Vergil, Aeneid IX 123-167

Obstipuere animis Rutuli, conterritus ipse

turbatis Messapus equis, cunctatur et amnis

rauca sonans reuocatque pedem Tiberinus ab alto.125

at non audaci Turno fiducia cessit;

ultro animos tollit dictis atque increpat ultro:

'Troianos haec monstra petunt, his Iuppiter ipse

auxilium solitum eripuit: non tela neque ignis

exspectant Rutulos. ergo maria inuia Teucris,130

nec spes ulla fugae: rerum pars altera adempta est,

terra autem in nostris manibus, tot milia gentes

arma ferunt Italae. nil me fatalia terrent,

si qua Phryges prae se iactant, responsa deorum;

sat fatis Venerique datum, tetigere quod arua135

fertilis Ausoniae Troes. sunt et mea contra

fata mihi, ferro sceleratam exscindere gentem

coniuge praerepta; nec solos tangit Atridas

iste dolor, solisque licet capere arma Mycenis.

"sed periisse semel satis est": peccare fuisset140

ante satis, penitus modo non genus omne perosos

femineum. quibus haec medii fiducia ualli

fossarumque morae, leti discrimina parua,

dant animos; at non uiderunt moenia Troiae

Neptuni fabricata manu considere in ignis?145

sed uos, o lecti, ferro qui scindere uallum

apparat et mecum inuadit trepidantia castra?

non armis mihi Volcani, non mille carinis

est opus in Teucros. addant se protinus omnes

Etrusci socios. tenebras et inertia furta150

Palladii caesis late custodibus arcis

ne timeant, nec equi caeca condemur in aluo:

luce palam certum est igni circumdare muros.

haud sibi cum Danais rem faxo et pube Pelasga

esse ferant, decimum quos distulit Hector in annum.155

nunc adeo, melior quoniam pars acta diei,

quod superest, laeti bene gestis corpora rebus

procurate, uiri, et pugnam sperate parari.'

interea uigilum excubiis obsidere portas

cura datur Messapo et moenia cingere flammis.160

bis septem Rutuli muros qui milite seruent

delecti, ast illos centeni quemque sequuntur

purpurei cristis iuuenes auroque corusci.

discurrunt uariantque uices, fusique per herbam

indulgent uino et uertunt crateras aenos.165

conlucent ignes, noctem custodia ducit

insomnem ludo.

    CORE VOCABULARY

    obstipēscō, stipuī (stupuī), 3, inc. n.: to become stupefied; to be astonished, amazed, 1.613.

    Rutulī, ōrum, m.: the Rutulians, an ancient tribe of Latium dwelling south of the Tiber, 1.266, et al.

    conterreō, uī, itus, 2, a.: to frighten greatly; terrify, 3.597.

    Messāpus, ī, m.: a Latin chief, allied with Turnus, 7.691, et al.

    cunctor, ātus sum, 1, dep. n.: to delay, hesitate, linger, wait, 4.133; keep one's ground, stand at bay, 10.717.

    raucus, a, um: (adj.), rough-sounding, hoarse; screaming, 7.705; roaring, resounding, 2.545; (adv.), rauca, hoarsely, 9.125.

    Tiberīnus (Thӯbrinus, 12.35), a, um: adj. (Tiberis), pertaining to the Tiber; Tiberine, 1.13, et al.; subst., Tiberīnus, m., the river-god, Tiber; the Tiber, 6.873.

    altum, ī, n.: the deep; the lofty; the deep sea, the main, the deep, 1.3; the sky, heaven, air, 1.297; from far, far-fetched, remote, 8.395. (altus)

    Turnus, ī, m.: the chief of the Rutulians, 7.56, et al.

