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© Ingo Gildenhard and Andrew Zissos, CC BY 4.0 http://dx.doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0073.02

3.511–18

cognita res meritam vati per Achaidas urbes

attulerat famam, nomenque erat auguris ingens;

spernit Echionides tamen hunc ex omnibus unus

contemptor superum Pentheus praesagaque ridet

verba senis tenebrasque et cladem lucis ademptae 515

obicit. ille movens albentia tempora canis

‘quam felix esses, si tu quoque luminis huius

orbus’ ait ‘fieres, ne Bacchica sacra videres!

Study Questions

• What is the res mentioned in 511?
• What noun does the adjective meritam (511) agree with? What is name for this kind of separation of attribute and noun? What is the effect of its use here?
• Parse vati.
• Parse attulerat.
• What is the subject of spernit (513)?
• Identify the respective accusative object(s) of spernit (513), ridet (514), and obicit (516).
• Parse superum.
• What does the -que after praesaga (514) link? The -que after tenebras (515)? The et in 515?
• Parse senis.
• Parse canis — how does it fit into the sentence?
• What type of conditional clause does si (517) introduce? What is its protasis?
• Parse fieres.
• How does Ovid bring the theme of ‘blindness and insight’ into play here?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Analyze the rhetorical design of spernit Echionides tamen hunc ex omnibus unus | contemptor superum Pentheus praesagaque ridet | verba senis tenebrasque et cladem lucis ademptae | obicit (513–16), paying attention not least to Ovid’s placement of words in the nominative, accusative objects, and verbs.

  Discussion Points

  How does Ovid characterize Pentheus and Tiresias here? What type of power do these figures represent, respectively? Can you think of similar conflicts elsewhere in classical (and contemporary) literature and culture?

  cognosco, -oscere, -ovi, -itum	to get to know in the perfect often = to know
  vates/ vatis, -is, m./f.	prophet, seer; poet
  Achais, -idos, f. adj.	Greek
  augur, -uris, m.	prophet, seer; augur
  Echionides	(patronymic) ‘son of Echion’
  praesagus, -a, -um	portending, ominous
  superi, -orum (or superum)	those who dwell above; gods
  adimo, -imere, -emi, -emptum	to remove by physical force, take away
  obicio, -icere, -ieci, -iectum	to throw in the way/ in one’s teeth
  albeo, -ere	to be white (with), appear white
  tempus, -oris, n.	the side of the forehead, temple (a less common sense of the Latin word for ‘time’)
  cani, -orum, m. pl. [= cani capilli]	grey hairs (not to be confused with canis, -is, m./f., ‘dog’)
  orbus, -a, -um	deprived (of), bereaved, orphaned

  3.519–26

  namque dies aderit, quam non procul auguror esse,

  qua novus huc veniat, proles Semeleia, Liber, 520

  quem nisi templorum fueris dignatus honore,

  mille lacer spargere locis et sanguine silvas

  foedabis matremque tuam matrisque sorores.

  eveniet! neque enim dignabere numen honore,

  meque sub his tenebris nimium vidisse quereris’. 525

  talia dicentem proturbat Echione natus.

  Study Questions

• Explain the syntax of quam non procul auguror esse (519).
• How does Semeleia (520) scan — and why?
• Why type of condition does nisi (521) introduce?
• On what noun does the genitive templorum (521) depend?
• What word does mille (522) modify?
• How does lacer fit into the syntax of the sentence?
• Parse spargere (522).
• What does the -que after matrem (523) link? And what the -que after matris (523)?
• Parse and scan eveniet (524)
• Parse dignabere (524).
• What does the -que after me (525) link?
• Explain the syntax of me (525).
• Parse dicentem.
• What kind of ablative is Echione (526)?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Discuss Ovid’s use of tense (present; future; future perfect) and repetition (e.g. fueris dignatus ~ dignabere) in this segment. How does it enhance the authority of Tiresias?

  Discussion Points

  Tiresias here announces that what soon will go down in the text is the epic equivalent of a modern splatter-movie: horror is in store, as well as the graphic portrayal of gore and violence (see esp. 522–23: mille lacer spargere locis et sanguine silvas | foedabis matremque tuam matrisque sorores). Do you really want to read on? And if so, why?

  auguro, -are, -avi, -atum or (as here) as deponent: auguror, -ari, -atus	to foretell by augury, predict, prophesy
  procul (adv.)	some way off, (far) away
  proles, -is, f.	offspring
  digno, -are, -avi, -atum or (as here) as deponent: dignor, -ari, -atus	to consider worthy
  lacer, -era, -um	mutilated, mangled; torn, rent
  spargo, -gere, -si, -sum	to scatter, sprinkle, strew, disperse
  foedo, -are, -avi, -atum	to make filthy/unclean, soil, stain, befoul
  numen, -inis, n.	divine power, divinity
  proturbo, -are, -avi, -atum	to drive forth, push out of the way

  3.527–37

  dicta fides sequitur, responsaque vatis aguntur.

  Liber adest, festisque fremunt ululatibus agri:

  turba ruit, mixtaeque viris matresque nurusque

  vulgusque proceresque ignota ad sacra feruntur. 530

  ‘Quis furor, anguigenae, proles Mavortia, vestras

  attonuit mentes?’ Pentheus ait; ‘aerane tantum

  aere repulsa valent et adunco tibia cornu

  et magicae fraudes, ut, quos non bellicus ensis,

  non tuba terruerit, non strictis agmina telis, 535

  femineae voces et mota insania vino

  obscenique greges et inania tympana vincant?

  Study Questions

• Parse dicta.
• Who is Liber?
• What is the subject of fremunt (528)? What is the effect of its placement in the sentence?
• Sort out what each of the five -que in 529–30 (festisque, mixtaeque, matresque, nurusque, vulgusque, proceresque) links. Which one is technically speaking superfluous? Why does Ovid use it nevertheless?
• What is the case of anguigenae and proles Mavortia (531)?
• Identify the three subjects of valent (the main verb of the sentence) (533).
• What type of clause does ut (534) introduce?
• What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun quos?
• Identify the three subjects of terruerit (the verb of the relative clause introduced by quos) (535).
• Identify the four subjects of vincant (the verb of the ut-clause) (537).

  Stylistic Appreciation

• How does Ovid bring out stylistically the Dionysiac spirit that has gripped the inhabitants of Thebes in 527–30? (Include consideration of the use of the connective -que.)
• Analyze the overall design of Pentheus’ rhetorical question aerane … vincant? (532–37).

  Discussion Points

• Why is Pentheus so upset about the behaviour of his subjects? To what does he object specifically?
• Discuss the role of gender in Pentheus’ rhetoric.
• What ‘character type’ does Pentheus conform to? Can you think of contemporary public figures who exhibit similar traits?

