text of these chapters in your response.

Chapters 31-33,

• ·         Why have the Germans settled in Gaul?—explain.
  
• ·         Why do the Gallic tribes hire mercenary soldiers?
  
• ·         On what basis does Caesar determine that the Germans represent a threat to his province and the Roman people? –outline and asses his main points
  

Chpater 34—what might a Roman reader have thought of a Germanic chief’s refusal to negotiate with a proconsul of the Roman Republic? What does his refusal tell us about Ariovistus?

Chapter 36—asses Ariovistus’ argument. What are his main points? Are they unreasonable, why or why not?

Chapter 38—Why does Caesar break off negotiations? How does he begin to prepare for battle?

Chapter 40—Why do Caesar’s soldiers fear the Germans? How does Caesar restore order among his troops? Explain

Chapter 42—How does Caesar demonstrate his caution and foresight in the Parley w/ Ariovistus?

Chapters 43-46, the discussion between Ariovistus and Caesar provides evidence for two very different points of view over whose rights/demands should prevail in Gaul.

·         List Caesar’s best arguments for Roman rights in Gaul.

·         If you mediating the discussion whose favor would you have decided in and why?

Chapter 47—In your opinion was Procillus an ambassador or a spy? Explain.

Chapters 48-52—

• ·         asses the military strategies of Caesar, what advantages did he have?
  
• ·         Asses the strategies of Ariovistus, what advantages did he have? What mistakes did he make?
  

Chapter 53—how do you think Roman readers might have reacted to Caesar’s description of the fearsome Germans turning their backs? Explain

Chapter 54—where does Caesar establish his winter quarters? What does this imply about his intentions for het following year?

Vergil Book 4 Q’s

• ·         In lines 300-303, Dido is compared to a frenzied Bacchant as she hears the rumors about Aeneas’ impending departure. Does this simile arouse sympathy for her in Vergil’s reader? HOW? – give specific evidence from text.
  
• ·         Lines 305-330 discuss the range of emotions reflected in Dido’s speech, give specific references to wording/devices in text.
  
• ·         In lines 307-308 Dido speaks about herself in 3^rd person. What is the intended rhetorical effect?
  
• ·         In lines 336-361, Aeneas defends himself to Dido. Is this a convincing speech of self-defence? Does it allow us to feel sympathy for Aeneas; point of view? Use specific features of Aeneas’ speech to make your case.
  

• Vergil describes Aeneas' reaction to Mercury's speech as a combination of shock and terror (279-280) . What features of Mercury's speech and presentations are likely to have added to Aeneas' dreead? Please give specific examples from the actual text with lines numbers.
• In lines 281-286, Vergil vividly depicts Aeneas' inner turmoil. What figures of speech/rhetorical devices does Vergil use in this passage to help us understand Aeneas' emotional state of mind? Please give at least 2.
• In lines 288-294, Vergil lists the things Aeneas decides to do. How many activities are included? List them, and discuss the effect of listing them in the order provided by Vergil.
• For extra credit: Having read books 1, 2, and 4 in English, you have run into quite a few female characters who are rather, shall we say, stupid. Please choose 3 of said women (goddess are fair game too), compare and contrast them, and then decide which one is the worst. Give specific examples.

• In lines 260-264, Vergil describes Aeneas as Mercury sees him when he arrives in Carthage. What are we supposed to think of Aeneas' appearance? And how does his appearance complement the activities in which he is engaged?
• In lines 265-276 ("tu....debetur"), Mercury addresses Aeneas and gives him Jupiter's message. How closely does Mercury's speech represent what Jupiter had told him to say? And how similar is the tone of Mercury's speech to that of Jupiter?

• What qualities of leadership does Orgetorix display? Is he well-organized? Do you think hat Caesar presents Orgetorix's planning in a positive or negative light?
  