    fīdūcia, ae, f.: confidence, trust, reliance, assurance, hope, 2.75, et al. (fīdō)

    ultrō: (adv.), to the farther side; furthermore, over and above, moreover, 2.145, et al.; even, 9.127; beyond the limit of necessity; uncompelled, unasked, unimpelled; apart from all external influences, of one's self, of one's own accord or motion, voluntarily, willingly; unprompted by any words on another's part, first, 2.372; 4.304; unaddressed, 10.606; promptly, 10.282; impetuously, 12.3. (cf. ulterior)

    dictum, ī, n.: a thing said; word, 1.197; command, precept, injunction, 1.695; promise, 8.643. (dīcō)

    increpō, uī, itus, rarely āvī, ātus, 1, n. and a.: to make a noise or din; resound, 8.527; clash, 12.332; snap, 12.755; (fig.), chide, blame, reprimand, 6.387; taunt, 9.560; (w. cognate acc.), utter, 9.504.

    Trōiānus, a, um: adj. (Trōia), Trojan, 1.19; subst., Trōiānus, ī, m., a Trojan, 1.286; pl., Trōiānī, ōrum, m., the Trojans, 5.688.

    mōnstrum, ī, n.: the thing which warns; an omen, a portent, 3.26; supernatural token, sign, 12.246; a prodigy, marvel, wonder, terror, 3.583; monster, 2.245. (moneō)

    Iuppiter, Iovis, m.: Jupiter, son of Saturn and Rhea, and king of the gods, 1.223; Iuppiter Stygius, Pluto, 4.638.

    solitus, a, um: having been accustomed, wont, 9.591; p., wonted, usual, habitual, 7.357, et al.

    Rutulus, ī, m.: a Rutulian; Turnus, 7.409; for the pl., the Rutulians, 8.474.

    invius, a, um: without a way; trackless, inaccessible, impassable, 1.537; difficult, 3.383.

    Teucrī, ōrum, m.: the Trojans, descendants of Teucer, 1.38, et al.; adj., Teucrian, Trojan, 9.779, et al. (Teucer)

    nec or neque: (adv. and conj.), and not; neither, nor, 1.643, et al.; in prohibition, 3.394, et al.; neque (nec) — neque (nec), neither — nor, 5.21, et al.; nec — et, or -que, may be rendered neither — nor, 12.801; 2.534; nec nōn, and also, nor less, 6.183; nec nōn et, and also, 1.707.

    adimō, ēmī, ēmptus, 3, a.: to take to one’s self; take from or away, 4, 244; pluck out, 3, 658. (ad and emō)

    manus, ūs, f.: the hand, 1.487; freq.; (meton.), action, movement of the hand; work, art, handiwork, 3.486; prowess, heroic deed, action, 2.434; force, violence, 2.645; a collection of persons; a band, crew, troop; an army, 2.29; forces, 5.623; multitude, 6.660; pl., manūs, workmen, 11.329; dare manūs, to yield, 11.558; extrēma manus, the finishing hand or touch, 7.572.

    Italus, a, um: Italian, 3.440, et al.; subst., Italī, ōrum, m., the Italians, 1.109. (Ītalia)

    fātālis, e: adj. (fātum), fated, 4.355; of fate or destiny, 2.165; sent by fate, 12.232; fraught with fate, destructive, calamitous, deadly, fatal, 12.919.

    quis, qua or quae, quid or quod: (indef. pron., adj., and subst.), any, some, 2.94, et al.; some one, any one, any body, anything, something, 1.413, et al.; sī quis, nē quis, etc., if any, lest any, etc., freq.; (adv.), quid, as to anything, in anything, at all, freq.; sī quid, if at all, freq.