  Liber, -eri, m.	Bacchus
  festus, -a, -um	festive, merry
  (cf. dies festus	a holiday observed in honour of a god)
  fremo, -ere, -ui, -itum	to rumble, roar, hum, buzz
  ululatus, -us, m.	drawn-out cries, howling, yelling
  ruo, -ere, -i	to rush
  misceo, -ere, -ui, mixtum	to mix, blend, mingle, confound
  nurus, -us, f.	daughter-in-law
  (here: in poetry, usually in plural)	young (married) woman
  proceres, -um, m. pl.	the leading men of a country
  anguigena, -ae, m. [anguis + genus]	offspring of a serpent or dragon
  Mavortius, -a, -um	of or belonging to Mars, warlike
  attono, -are, -ui, -itum	to strike with lightening, drive crazy
  aes, aeris, n.	copper, bronze, brass (musical) instrument made thereof
  tantum (adverbial use of the acc. of tantus)	to such an extent/ degree
  repello, -ere, reppuli, repulsum	to drive back, repel, repulse
  aduncus, -a, -um	hooked, curved
  tibia, -ae, f.	pipe
  (cf. tibia curva	a pipe with a curved end, associated with Eastern religious rites)
  cornu, -us, n.	horn
  fraus, -dis, f.	mischief, crime, deceit, trickery
  ensis, -is, m.	sword
  stringo, -ngere, -nxi, -ctum	to bind fast, secure; draw tight; scratch (here) to bare, unsheathe
  insania, -ae, f.	madness, frenzy, folly
  obscenus, -a, -um	disgusting, filthy, loathsome, lewd
  grex, -egis m.	flock, herd, band, troop
  inanis, -is, -e	empty, hollow
  tympanum, -i, n.	percussive instrument, drum

  3.538–50

  vosne, senes, mirer, qui longa per aequora vecti

  hac Tyron, hac profugos posuistis sede penates,

  nunc sinitis sine Marte capi? vosne, acrior aetas, 540

  o iuvenes, propiorque meae, quos arma tenere,

  non thyrsos, galeaque tegi, non fronde decebat?

  este, precor, memores, qua sitis stirpe creati,

  illiusque animos, qui multos perdidit unus,

  sumite serpentis! pro fontibus ille lacuque 545

  interiit: at vos pro fama vincite vestra!

  ille dedit leto fortes: vos pellite molles

  et patrium retinete decus! si fata vetabant

  stare diu Thebas, utinam tormenta virique

  moenia diruerent, ferrumque ignisque sonarent! 550

  Study Questions

• What case is senes (538)?
• Identify and explain the mood of mirer (538).
• What noun do the demonstrative adjectives hac — hac (539) modify?
• What construction does sinitis (540) introduce and what part of it has been omitted (and needs to be supplied mentally)?
• Explain the case of meae. What noun has to be supplied mentally after meae?
• What is the antecedent of quos (541)? Why is quos in the accusative?
• Parse este (543).
• Identify and explain the mood of sitis … creati (543).
• What noun does illius (544) modify?
• What does the -que after illius (544) link?
• On what noun does the genitive serpentis (545) depend?
• What does the -que after lacu (545) link?
• Parse vos (546).
• What kind of conditional sequence does si (548) introduce? (Note: the combination imperfect indicative (vetabant) in the protasis + imperfect subjunctive (diruerent, sonarent) in the apodosis does not easily match onto any type you will find in grammars.)
• Explain the form of Thebas (549).

  veho, -here, -xi, -ctum here passive in middle sense	to convey, carry to travel, sail, ride
  Tyros, i, f.	Tyre (a city on the Phoenician coast)
  profugus, -a, -um	fugitive, exiled
  penates, -ium, m. pl.	tutelary divinities of the household
  acer, acris, acre	sharp, fierce, vigorous, energetic
  thyrsus, -i, m.	a wand crowned with ivy used in the worship of Bacchus
  galea, -ae, f.	a soldier’s helmet
  frons, frondis, f.	foliage, leafy boughs, garlands
  memor, -oris (adjective)	mindful
  fons, -ntis, m.	spring, well, fountain
  lacus, -us, m.	lake, pond, pool
  intereo, -ire, -ii, -itum	to die, perish
  decus, -oris, n.	high esteem, honour, glory
  patrius, -a, -um	of/ belonging to a father, ancestral, native
  Thebae, -arum, f. pl.	Thebes
  tormentum, -i, n.	rope, catapult; torture, agony
  diruo, -ere, -i, -tum	to demolish, wreck

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Analyze the rhetorical techniques Pentheus uses in his appeal to the Thebans. Are they effective?

  Discussion Points

• What other epic famously features exiles who sailed across the sea with their tutelary household divinities? Are the parallels significant?
• What do you make of the fact that Pentheus upholds the murderous dragon of Mars who killed off most of the companions of his grandfather Cadmus upon his arrival at the future site of Thebes (see Met. 3.1–49) as a positive role-model?

  3.551–61

  essemus miseri sine crimine, sorsque querenda,

  non celanda foret, lacrimaeque pudore carerent;

  at nunc a puero Thebae capientur inermi,

  quem neque bella iuvant nec tela nec usus equorum,

  sed madidus murra crinis mollesque coronae 555

  purpuraque et pictis intextum vestibus aurum,

  quem quidem ego actutum (modo vos absistite) cogam

  adsumptumque patrem commentaque sacra fateri.

  an satis Acrisio est animi, contemnere vanum

  numen et Argolicas venienti claudere portas: 560

  Penthea terrebit cum totis advena Thebis?

  Study Questions

• Identify and explain the tense and mood of essemus, querenda + celanda foret, and carerent (551–52)
• What kind of ablative is pudore (552)?
• What is the subject of capientur (553)?
• Identify the seven (!) subjects (three negatives, four positives) that go with iuvant (554–56).
• Explain the grammar and discuss the meaning and design of pictis intextum vestibus aurum (556).
• Explain how the infinitive fateri (558) fits into the sentence. What kind of construction does it introduce?
• What kind of genitive is animi (559)? On what word does it depend?
• Parse venienti. How does it fit into the sentence?
• Parse Penthea (561).

  Stylistic Appreciation

• What formal devices does Pentheus use to reinforce his mockery of Bacchus?
• Looking back over the speech, analyze its overall design with particular attention to Pentheus’ (changing) interaction with his audience.

