2.16: 3.666–75

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ipse racemiferis frontem circumdatus uvis
pampineis agitat velatam frondibus hastam;
quem circa tigres simulacraque inania lyncum
pictarumque iacent fera corpora pantherarum.
exsiluere viri, sive hoc insania fecit 670
sive timor, primusque Medon nigrescere coepit
corpore et expresso spinae curvamine flecti.
incipit huic Lycabas “in quae miracula” dixit
“verteris?” et lati rictus et panda loquenti
naris erat, squamamque cutis durata trahebat. 675

Study Questions

What kind of accusative is frontem (666)?
What noun does racemiferis modify?
Identify the accusative object of agitat (667).
Scan line 669: what is unusual about its metrical design?
Parse exsiluere (670).
What does the et after corpore (672) link?
What kind of construction is expresso … curvamine (672)?
Parse verteris (674).
What is the verb of the clause starting with lati rictus (674)?
Parse loquenti (674).
What does the -que after squamam (675) link?

Stylistic Appreciation

How does Ovid render Bacchus’ epiphany graphic and effective? (Be sure to include comments on its impact on the audience in the text.) How does he manage to visualize the phenomenon of transformation?

Discussion Points

This block of text brings together gods, humans, and beasts (including the transformation of humans into beasts). Discuss how ancient (and modern) cultures configure these three ‘life-forms’ and their interrelation.

racemifer, -era, -erum	bearing clusters [of grapes]
uva, -ae, f.	grape
pampineus, -a, -um	full of tendrils or vine-leaves
velo, -are, -avi, -atum	to cover (up), wrap, envelop, veil
hasta, -ae, f.	lance, spear
circa (adverb)	around, round about, all around
simulacrum, -i, n.	likeness, image, form, figure
inanis, -is, -e	empty, void; lifeless, dead
lynx, lyncis, f.	a lynx
panthera, -ae, f.	a panther
exsilio, -ire, -ui	to spring out, bound forth, leap up
nigresco, -ere, -grui	to become black, grow dark
exprimo, -ere, -pressi, -pressum	to press or squeeze out, force out
curvamen, -inis, n.	curvature; curved form; arc
verto, -ere, -ti, -sum	to turn; to change, alter, transform; to translate; to overturn, overthrow
latus, -a, -um	broad, wide, extended
rictus, -us, m	the mouth wide-open; gaping jaws
pandus, -a, -um	bent, crooked, curved
naris, -is, f.	nose
squama, -ae, f.	a scale
cutis, -is, f.	skin