19. Study Questions Copy

1. When Turnus’ sword snaps, he is forced to flee from Aeneas. The ancient audience may have been expected to think of the episode in Book 22 of the Iliad, when Hector flees from Achilles. Read this section from the Iliad for the comparison (lines 131-187) https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/Greek/Iliad22.php.

Notice how Virgil has inverted the roles of pursuer and pursued.

2. Why has the sword broken?

It has come into contact with the armour constructed by Vulcan (see Aeneid Book 8).

3. Why is Turnus forced to run in circles?

He is hemmed in on all sides: by the Trojans, by marshes and by steep ramparts.