  Discussion Points

• In his portrayal of Bacchus, Pentheus uses several stereotypes to characterize him as strange and foreign — a technique called ‘othering’ (to make someone look different from oneself). What are these stereotypes? Do they still have currency in contemporary culture? If so, where?
• Bacchus demands infraction and suspension of the norms and expectations that bind (a) society. Tabulate these as Pentheus’ speech captures them.

  sors, -tis, f.	lot, fortune, destiny
  queror, -ri, -stus	to regret, complain, protest
  celo, -are, -avi, -atum	to conceal from view, hide
  pudor, -oris, m.	feeling of shame; dishonour
  inermis, -is, -e	unarmed, lacking military power
  murra, -ae, f.	myrrh
  crinis, -is, m.	hair
  purpura, -ae, f.	shellfish yielding purple dye; purple dye; purple-dyed cloth
  pingo, -ere, pinxi, pictum	to adorn with colour, paint, embroider
  intexo, -ere, -ui, -tum	to weave into, embroider on
  actutum (adverb)	forthwith, immediately
  assumo, -ere, -psi, -ptum	to insert, add; choose for oneself, adopt here: to lay claim to (wrongly)
  comminiscor, -inisci, -entus	to think up, contrive, invent, fabricate
  advena, ae, m./f.	new arrival, foreigner, stranger

  3.562–71

  ite citi’ (famulis hoc imperat), ‘ite ducemque

  attrahite huc vinctum! iussis mora segnis abesto!’

  hunc avus, hunc Athamas, hunc cetera turba suorum

  corripiunt dictis frustraque inhibere laborant. 565

  acrior admonitu est inritaturque retenta

  et crescit rabies moderaminaque ipsa nocebant:

  sic ego torrentem, qua nil obstabat eunti,

  lenius et modico strepitu decurrere vidi;

  at quacumque trabes obstructaque saxa tenebant, 570

  spumeus et fervens et ab obice saevior ibat.

  Study Questions

• Parse ite (562). What is the rhetorical effect of its repetition (ite — ite)?
• What is the rhetorical effect of the parenthesis famulis hoc imperat?
• Parse vinctum (563).
• What noun does the adjective segnis (563) modify?
• Parse abesto (563).
• Ponder Ovid’s use of tense in 564–67: corripiunt — laborant — est —inritatur — crescit — nocebant.
• What noun do the attributes acrior and retenta (566) modify? What is the rhetorical effect of this kind of placement?
• Parse eunti (568). What noun does it modify?
• Parse lenius (569).
• What is the subject of ibat (571)?

  Stylistic Appreciation

• What is the technical term for the repetition of hunc (564)? What is its rhetorical effect here?
• Discuss Ovid’s use of the simile in lines 568–71: how do the components of the simile match up to the surrounding narrative? How does Ovid draw on nature to illustrate an emotional condition?
• Who makes the claim of autopsy (ego … vidi) and what effect does this have?

  Discussion Points

  Does the phenomenon Ovid here describes, i.e. that attempts at diffusing Pentheus’ anger actually worsen his condition, ring psychologically true? Why would that be the case? Can you think of other literary figures (or real-life persons) who manifest similar tendencies?

  famulus, -i, m.	servant, attendant
  attraho, -here, -xi, -ctum	to draw with force, drag in
  vincio, -cire, vinxi, vinctum	to tie up, bind
  [cf. vinco, -ere, vici, victum	to win, conquer]
  mora, -ae, f.	delay
  segnis, -is, -e	slothful, inactive, sluggish
  avus, -i, m.	grandfather
  corripio, -ipere, -ipui, -eptum	to seize, grasp to censure, rebuke, find fault with
  inrito, -are, -avi, -atum	to move to anger, provoke, annoy
  retineo, -ere, -ui, retentum	to hold fast, detain; delay, check
  moderamen, -inis, n.	control
  torrens, -ntis, m.	rushing stream, torrent
  strepitus, -us, m.	noise, clamour, uproar, din, turmoil
  trabs, -bis, f.	tree-trunk, beam
  obstruo, -xi, -ctum	to build before or against; to impede, obstruct, barricade
  saxa obstructa	stones placed in the way
  obex, -icis, m./f.	bar, bolt; barrier, obstacle

  3.572–81

  ecce cruentati redeunt et, Bacchus ubi esset,

  quaerenti domino Bacchum vidisse negarunt;

  ‘hunc’ dixere ‘tamen comitem famulumque sacrorum

  cepimus’ et tradunt manibus post terga ligatis 575

  sacra dei quendam Tyrrhena gente secutum.

  adspicit hunc Pentheus oculis, quos ira tremendos

  fecerat, et quamquam poenae vix tempora differt,

  ‘o periture tuaque aliis documenta dature

  morte’, ait, ‘ede tuum nomen nomenque parentum 580

  et patriam, morisque novi cur sacra frequentes!’

  Study Questions

• Identify and explain the tense and mood of esset (572).
• Parse quaerenti (573).
• Parse negarunt (573). What construction does it introduce?
• Parse dixere (574).
• What is the accusative object of tradunt (575)? And what is the accusative object of the participle secutum (576)?
• What construction is manibus post terga legatis?
• What kind of ablative is Tyrrhena gente (576)?
• What does the et between fecerat and quamquam link (578)?
• Parse periture and dature (579).
• Scan lines 579–80. What noun does the attribute tua modify?
• Parse parentum (580).
• What does the -que after moris link?
• Identify and explain the mood of frequentes (581).

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Discuss the dramatic force of the geminations Bacchus (573) ~ Bacchum (574) and tuum nomen nomenque parentum (580), and of the polyptoton sacrorum (574), sacra dei (576), sacra (581).

  Discussion Points

  Comment on how Ovid handles the theme of sight in these lines. You may wish to focus on lexical items to do with seeing (ecce, vidisse, adspicit, oculis) and words that evoke graphic images (cruentati, tremendos). Who sees what?

  ecce (interjection)	See! Behold! Look! Lo and behold!
  cruento, -are, -avi, -atus	to stain with blood; to pollute with blood-guiltiness
  comes, -itis, m. (f.)	companion
  ligo, -are, -avi, -atum	to fasten, bind, attach
  quidam, quaedam, quiddam	a certain (unspecified) person, someone
  Tyrrhenus, -a, -um	Tuscan, Etruscan
  gens, -tis, f.	race, nation, people; a (Roman) clan
  tremendus, -a, -um	such as to cause dread, awe-inspiring
  differo, -rre, distuli, dilatum	to scatter; to postpone, defer, put off
  documentum, -i, n.	an example (serving as a precedent, warning, instruction)
  edo, -ere, -idi, -itum	to emit; bring forth; utter; declare to make known in words, disclose, tell
  mos, moris, m.	established practice, custom
  frequento, -are, -avi, -atum	to populate, make crowded to visit or attend (a person) constantly to celebrate, observe

  3.582–91

  ille metu vacuus ‘nomen mihi’ dixit ‘Acoetes,

  patria Maeonia est, humili de plebe parentes.

  non mihi quae duri colerent pater arva iuvenci,

  lanigerosve greges, non ulla armenta reliquit; 585

  pauper et ipse fuit linoque solebat et hamis

  decipere et calamo salientis ducere pisces.

  ars illi sua census erat; cum traderet artem,

  ‘accipe, quas habeo, studii successor et heres’,

  dixit ‘opes’, moriensque mihi nihil ille reliquit 590

  praeter aquas: unum hoc possum appellare paternum.

  Study Questions

• What kind of ablative is metu (582)?
• Lines 584–85 jumble a main clause and a relative clause: rewrite in standard prose order.
• What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun quae (584)?
• Identify the subject and the object of colerent (584)
• What is the mood of colerent (584) and why?
• Identify the subject and the (three) accusative objects of reliquit (585).
• What is the direct object of decipere (587)?
• Parse salientis (587). What noun does it agree with?
• What kind of dative is illi (588)?
• What is the accusative object of accipe and the antecedent of quas (589)?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Discuss the devices by which Acoetes manages to take nine lines to say ‘my parents were poor and I inherited nothing’. Can you detect touches of irony, more specifically formulations reminiscent of elevated epic style that are here used to express the unremarkable and the everyday?