    Phryges, um, m.: Phrygians; the inhabitants of Phrygia, which originally included the Troad; hence, also, Trojans, 1.468, et al.; sing., Phryx, ygis, m., a Phrygian or Trojan, 12.99.

    prae: (prep. w. abl.), before; prae sē portāre, to carry, 11.544; prae sē iactāre, to pretend, 9.134. (rel. to prō)

    iactō, āvī, ātus, 1, freq. a.: to throw often or much; toss to and fro; toss, freq.; hurl, cast, 2.459; thrust out, 5.376; aim, 5.433; (fig.), throw out words, utter, say, 1.102; of the mind, revolve, meditate, 1.227; sē iactāre, boast, exalt one's self, rejoice, glory, 1.140; prae sē iactāre, to make pretense of, 9.134; p., iactāns, antis, arrogant, assuming, ambitious, 6.815. (iaciō)

    respōnsum, ī, n.: an answer, reply, 2.376; oracular answer, response, 6.799. (respondeō)

    Venus, eris, f.: Venus, goddess of love and beauty, identified by the Romans with Aphrodite, daughter of Jupiter and Dione, 1.411, et al.; (meton.), love, lust, 6.26.

    quod: (conj.), as to which thing; in that, that, indeed that, because; but, moreover, however, freq.; quod sī, but if, indeed if, if however, 6.133.

    fertilis, e: adj. (ferō), productive, fertile, fruitful, 9.136.

    Ausonia, ae, f.: an ancient name of middle and lower Italy; Italy, in general, 3.496.

    Trōes, m.: (subst.), the Trojans, 1.30, et al. (Tros, one of the kings of Troy)

    contrā: (prep. and adv.; prep. w. acc.), over against; opposite to, 1.13; against, 5.370; to, 9.280; on the contrary, 12.779; on the other hand, in reply, 1.76.

    scelerō, no perf., ātus, 1, a.: to make impious; desecrate, pollute, 3.42; p., scelerātus, a, um, foul with crime; polluted, impious, wicked, 2.231; accursed, 6.563; pertaining to the guilty or to guilt, due to wickedness, 2.576; sacrilegious, 9.137. (scelus)

    exscindō, scidī, scissus, 3, a.: to tear out; tear down, destroy, 2.177; extirpate, 4.425.

    praeripiō, ripuī, reptus, 3, a.: to snatch, seize before another; seize quickly; snatch away, 4.516. (prae and rapiō)

    Atrīdēs, ae, m.: a son or descendant of Atreus; pl., Atrīdae, ārum, the Atridae (Agamemnon and Menelaus), 2.104.

    Mycēnae, ārum, and Mycēna, ae, f.: Mycenae, an ancient city of Argolis; the abode of Danaus, Pelops, and Agamemnon, 1.284, et al.

    pereō, iī, itus, īre, irreg. n.: to go out of sight; to be lost, undone, 4.497; perish, 2.660; die, 2.408.

    penitus: adv. (cf. penes), inwardly, far within, deep, deeply, 1.200; wholly, entirely, 6.737; afar, 11.623; far away, 1.512.

    perōdī, ōdisse, ōsus sum, def. a.: to hate, abhor, loathe, 6.435. (per and ōdī)

    fēmineus, a, um: adj. (fēmina), pertaining to women; female, 9.142; a woman’s, of a woman, 2.584; of women, 4.667; fit for a woman, 12.53.

    vāllum, ī: a rampart, breastwork, or fort with palisades, 9.524.

    fossa, ae, f.: a ditch, trench, 7.157. (fodiō)

    lētum, ī, n.: death, destruction, 2.134, et al. (cf. dēleō)

    discrīmen, inis, n.: a separating interval, space, 5.154; separation, division, 10.382; distance, 3.685; difference, distinction, 1.574; variation, division, of sound; note, 6.646; crisis, danger, peril, 1.204; pl., difference, 10.529. (discernō)

    Trōia, ae, f.: 1. Troy, the capital of the Troad, 2.625, et al. 2. A city built by Helenus in Epirus, 3.349. 3. A part of the city of Acesta in Sicily, 5.756. 4. The name of an equestrian game of Roman boys, 5.602.

