Annotations
Aeneas sacrifices at the tomb of Anchises, a giant snake winds around the altar; there is horror in the spectators.
Aeneas opfert am Grabe des Anchises, eine riesige Schlange windet sich um den Altar; Entsetzen bei den Zuschauern. (Suerbaum)
Engraving from a German children’s picture-book version of the Aeneid by G. J. Lang and G. C. Eimmart, “A tapestry of Roman virtues as seen in Vergil’s Aeneas and his brave deeds, rendered in sparkling engravings, as illustrations of the remarkable deeds of antiquity, for the common benefit of noble youth,” (Peplus virtutum Romanarum in Aenea Virgiliano eiusque rebus fortiter gestis, ad maiorem antiquitatis et rerum lucem, communi iuventutis sacratae bono, aere renitens) (Nuremburg: J.L. Buggel, 1688), pl. 18.
Aeneas wears a myrtle wreath (72) as he retreats from the giant snake curled round the offerings at Anchises’ tomb. On the ground are rose petals (flores purpureosque, 79) and many dishes and vessels that had been holding Aeneas’ offerings of blood and milk (78). (Lucy McInerney)