  Discussion Points

• What do you make of the presence of words such as plebs (583) and census (588) that evoke the political culture of republican and early imperial Rome?
• What might make you wonder if this sounds like Bacchus, god and metonymy of wine, talking?

  Maeonia, -ae, f.	Lydia Etruria (because the Etruscans were said to be descended from the Lydians)
  humilis, -is, -e	low, base, humble, obscure, poor
  plebs, -bis, f.	the common people, lower class
  iuvencus, -i, m.	a young bullock
  laniger, -gera, -gerum	wool-bearing, fleecy
  grex, gregis, m.	flock, herd; troop, band
  armentum, -i, n.	cattle for ploughing
  pauper, paupera, pauperum	poor
  linum, -i, n.	thread, rope, cable; net
  hamus, -i, m.	hook
  decipio, -ere, -cepi, -ceptum	to catch, ensnare, entrap, beguile
  calamus, -i, m.	reed; object made thereof, such as: fishing-rod
  salio, -ire, salui	to leap, spring, bound
  piscis, -is, m.	fish
  census, -us, m.	a registering and rating of Roman citizens or property hence: wealth, riches, property
  trado, -ere, tradidi, traditum	to hand over, transmit, betray, surrender
  heres, heredis	heir, heiress
  ops, opis, f.	power, might; property, wealth; help
  appello, -are, -avi, -atum	to drive toward, accost to address, speak to, call upon *to call, term, entitle, declare
  paternus, -a, -um	belonging to a father, paternal

  3.592–99

  mox ego, ne scopulis haererem semper in isdem,

  addidici regimen dextra moderante carinae

  flectere et Oleniae sidus pluviale Capellae

  Taygetenque Hyadasque oculis Arctonque notavi 595

  ventorumque domos et portus puppibus aptos.

  forte petens Delon Chiae telluris ad oras

  applicor et dextris adducor litora remis

  doque levis saltus udaeque inmittor harenae:

  Study Questions

• What type of subordinate clause does ne (592) introduce?
• What is the force of ad- in addidici (593)?
• What kind of construction is dextra moderante (593)?
• On what noun does the genitive carinae (593) depend?
• What is the accusative object of flectere (594)?
• Identify the six accusative objects of notavi (595).
• Scan line 599 — how does the scanning help in figuring out grammar and meaning?
• Identify and explain the voice of applicor (598), adducor (598) and immittor (599).

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Acoetes continues to take long to say little. Discuss the techniques by which he beefs up ‘I learned to be a helmsman and happened to land on Chios’.

  Discussion Points

  Can you identify the stars and constellations Ovid mentions here on a star-chart? Why has he chosen those and not others? Do they add up to a coherent picture?

  scopulus, -i, m.	rock, cliff, crag
  haereo, -ere, haesi, haesum	to hang, stick, cleave, cling, sit fast
  addisco, -scere, -dici (here + inf.)	to learn in addition, learn further
  moderor, -ari, -atus	to moderate, temper; guide, govern
  regimen, -inis, n.	here: ‘steering-oar’
  Olenius, -a, -um [= Gk Ôlenios]	Olenian, poetic for Achaian
  pluvialis, -is, -e	rainy
  capella, -ae, f.	she-goat; star in the constellation Auriga
  Taygete, -es, f.	a daughter of Atlas and Pleione one of the Pleiades
  Hyades, -um, f.	the Hyades (a group of seven stars) daughters of Atlas, sisters of the Pleiades
  Arctos, -i, f.	Great and Lesser Bear, North Pole
  puppis, -is, f.	stern; ship
  forte (adverb; from fors)	perchance
  Chius, -a, -um	of the island Chios, Chian
  applico, -are, -avi, -atum (ad) here middle/passive:	to bring into contact, put in (at) (of persons): to land (at)
  adduco, -cere, -xi, -ctum here middle/passive:	to lead or bring (of persons): to sail (a ship) to
  levis, -is, -e	light (with short -e-) [contrast lêvis = smooth]
  saltus, -us, m.	a jump, leap
  udus, -a, -um	wet, moist, damp, humid
  immitto, -ittere, -isi, -issum middle/passive (+ dat.):	to cause to go, send to throw oneself, leap (on or into)

  3.600–10

  nox ibi consumpta est; aurora rubescere primo 600

  coeperat: exsurgo laticesque inferre recentis

  admoneo monstroque viam, quae ducat ad undas;

  ipse quid aura mihi tumulo promittat ab alto

  prospicio comitesque voco repetoque carinam.

  “adsumus en” inquit sociorum primus Opheltes, 605

  utque putat, praedam deserto nactus in agro,

  virginea puerum ducit per litora forma.

  ille mero somnoque gravis titubare videtur

  vixque sequi; specto cultum faciemque gradumque:

  nil ibi, quod credi posset mortale, videbam. 610

  Study Questions

• Identify and explain the mood of ducat (602).
• Identify and explain the mood of promittat (603).
• What kind of clause does ut (606) introduce? (Consider the mood of putat.)
• What does the -que after ut (606) link?
• What kind of ablative is virginea … forma?
• What kind of ablatives are mero and somno?
• Parse credi (610).
• Identify and explain the mood of posset (610).

  Stylistic Appreciation

• Analyze the rhetorical design of 601 (exsurgo...) — 604 (...carinam), paying particular attention to symmetry and order.
• Analyze the design of 607 and the gender-issues it raises.

  Discussion Points

• Why does Opheltes believe that a beautiful, intoxicated young boy they chanced upon in an empty field makes for a suitable victim of kidnapping? What kind of character/ society does his reaction evoke?
• How does Acoetes identify Bacchus?

  consumo, -ere, -sumpsi, -sumptum	to take up, consume; of time: to spend, pass
  rubesco, -ere, rubui	to grow red, turn red, redden
  exsurgo, -ere, surrexi	to rise up, get up
  latex, -icis, m.	liquid, fluid, water
  recens, -entis	fresh, young, recent
  promitto, -ere, -misi, -missum	to send/ put forth to forebode, foretell, predict to promise, hold out, cause to expect
  prospicio, -ere, -exi, -ectum	to look forward/ into the distance to look out, exercise foresight, discern
  en (interjection)	lo! behold! see! see there!
  nanciscor, -i, nactus/ nanctus	to get, obtain; meet with, stumble on
  virgineus, -a, -um	maidenly, virginal
  merum, -i, n.	pure, unmixed wine
  titubo, -are, -avi, -atum	to stagger, totter, reel
  cultus, -us, m.	care, cultivation, refinement, style style of dress, external appearance, garb
  gradus, -us, m.	step, pace

  3.611–20

  et sensi et dixi sociis: “quod numen in isto

  corpore sit, dubito; sed corpore numen in isto est!

  quisquis es, o faveas nostrisque laboribus adsis;

  his quoque des veniam!” “pro nobis mitte precari!”