    Neptūnus, ī, m.: Neptune, one of the sons of Saturn, and brother of Jupiter, Juno, and Pluto; identified by the Romans, as god of the sea, with the Greek Poseidon, 1.125.

    fabricō, āvī, ātus, 1, a., and fabricor, ātus sum, 1, dep. a.: to construct, frame, build, 2.46. (fabrica, structure)

    cōnsīdō, sēdī, sessus, 3, n.: to sit or settle down together or completely; sink, 2.624; sit, 4.573; sit in mourning, 11.350; take a seat, 5.136; alight, 3.245; settle, 10.780; dwell, 1.572; abide, rest, 11.915; to lie at anchor, to anchor, 3.378; to be moored, stationed, 7.431.

    ō: (interj. expressing joy, grief, astonishment, desire, or indignation), O! oh! ah! w. voc., 2.281, et al.; w. sī and the subj., oh that, 11.415; sometimes placed after the word to which it relates, 2.281.

    lēctus, a, um: gathered, collected, 6.228; picked, culled; chosen, choice, 9.272, et al. (legō)

    scindō, scidī, scissus, 3, a.: to cut asunder; split, 6.182; part, separate, divide, 1.161; tear, 9.478; (fig.), divide, 2.39.

    apparō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to get ready, prepare; resolve, be ready; with infin., 11.117. (ad and parō)

    invādō, vāsī, vāsus, 3, a. and n.: to go into; enter, 3.382; enter upon, 6.260; invade, violate, 6.623; rush into, 12.712; attack, assail, 2.414; address, accost, 4.265; undertake, adventure, 9.186.

    trepidō, āvī, ātus, 1, n. and a.: to be in trepidation, alarm or panic, 10.788; to hurry, hasten to and fro or about, 2.685; to hasten (with inf.), 9.114; to strive nervously, make trembling effort, 12.403. (trepidus)

    Vulcānus, ī, m.: the god of fire and of the forge, son of Jupiter and Juno, 8.422; (meton.), fire, 2.311, et al.

    carīna, ae, f.: the keel of a ship, ship, 4.398; a boat, 6.391; frame, timber, 5.682.

    opus, indecl. n.: need, necessity, w. abl. of the thing needed, 6.261.

    Etrūscus, a, um: adj. (Etrūria), Etrurian, Tuscan, 8.503; subst., Etrūscī, ōrum, m., the Etrurians, Tuscans, 9.150.

    iners, inertis: without ability; without force; inactive, inanimate, indolent; feeble, timid, 9.730; helpless, lifeless, 2.364; of the voice, weak, 10.322.

    fūrtum, ī, n.: that which is stolen; (meton.), the act of stealing; theft; secrecy, concealment, 4.337; artifice, deceit, fraud, deception, 6.24; treacherous deed (adultery), 10.91; stealthy attack, stratagem, 9.350; fūrta bellī, an ambuscade, 11.515. (fūr)

    Palladius, a, um: adj. (Pallas), pertaining to Pallas or Minerva, Palladian; subst., Palladium, iī, n., the Palladium or image of Pallas, supposed to have been sent from heaven as a gift to the Trojans, and as a pledge of the safety of Troy so long as it should be preserved within the city, 2.166, et al.

    lātē: (adv.), widely; far and wide, 1.21; on all sides, far around, 1.163; all over, 12.308. (lātus)

    alvus, ī, f.: the abdomen, the belly; waist, 12.273; body, 2.51.

    palam: (adv.), openly, 9.153; plainly, 7.428.

    circumdō, dedī, datus, dare, 1, a.: to put or throw around; (with abl.), to encircle, surround, encompass, inclose with, 1.368; of dress, gird, 9.462; adorn, 6.207; set, 1.593; border, 4.137; (with dat.), throw around, 2.792; twine or coil around, 2.219; put round, 2.510.

    Danaī, ōrum, m.: the Greeks, 2.327.

    pūbēs, is, f.: the groin, middle, 3.427; the youthful population; youth, young men; youthful band, 1.399; brood, offspring, 6.580.