• What does it mean to be called a "friend" of the Roman people? The language of politics and diplomacy in Rome is highly personal. What is the difference between a "friend" and a "political ally"? 
• Aeneas was married in Troy, escapes marriage in Carthage, and consents to marriage in Latium . To what extent were these relationships emotional and personal as opposed to practical and political? What does this say about ancient morality in comparison with modern conceptions of romantic love?
• An important political term in Latin is the word imperium. From what VERB does it derive? How is it used in chapter 3?
• Pledging loyalty and swearing oaths are hallmarks of conspiracy. On the other hand, loyalty was a prized Roman virtue. When is fides good and when is it bad? How does one tell the difference?

• the description of the storm in lines 160-168 is extremely ominous. What figures of speech/rhetorical devices does Vergil use here to increase our sense of foreboding as we read?
• How sympathetic is Vergil to Dido? Use his comments in lines 169-172 as the basis for your answer.
• Vergil's description of Fama (lines 173-188) creates a terrifying personification of an abstract force. Besides personification, what figures of speech/rhetorical devices does Vergil use to explain Fama's powers?
• Scan line 181. How does the metrical pattern of the line complement its meaning?
• In line 188, Vergil indicates that Fama reports both true and false rumors. Is there anything untrue about the rumors she spreads in lines 191-194?

1. What were the ultimate aims of Orgetorix? Whom did he enlist in his plan?
2. What was the key quality, according to Orgetorix, that would allow the Helvetii to win their aims?
3. Can one feel hemmed in by nature? How might this work? Do those who live along rivers or between mountains feel more hemmed in than do those who live on open plains? Or is it perhaps the nearby Germani who hemmed in the Helvetti? Why might this have been the case? What evidence does Caesar provide for this?
4. Study the map in your text book (or a regular map will do). How big is modern-day Switzerland (which still calls itself Helvetia)? If one travels on foot, by boat, or by horse, are those boundries inadequate? How much space does a people need? What other factors might led the Helvetti to consider emigration?

1. Aeneas and his Trojan followers sought new lands too. How do their motives compare with those of the Helvetti?

• Caesar, like most Romans, places great emphasis on the importance of virtus, literally means "manliness". What other qualities does the word imply in the ancient Roman context where all able-bodied en were expected to serve in the military?
• Some scholars argue that this section because of its heavy-handed geography might not have been written by Caesar. Do you think that this extensive geographical description is interesting? helpful? in the way of the main story?

• Aeneas fights in battles too. To what extent does Aeneas embody virtus or "manliness"? This is a theme one can follow throughout the De Bello Gallico as well as the Aeneid.
• What are some of the factors that make us uncertain about how accurately our texts convey what ancient authors actually wrote?

• In line 560, Aeneas describes his sudden recollection of his father as the apparition of an imago, a word often used to describe the appearance of a dead person in one's dreams. Is Aeneas' father already dead? How can you tell?
• As he recalls his first view of Helen in the ruins of Troy, Aeneas emphasizes the sense of sight (567-70). Write out all of the words and phrases in this passage that refers to the sense of sight; are any other senses evoked at point the passage?
• Aeneas mentions that Helen is staying near the temple of Vesta ('limina Vestae servantem" 567-68). Who is the goddess Vesta, and what do you know about her? Does she appear elsewhere in the Aeneid? And why do you think that Helen might seek safety in Vesta's temple?
• In 571-73, Aeneas identifies three persons or things that Helen is afraid of. What are these 3 entities? Write out and translate the words or phrases for each of the 3.
• In 594-600, Venus expresses her concern for those closest to Aeneas. Who does she mention? And what does she think has happened to them?

• 5. In lins 203-4, Vergil separates the epithet gemini far apart from the word it modifies, angues. What is the effect of this separation (hyperbaton) on Aeneas' audience?
• 6. In lines 209, the clause "Fit sonitus spumante salo" is virtually impersonal (there is no one to hear the sound). What effect does this sort of description have on its audience? How do other features of these words enhance this effect?
• 7. Aeneas focuses particular attention in his description of the snakes on how their eyes look ("ardentes......oculos suffecti sanguine et igni" 201). How literally are we to take this description? Support you answer with reference to the text.
• 8. Aeneas describes the movement of the snakes toward Laocoon with a military metaphor, "agmine certo"(212). Why do you think Aeneas uses this methaphor?