  Dictys ait, quo non alius conscendere summas 615

  ocior antemnas prensoque rudente relabi.

  hoc Libys, hoc flavus, prorae tutela, Melanthus,

  hoc probat Alcimedon et, qui requiemque modumque

  voce dabat remis, animorum hortator, Epopeus,

  hoc omnes alii: praedae tam caeca cupido est. 620

  Study Questions

• Explain why sit (612) is in the subjunctive.
• Explain why faveas, adsis (613), and des (614) are in the subjunctive.
• Parse mitte (614).
• What kind of ablative is the relative pronoun quo (615)?
• What is the verb of the relative clause introduced by quo (615–16)?
• How do the infinitives conscendere (615) and relabi (616) fit into the syntax of the sentence?
• What kind of construction is prenso rudente (616)?
• What does the -que after prenso (616) link?
• Explain the syntax of prorae tutela (617) and animorum hortator (619).
• Identify the five subjects (and four accusative objects) of probat (618).
• What is the antecedent of qui (618)?
• What type of genitive is praedae (620)?

  dubito, -are, -avi, -atum	to be uncertain, be in doubt, waver
  faveo, -ere, favi, fautum	to be favourable, be well disposed
  venia, -ae, f.	indulgence, kindness; permission; forbearance, pardon, forgiveness
  conscendere, -ere, -i, -nsum	to mount, ascend; to embark
  antemna, -ae, f.	a sail yard
  prendo, -ere, -di, -sum	to lay hold of, grasp, snatch, seize
  rudens, -entis, m.	rope, line, cord
  relabor, -bi, -lapsus	to slide or glide back; slide down
  flavus, -a, -um	golden-yellow, blond
  prora, -ae, f.	forepart of a ship, prow
  tutela, -ae, f.	charge, care, safeguard; guardianship keeper, warder, guardian
  remus, -i, m.	oar

  Stylistic Appreciation

• What is the term for the stylistic device that Ovid uses in 611–12 quod numen in isto corpore sit, dubito; sed corpore numen in isto est! What is its effect here?
• What is the technical term for, and the rhetorical effect of, the fourfold repetition of hoc in 617–20?
• How does Ovid generate interest in the catalogue of the members of the crew?
• Why is flavus … Melanthus (617) funny?
• What kind of figure is prorae tutela (617)?
• How does Ovid use style to reinforce the contrast between Acoetes and his crew?

  Discussion Points

  Discuss the psychology/ motivation behind the positions of Acoetes and the rest of crew. Consider the social dynamics that unfold here, with one lone voice taking a principled if seemingly hopeless stance against the rest. Where else in ancient and modern literature do we find this situation?

  3.621–33

  “non tamen hanc sacro violari pondere pinum

  perpetiar” dixi; “pars hic mihi maxima iuris”

  inque aditu obsisto: furit audacissimus omni

  de numero Lycabas, qui Tusca pulsus ab urbe

  exilium dira poenam pro caede luebat; 625

  is mihi, dum resto, iuvenali guttura pugno

  rupit et excussum misisset in aequora, si non

  haesissem, quamvis amens, in fune retentus.

  inpia turba probat factum; tum denique Bacchus

  (Bacchus enim fuerat), veluti clamore solutus 630

  sit sopor aque mero redeant in pectora sensus,

  “quid facitis? quis clamor?” ait “qua, dicite, nautae,

  huc ope perveni? quo me deferre paratis?”

  Study Questions

• What noun does the demonstrative adjective hanc (621) modify?
• Parse perpetiar (622).
• What is the verb in the clause pars hic mihi maxima iuris (622)?
• Identify and explain the case of mihi (622).
• What kind of genitive is iuris (622)? On what noun does it depend?
• What kind of ablative is iuvenali … pugno (626)?
• What kind of condition does si non (627) introduce? What is the apodosis?
• What is the main verb of the sentence that starts with tum denique Bacchus (629)?
• What kind of ablative is clamore (630)?
• What does the -que after the preposition a (631) link?
• What noun does the interrogative adjective qua (632) modify?

  Stylistic Appreciation

• Discuss how the Latin re-enacts the way Bacchus gradually emerges out of his drunken stupor.
• Is there a point to the s-alliteration solutus | sit sopor … sensus?

  Discussion Points

  Why do things turn violent?

  pinus, -us (and -i), f.	pine, pine-tree; anything made of pine-wood; ship
  perpetior, -ti, -ssus	to suffer to the full; tolerate, put up with
  aditus, -us, m.	approach, entry, entrance
  obsisto, -ere, -stiti, -stitum	to set oneself before; to oppose, resist
  pello, -ere, -pepuli, pulsus	to strike; here: to drive into exile, banish
  Tuscus, -a, -um	of Etruria or its inhabitants, Etruscan
  luo, -ere, lui	to pay a debt or penalty
  luere poenam/ poenas	to suffer/ undergo as punishment
  resto, -are, restiti	to stop behind; to withstand, resist, oppose
  iuvenalis, -is, -e	youthful
  guttur, -uris, n.	gullet, throat
  pugnus, -i, m.	fist
  rumpo, -ere, rupi, ruptum	to break, burst, tear, rend, rupture
  excutio, -tere, -ssi, -ssum	to shake off, throw
  funis, -is, m.	rope, cord
  quamvis	(adv.) ever so much, exceedingly; (conj.) although, albeit
  retineo, -ere, -ui, -tentum	to hold/ keep back, not let go, hold fast
  solvo, -ere, solvi, solutum	to free, set free, release
  sopor, -oris, m.	sleep; drowsiness
  defero, -ferre, -tuli, -latum	to bear or bring away; impeach, accuse

  3.634–43

  “pone metum” Proreus, “et quos contingere portus

  ede velis!” dixit; “terra sistere petita”. 635

  “Naxon” ait Liber “cursus advertite vestros!

  illa mihi domus est, vobis erit hospita tellus”.

  per mare fallaces perque omnia numina iurant

  sic fore meque iubent pictae dare vela carinae.

  dextera Naxos erat: dextra mihi lintea danti 640

  “quid facis, o demens? quis te furor”, inquit “Acoete”,

  pro se quisque, “tenet? laevam pete!” maxima nutu

  pars mihi significat, pars quid velit ore susurro.