    Pelasgus, a, um: adj. (Pelasgī), Pelasgian; Greek, 6.503.

    decimus, a, um: adj. (decem), the tenth, 9.155.

    Hector, oris, m.: son of Priam, and chief defender of Troy, 1.99, et al.

    supersum, fuī, esse, irreg., n.: to be over; to be left, remain (separated by tmesis), 2.567; survive, 8.399.

    procūrō, āvī, ātus, 1, a.: to care for; attend to; refresh, 9.158.

    intereā: (adv.), amid these things; meanwhile, in the meantime, 1.418, et al.

    vigil, ilis: adj. (vigeō), awake, on the watch; sleepless, 4.182; perpetual, 4.200; subst., vigil, ilis, m., a watchman, guard, sentinel, 2.266, et al.

    excubiae, ārum, f.: a lying out; watching; vigils, watch, 4.201. (excubō)

    obsīdō, 3, a.: to set before, watch, 9.159; block up, beset, 11.516; invade, occupy, 7.334.

    bis: (adv.), twice, 1.381. (in composition bi-)

    septem: (num. adj.), seven, freq.

    dēligō, lēgī, lēctus, 3, a.: to choose from; choose, 2.18. (dē and legō)

    centēnus, a, um: distr. num. adj. (centum); pl., a hundred each, 9.162; sing. (after the analogy of multus, many a), a unit repeated the hundredth time, render by the plural, a hundred, 10.207; as cardinal, a hundred, 10.566.

    purpureus, a, um: adj. (purpura), of purple; purple-colored, scarlet, red, purple, 1.337; of blood, 9.349; ruddy, glowing, brilliant, 1.591.

    crista, ae, f.: a crest, plume, 3.468; helmet, 7.185.

    coruscus, a, um: adj. (coruscō), vibrating, tremulous, waving, 12.701; flashing, 1.164; gleaming, 2.172.

    discurrō, cucurrī, or currī, cursus, 3, n.: to run apart; to ride in different directions, 5.580; to move in patrols, or hurry to and fro as patrols, 9.164; (impers.), discurritur, they hurry in different directions, 11.468.

    variō, āvī, ātus, 1, a. and n.: a., to diversify; exchange, relieve, 9.164; n., change, waver, 12.223. (varius)

    vicis, gen. f.: a change, turn in affairs; stage, interchange, 6.535; vicissitude, event, 3.376; combat, encounter, peril, 2.433, part, place, post, 3.634; watch, guard, 9.175. (nom. sing. wanting)

    herba, ae, f.: any grassy or herbaceous growth; grass, turf, 1.214, et al; fodder; herb, plant, 3.650; grassy land, pasture, meadow, 3.221; a plant.

    indulgeō, dulsī, dultus, 2, n.: to be indulgent, kind, yielding, give way to, 2.776; yield to, indulge in, 4.51; favor, 8.512.

    crātēr, ēris, m., acc. sing. ēra, pl. ēras: a large mixing bowl or urn; mixer; bowl, 1.724; jar, 6.225.

    aēnus, a, um: adj. (aes), of bronze; brazen, 2.470; subst., aēnum, ī, n., a bronze or brazen vessel; caldron, 1.213, et al.

    conlūceō, 2, n.: to be wholly shining; shine on every side; be lighted up; shine, 4.567; be refulgent, 10.539.

    cūstōdia, ae, f.: a watching, watch; guardianship, care; a watch, guard, 6.574. (cūstōs)

    īnsomnis, e: without sleep, wakeful, 9.167.

    lūdus, ī, m.: play, sport, pastime, 9.606; mirth; pl., lūdī, ōrum, games, public or national, 3.280. (lūdō)

    article Nav

    Suggested Citation

    Christopher Francese and Meghan Reedy, Vergil: Aeneid Selections. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: Dickinson College Commentaries, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-947822-08-5. https://dcc.dickinson.edu/vergil-aeneid/vergil-aeneid-ix-123-167