• 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?