  Study Questions

• Parse pone (634) and ede (635).
• What does the et in line 634 link?
• What kind of subordinate clause does quos introduce? What noun does it modify? What are the subject and the verb of the subordinate clause?
• Parse velis (635).
• Scan line 635 and parse terra and sistere.
• What kind of accusative is Naxon?
• What kinds of dative are mihi and vobis (637)?
• What kind of clause does iurant (638) introduce?
• Parse fore (639).
• What kind of clause does iubent (639) introduce?
• Parse danti (640).
• What case is demens (641) in?
• Why is velit (643) in the subjunctive?

  contingo, -ere, -tigi, -tactum	to touch, take hold of, seize to reach, come to, arrive at, meet with
  hospes, -itis, m./ hospita, -ae, f.	host; guest used adjectively: hospitable
  fallax, -acis	deceitful, deceptive
  pingo, -ere, pinxi, pictum	to adorn with colour, paint, embroider
  linteum, -i, n.	linen cloth; sail
  nutus, -us, m.	a nod
  significo, -are, -avi, -atum	to show (by signs), point out, intimate
  os, oris, n.	mouth
  susurrus, -a, -um	muttering, whispering

  Stylistic Appreciation

  This is a highly ‘dramatic’ sequence, with a lot of direct speech (including imperatives and vocatives) along with whispering and accompanying gestures and movements. One way to appreciate the theatrical quality is to reconceive the passage as a script with stage directions:

  Proreus (fallaciter): ‘pone metum et ede quos portus contingere velis! terra petita sistere’.

  Liber: ‘Cursus vestros Naxon advertite! illa mihi domus est, tellus vobis hospita erit’.

  Omnes (fallaciter): ‘per mare et per omnia numina sic fore iuramus. Acoete, vela da ventis!’

  Pro se quisque (pars nutu, pars ore susurro): ‘quid facis, o demens? quis te furor, Acoete, tenet? laevam pete!’

  Discussion Points

  The action that unfolds here resembles a farce, mime, or comedy — that is, dramatic genres of slapstick-entertainment value that are far less elevated than epic or tragedy. Why do you think Ovid lets rip like this in terms of his generic registers?

  3.644–55

  obstipui “capiat”que “aliquis moderamina!” dixi

  meque ministerio scelerisque artisque removi. 645

  increpor a cunctis, totumque inmurmurat agmen;

  e quibus Aethalion “te scilicet omnis in uno

  nostra salus posita est!” ait et subit ipse meumque

  explet opus Naxoque petit diversa relicta.

  tum deus inludens, tamquam modo denique fraudem 650

  senserit, e puppi pontum prospectat adunca

  et flenti similis “non haec mihi litora, nautae,

  promisistis” ait, “non haec mihi terra rogata est!

  quo merui poenam facto? quae gloria vestra est,

  si puerum iuvenes, si multi fallitis unum?” 655

  Study Questions

• What does the que after capiat (644) link? What the -que after me (645)?
• Parse te (647).
• What is the rhetorical force of scilicet (647)?
• What kind of construction is Naxo … relicta (649)?
• What is the main verb of the sentence that begins with tum deus (650)?
• Parse senserit (651) and explain the mood.
• What does the et at the beginning of line 652 link?
• What noun does the attribute adunca (651) modify?
• Parse flenti (652).
• What kinds (plural!) of dative are mihi in 652 and mihi in 653?
• What noun does the interrogative adjective quo modify (654)? What case is it in?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Discuss the rhetorical devices Bacchus uses to express his outrage at the crew’s treachery, with particular attention to the design of 655.

  Discussion Points

  Can you think of other moments in literature (or other media, such as cinema) in which an all-powerful character initially ‘plays possum’ or feigns naïveté when set upon by a gang of toughs, only to emerge victoriously? What makes this scenario so attractive?

  obstipesco, -ere, obstipui	to be stupefied; be amazed; struck dumb
  moderamen, -inis, n.	means of managing; rudder, helm
  ministerium, -ii, n.	office, function, service; administration
  increpo, -are, increpui, increpitum	to make a noise; to upbraid loudly, chide
  immurmuro, -are, -avi, -atum	to murmur in, at, or against
  agmen, -inis, n.	multitude (in motion), group, band, army
  scilicet (adverb)	it is evident, clear, plain, manifest of course, naturally, undoubtedly ironically: of course, doubtless, forsooth
  subeo, -ire, -ii, -itum	to come or go under; to take the place of
  expleo, -ere, -evi, -etum	to fill up; to complete, finish
  diversus, -a, -um	different, opposite, contrary, conflicting
  inludo, -ere, -si, -sum	to mock, ridicule; to play at
  tamquam	as if
  fraus, fraudis, f.	deceit, fraud, deception; offence, crime
  puppis, -is, f.	the hinder part of the ship, stern
  pontus, -i, m.	the sea
  aduncus, -a, -um	hooked; curved
  fleo, -ere, flevi, fletum	to weep, cry, shed tears
  similis, -e (with gen. or, as here, dat.)	like, resembling, similar
  mereo, -ere, -ui, -itum	to deserve, merit, be entitled to; earn
  fallo, -ere, fefelli, falsum	to deceive, trick, dupe, cheat

  3.656–65

  iamdudum flebam: lacrimas manus inpia nostras

  ridet et inpellit properantibus aequora remis.

  per tibi nunc ipsum (nec enim praesentior illo

  est deus) adiuro, tam me tibi vera referre

  quam veri maiora fide: stetit aequore puppis 660

  haud aliter quam si siccum navale teneret.

  illi admirantes remorum in verbere perstant

  velaque deducunt geminaque ope currere temptant:

  inpediunt hederae remos nexuque recurvo

  serpunt et gravidis distinguunt vela corymbis. 665

  Study Questions

• Explain the tense of flebam.
• What kind of construction is properantibus … remis (657)?
• What word does the preposition per (658) govern?
• What kind of ablative is illo (658)?
• What is the subject accusative, what the infinitive of the indirect statement introduced by adiuro (659)?
• What are the two accusative objects of referre (659)?
• What kind of ablative is fide (660)?
• Explain the mood of teneret (661).
• On what noun does the genitive remorum (662) depend?
• What is the subject of inpediunt (664), serpunt (665) and distinguunt (665)?

  Stylistic Appreciation

• Analyze the rhetorical design of lines 662–65, with special attention to stylistic symmetries.
• Scan line 662 and explore possible links between metre and sense.

  Discussion Points

  What are the rhetorical strategies Acoetes employs to render the incredible truthful? Compare them to those found in other texts (such as the Bible) that are invested in portraying divine interventions in human life that defy empirical plausibility as historical facts.

  iamdudum	long since, a long time ago
  fleo, -ere, flevi, fletum	to weep, cry, shed tears; bewail, lament
  propero, -are, -avi, -atum	to hasten, quicken; make haste
  adiuro, -are, -avi, -atum	to swear to, confirm by oath
  verum, -i, n.	what is true or real; the truth, reality, fact
  fides, -ei, f.	faith, confidence, credence, belief trustworthiness, faithfulness, credibility
  siccus, -a, -um	dry
  navale, -is, n.	dock, dockyard
  verber, -eris, n.	lash, whip, scourge, rod; stroke, blow
  persto, -are, -stiti	to stand firm, continue; persist
  deduco, -ere, -xi, -ctum	to lead, fetch, bring down
  geminus, -a, -um	born at the same time, twin-born paired, double, both, two
  impedio, -ire, -ivi, -itum	to entangle, ensnare, shackle, hamper to hold fast, detain, obstruct
  hedera, -ae, f.	ivy
  recurvus, -a, -um	bent back on itself, bent round
  serpo, -ere, -si	to crawl [cf. serpens, -ntis: snake]
  gravidus, -a, -um	pregnant; laden, filled, full
  distinguo, -guere, -xi, -ctum	to divide off, mark out; embellish, adorn
  corymbus, -i, m.	a cluster of ivy-berries

  3.666–75

  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

  3.676–86

  at Libys obstantis dum vult obvertere remos,

  in spatium resilire manus breve vidit et illas

  iam non posse manus, iam pinnas posse vocari.

  alter ad intortos cupiens dare bracchia funes

  bracchia non habuit truncoque repandus in undas 680

  corpore desiluit: falcata novissima cauda est,

  qualia dividuae sinuantur cornua lunae.

  undique dant saltus multaque adspergine rorant

  emerguntque iterum redeuntque sub aequora rursus

  inque chori ludunt speciem lascivaque iactant 685

  corpora et acceptum patulis mare naribus efflant.