• #68. Illioneus' first mention of Aeneas (544-45) is highly laudatory. What does this tell you about the Trojan' view of their leader? Do you think Illioneus is sincere? Why? (3 separate answers!)
• #69 Illioneus next wants to reassure Dido that, if she helps them show won't regret it (546-50) How does he do so? Is his argument persuasive?
• #72 In 551-552, Illioneus mentions 3 things he and his men must do to repair the fleet. What are they? Write out and translate the Latin response that supports your answer.
• #73. In 553-54, Illioneus names the Trojans' hoped-for destination 3 times. What is the effect of this repetition? what other words in these lines can support you interpretation?

• Venus describes Queen Dido early on in this line " dux femina facti" (364). Translate this line.
• ID 3 distinct features in the description of Dido in lines 494-519 that support Venus' earlier description. 
• How does Dido's leadership manifest itself in this scene as Aeneas watchers her?

• The arrival of Dido on the scene in lines 494-97 (haec....caterva) brings the ecphrasis to an abrupt end. Does Vergil give any indication that the last scene he describes (lines491-93) is in fact the last scene on the temple, or is Aeneas poised to look further?
• In lines 498-502, Vergil compares Dido to the goddess Diana. A Diana look-alike has already appeared once in Book 1-- where? And what does the repetition of imagery associated with Diana suggest about Dido?

• As Aeneas and Achates approach Carthage, they are awed by what they see (lines 418-422). ID at least 4 remarkable features of the new city as decribed here by Vergil.
• In lines 423-29 (instant....futuris), Vergil gives a vivid description of various activities in which the Carthaginians are engaged. ID at least 8 of these activities (and number them!!), AND consider the sequence in which Vergil lists them: what does this arrangement suggest about the relative importance of each of these activities?
• In lines 430-36 (Qualis...mella), Vergil uses a simile comparing the Carthaginians laborers to bees, and notes several of the activities in which bees are typically engaged. How effective is the parallel suggested by this simile? Can you detect any differences between the way in which Vergil describes the Carthaginians and the way in which he describes the bees?
• Walls (moenia, 437) are an important symbol in Roman tradition (and in classical thought generally) of stability, permanence, and civilization; they are also useful for the exclusion of foreigners and defense against enemies. Which of these meanings do the Carthaginians walls have for Aeneas? And which of these meanings do the walls have for the Carthaginians themselves? Answer WHY and GIVE PROOF for each answer.

• the cave of the Nymphs is perceived by the Trojans as a safe harbor where they may rest and recover from the effects of the storm. Is their perception accurate? HOW does Vergil make the cave seem  inviting and safe? Is it in fact so? (give reasons/evidence!)
• In lines 170-179 (Huc..saxo) Vergil describes in detail the landing of the Trojans on the Libyan shore and their first actions there. How does Vergil use the contrast between wet and dry states to emphasize this transition?

• in lines 159-169, Vergil again presents his reader with the striking example of visual narrative with his description of the cave of the Nymphs. ID 4-5  figures of speech/rhetorical devices Vergil uses to create the vivid picture.

• In lines 148-153 ("Ac....undas"), Vergil uses the first extended simile in the Aeneid to describe the effect of Neptune's calming powers on the chaos around him. How do the features of the simile correspond to details in the storm narrative?
• In this simile, Vergil describes a man of outstanding pietas (151) who be th epower of his presence is able to calm those around him. While it is clear that Vergil intends in the first place to compare Neptune with this man, his use of the word "pietas" also makes it likely that he means us to think of Aeneas himself. Why might Vergil wish us to see Neptune and Aeneas as similar?
• With lines 154-156, Vergil closes the storm scene. How do these lines provide an effective ending for this episode, and a transition to the next?

