24. Study Questions Copy

They were generally there to punish crimes but Virgil seems to see them as there to terrify mortals when war or disease strikes, and death approaches.

In 53 BC, the Romans suffered a huge defeat by the Parthians. The Roman forces were led by Marcus Crassus, one of the so-called ‘First Triumvirate’. His death would ultimately lead to the civil war between Caesar and Pompey.

He is paralysed with fear.