  Study Questions

• Parse and scan obstantis (676). What noun does it modify? How does metre reinforce meaning?
• Parse manus (677) and explain its syntactical function in the sentence.
• What noun does the attribute breve (677) agree with?
• What construction does vidit (677) introduce?
• What noun does the attribute dividuae (682) modify?
• Parse saltus (683).
• On what noun does the genitive chori (685) depend?

  Stylistic Appreciation

• Discuss the ways in which Ovid represents the disappearance of human anatomy — and the appearance of dolphinesque features.
• How do lines 683–86 enact the frolicking of dolphins in the sea?

  Discussion Points

  Has the transformation into dolphins also altered the character of the sailors?

  obverto, -ere, -ti, -sum	to turn towards/ against; direct towards
  resilio, -ire, -ui (-ii)	to jump back, rebound, shrink
  penna, ae f. / pinna, ae f.	feather, wing; fin
  intorqueo, -ere, -torsi, -tortum	to twist, turn round; brandish, hurl
  intortus, -a, -um	twisted (made by twisting) involved, entwined
  bracchium, -ii, n.	arm, forearm (from hand to elbow)
  funis, -is, m.	rope
  truncus, -a, -um	maimed, mutilated, disfigured
  repandus, -a, -um	bent backwards, turned up
  falcatus, -a, -um [from falx: sickle]	armed with scythes; sickle-shaped, curved
  cauda, -ae, f.	tail
  dividuus, -a, -um	divided, separated; with luna: half-moon
  sinuo, -are, -avi, -atum	to bend, wind, curve
  roro, -are, -avi, -atum [ros + o]	(intr.) to shed moisture, to drizzle
  aspergo, -ginis f.	action of sprinkling; what is sprinkled here: spraying
  rursus (adverb)	back again, again
  chorus, -i, m.	dance; chorus
  species, -ei, f.	sight, appearance
  in speciem	so as to give an appearance/ impression
  lascivus, -a, -um	playful, frisky, frolicsome; mischievous
  patulus, -a, -um	wide-open, gaping
  accipio, -ere, accepi, acceptum	to take, receive
  efflo, -are, -avi, -atum	to blow out, breathe out

  3.687–95

  de modo viginti (tot enim ratis illa ferebat)

  restabam solus: pavidum gelidoque trementem

  corpore vixque meo firmat deus “excute” dicens

  “corde metum Dianque tene!” delatus in illam 690

  accessi sacris Baccheaque sacra frequento’.

  ‘Praebuimus longis’ Pentheus ‘ambagibus aures’,

  inquit ‘ut ira mora vires absumere posset.

  praecipitem, famuli, rapite hunc cruciataque diris

  corpora tormentis Stygiae demittite nocti!’ 695

  Study Questions

• What is the accusative object of ferebat (687)?
• What kind of ablative is corde (690)?
• What words does the -que after Diam link?
• Parse tene (690).
• Scan line 691. Why does the -e- in Bacchea scan long?
• Scan line 693. What case is ira, what case mora?
• What case is famuli (694)?
• What does the -que after cruciata link?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  How does Ovid bring out Pentheus’ pent-up anger?

  Discussion Points

  Does Pentheus have a point when he calls Acoetes’ story ‘a long-winded runaround’ (cf. longis … ambagibus)?

  viginti (numeral adjective, indeclinable)	twenty
  modo (adverb)	only, merely; of time just passed: a moment ago
  ratis, -is, f.	a wooden vessel, raft, boat
  tremo, -ere, -ui	to shake, quake, quiver, tremble
  firmo, -are, -avi, -atum	to strengthen, fortify, support, encourage
  excutio, -ere, -cussi, -cussum	to shake out or off; remove, banish
  cor, cordis, n.	heart
  Dia, -ae, f.	an old name for the island of Naxos
  defero, -ferre, -tuli, -latum	to bear, carry, bring; transfer, deliver
  accedo, -ere, -essi, -cessum	to go/ come near, approach; enter upon
  Baccheus, -a, -um	of Bacchus, Bacchic
  praebeo, -ere, -ui, -itum	to hold forth, reach out; give, furnish
  ambages, -is, f.	a going around, roundabout way circumlocution, evasion, riddle
  auris, -is, f.	ear [not to be confused with aura, -ae, f. = breeze]
  absumo, -ere, -psi, -ptum	to use up, consume, exhaust
  praeceps, -ipitis	headlong, impetuous
  crucio, -are, -avi, -atum	to put to the rack, torture, torment
  dirus, -a, -um	fearful, awful; ill-omened, ominous
  Stygius, -a, -um	Stygian, hellish, infernal
  demitto, -ittere, -isi, -issum	to let fall, make descend, send down

  3.696–707

  protinus abstractus solidis Tyrrhenus Acoetes

  clauditur in tectis; et dum crudelia iussae

  instrumenta necis ferrumque ignesque parantur,

  sponte sua patuisse fores lapsasque lacertis

  sponte sua fama est nullo solvente catenas. 700

  perstat Echionides, nec iam iubet ire, sed ipse

  vadit ubi electus facienda ad sacra Cithaeron

  cantibus et clara bacchantum voce sonabat.

  ut fremit acer equus, cum bellicus aere canoro

  signa dedit tubicen pugnaeque adsumit amorem, 705

  Penthea sic ictus longis ululatibus aether

  movit, et audito clamore recanduit ira.

  Study Questions

• What noun does the attribute solidis (696) modify? How does the word order enact meaning?
• Parse iussae (697). What noun does it agree with?
• What type of ablative is lacertis (699)?
• What does the -que after lapsas (699) link?
• Identify the two subject accusatives and the two infinitives of the indirect statement introduced by fama est (700).
• What construction is nullo solvente (700)?
• Parse bacchantum (703).
• What noun does the attribute bellicus (704) modify?
• What kind of genitive is pugnae (705)?
• Parse ictus (706). What noun does it agree with?
• What type of ablative is longis ululatibus (706)?
• What kind of construction is audito clamore (707)?

  Stylistic Appreciation

• How does Ovid generate a sense of marvel at the liberation of Acoetes?
• Discuss the illustrative value of the simile in lines 704–05.