• In lines 142-147 (Sic...undas) Vergil describes how Neptune and his attendants restore peace at sea. How does this passage reflect in its style the speed and ease with which Neptune acts?
  

• In line 130, Vergil uses the words doli....Iunonis et irae to describe Neptune's perception of of the storm and its causes. Is his sense of Juno's motivation justified? What is its basis?
• in Lines 132-141 ("tantane....regnet"), Neptune addresses the winds who have caused so much trouble for the Trojans, and reasserts his control over them. What features of structure, style, and word choice make this particularly effective speech?
• If Juno, Neptune, and Aeolus were to rumble (Westside story style) who would win and why? Support your answer with evidence from the text we have read so far.

1. In line 95, Aeneas refers to the good fortune to those Trojans who died at home and in the sight of the parents ("ante ora patrum Troiae sub moenibus altis"). What factors relating to the context for the speech help make this reference poingnant here? 

1. In lines 92-94 ("extemplo.....refert"), Aeneas himself is introduced as a character in the poem and in the storm created by Aeolus. What first impression of his character do these lines create?

1. In lines 51-57 ("nimborum...iras") Vergil describes the kingdom of the wind god Aeolus. Identify 3 figures of speech or rhetorical devices other than alliteration/assonance that Vergil uses to enhance the vividness of these lines. 
2. How do lines 51-63 characterizes Aeolus himself? Is he an absolute monarch, or is his power limited in any way?
3. In lines 69-70 ('incute...ponto"), Juno suggests 4 ways Aeolus can damage Aeneas' fleet, what are they?
4. Juno offers Aeolus marriage to the nymph Deiopea in return for his help with disturbing Aeneas' ships (72-75). How does Juno ensure the success of her offer?
5. What is the purpose of Aeolus' emphatic repetition of the word "tu" in lines 78-79?

1. How do the opening words of Juno's monologue (really it's a soliloquy)  "mene....fatis" (37-39) contribute to Vergil's characterization of the goddess
2. In lines 39-48 ("quippe....gero") Juno compares her own inability to exact revenge with Minerva's punishment of Ajax. Are the two situation really comparable? Why or why not, use the latin text to support your point of view.
3. In lines 46-47 ("quae...coniunx") Juno explains why she feels she deserves respect. What are 3 of her reasons?
4. Juno ends her speech with a rhetorical question (lines 48-49). What is the implicit answer to her question?-- back up your answer with previous text.

1. At line 34, Vergil focuses in on the Trojans as they sail in the western Mediterranean sea towards Italy. he thus starts the story in medias res, an effective strategy for creating tension and excitement. How has the introduction (lines 1-33) paved the way for the first episode? And how does Vergil create tension and excitement in this episode's opening lines (34-36)?
2. Why does Vergil describe Juno' sanger as "aeternum vulnus" (36)?
3. How do the opening words of Juno's monologue("mene....fatis" 37-39) contribute to Vergil's characterization of the goddess?

1. In line 23, Vergil uses the epithet "Saturnia" to identify and to characterize Juno. Look up the definition of "epithet" in the figures of speech section of your Aeneid and answer to what or whom does this epithet (saturnia) refer? What reasons can you suggest to explain Vergil's use of it here?
2. In line 32, Vergil mentions fate/the fates for the 3rd time since the poem's opening (the earlier references are in lines 2 and 18). Why do you think that Vergil gives this motif such prominence in the opening lines of the Aeneid?
3. In line 33, Vergil concludes his summary of the story told in the Aeneid. How can this line be seen as a summary of the entire poem? And how does this summary complement that already provided in line 11 above?

1. Identify 3 distinct features of Carthage as described by Vergil in lines 12-14 (Ubs....belli)
2. In lines 15-18 (quam....fovetque) Vergil describes Juno's fondness for Carthage.List 3 features characterizing her affection. How do they complement the description provided earlier in lines 12-14?