  Discussion Points

  Profile Pentheus’ state of mind. Why does he remain unimpressed by the miraculous liberation of Acoetes? What makes him rush to his doom on Mount Cithaeron?

  protinus	right on, straightaway, immediately
  abstraho, -here, -xi, -ctum	to drag away, remove forcibly
  sponte sua	of itself, spontaneously
  foris, -is, mainly in plural: fores, -um, f.	door, gate
  labor, -bi, -psus	to move, glide; to slip, fall
  lacertus, -i, m.	upper arm (from shoulder to elbow)
  catena, -ae, f.	fetter, shackle, chain
  persto, -are, -stiti	to stand firmly, remain steadfast, persist
  vado, -ere	to go, walk, rush
  Cithairon/ Cithaeron, -onis, m.	Cithaeron (mountain in Boeotia)
  eligo, -igere, -egi, -ectum	to select, choose, pick out
  bacchor, -ari, -atus	to celebrate the rites of Bacchus, to act like a Bacchante, rave, rage
  fremo, -ere, -ui, -itum	to roar, resound, growl, grumble
  canorus, -a, -um	melodious, euphonious
  tubicen, -cinis, m.	a trumpeter
  icio, -ere, -i, -tum	to strike, smite
  recandesco, -ere, -dui	to grow white/ hot (again), glow

  3.708–18

  monte fere medio est, cingentibus ultima silvis,

  purus ab arboribus, spectabilis undique, campus:

  hic oculis illum cernentem sacra profanis 710

  prima videt, prima est insano concita cursu,

  prima suum misso violavit Penthea thyrso

  mater et ‘o geminae’ clamavit ‘adeste sorores!

  ille aper, in nostris errat qui maximus agris,

  ille mihi feriendus aper’. ruit omnis in unum 715

  turba furens; cunctae coeunt trepidumque sequuntur,

  iam trepidum, iam verba minus violenta loquentem,

  iam se damnantem, iam se peccasse fatentem.

  Study Questions

• What is the subject of the sentence starting monte fere medio est... (708–09)?
• What kind of construction is cingentibus ultima silvis (708)? How does ultima fit in?
• What is the subject of the sentence starting hic oculis... (710–13)?
• What kind of construction does videt (711) govern?
• What kind of construction is misso … thyrso (712)?
• What type of dative is mihi (715)?
• What construction does fatentem introduce (718)?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  How does Ovid rhetorically embellish the final show down between Pentheus and his mother (as well as the rest of the Maenads)?

  Discussion Points

  Discuss the drama of sight that plays itself out in these lines: who sees whom seeing what from where? Should the transformative visions induced by madness and hallucination count as types of metamorphosis?

  mons, -ntis, m.	mountain
  cingo, -ere, -xi, -nctum	to circle, surround, encompass
  purus, -a, -um	clean, free, clear; undefiled, unstained
  spectabilis, -is, -e	that may be seen; visible
  undique (adverb)	from all parts, on all sides
  hîc (adverb of place)	in this place, here
  concieo, -ciere, -civi, -citum	to urge, bring or assemble together to move violently, shake, stir up, rouse
  thyrsus, -i, m.	Bacchic staff, thyrsus
  geminus, -a, -um	born at the same time, twin-born paired, double, both, *two
  aper, -pri, m.	boar
  ferio, -ire	to knock, strike; to slay, kill
  pecco, -are, -avi, -atum	to transgress, commit a fault, offend
  fateor, -eri, fassus	to confess, own, grant

  3.719–28

  saucius ille tamen ‘fer opem, matertera’ dixit

  ‘Autonoe! moveant animos Actaeonis umbrae!’ 720

  illa, quis Actaeon, nescit dextramque precantis

  abstulit, Inoo lacerata est altera raptu.

  non habet infelix quae matri bracchia tendat,

  trunca sed ostendens dereptis vulnera membris

  ‘adspice, mater!’ ait. visis ululavit Agave 725

  collaque iactavit movitque per aera crinem

  avulsumque caput digitis conplexa cruentis

  clamat: ‘io comites, opus hoc victoria nostra est!’

  Study Questions

• Parse fer (719).
• Explain the tense and mood of moveant (720). What is its subject?
• What verb needs to be supplied with quis Actaeon (721)?
• Parse precantis (721).
• What noun does the adjective Inoo (722) modify?
• What noun has to be supplied mentally after altera (722)?
• What is the accusative object of habet and antecedent of quae (723)?
• What noun does trunca (724) modify?
• What construction is dereptis … membris (724)?
• What kind of ablative is visis?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Compare Ovid’s techniques in describing the dismemberment of Pentheus with those used in contemporary splatter-movies.

  Discussion Points

  What are the ethics of depicting extreme forms of violence? Is there an aesthetics of the gruesome? Is Ovid’s description of Pentheus’ dismemberment entertaining — or even witty? Or rather grotesque and revolting?

  saucius, -a, -um	wounded, hurt, injured
  matertera, ae, f.	aunt (a mother’s sister)
  Actaeon, -onis, m.	Actaeon
  umbra, -ae, f.	shade, shadow; shade, ghost
  aufero, auferre, abstuli, ablatum	to take off, carry off, remove, snatch off
  Inous, -a, -um	of or belonging to Ino
  lacero, -are, -avi, -atum	to tear to pieces, mangle, rend, mutilate
  raptus, -us, m.	a carrying off by force; violent rending
  truncus, -a, -um	maimed, mutilated, mangled, disfigured
  deripio, -ere, -ripui, -reptum	to tear off, tear away, remove violently
  visum, i, n. (ppp of video)	something seen, sight, appearance, vision
  collum, -i, n.	neck
  iacto, -are, -avi, -atum	to throw, scatter; to toss, shake
  avello, -ere, -velli, -vulsum	to pull off/ away, to rend off, tear away
  digitus, -i, m.	finger
  cruentus, -a, -um	stained with blood, bloody
  complector, complecti, complexus	to entwine; to clasp, embrace

  3.729–33

  non citius frondes autumni frigore tactas

  iamque male haerentes alta rapit arbore ventus, 730

  quam sunt membra viri manibus direpta nefandis.

  talibus exemplis monitae nova sacra frequentant

  turaque dant sanctasque colunt Ismenides aras.

  Study Questions

• Parse citius (729).
• What are the subject and the verb of the sentence starting with non citius... (729–30)?
• What kind of ablative is alta … arbore (730)?
• What kind of ablative is manibus … nefandis (731)?
• What is the subject of the sentence starting with talibus exemplis... (732–33)?

  Stylistic Appreciation

  Assess the explanatory value and the appropriateness of the simile Ovid uses to illustrate Pentheus’ dismemberment.

  Discussion Points

  Why does Ovid turn the doom of Pentheus into an exemplum that stimulates religious worship — despite the fact that he stated earlier that the Theban king was the only one in Thebes who refused to honour Bacchus with cultic veneration? (Note that Ovid specifies the Theban women as the ones taught Bacchus’ lesson.) What do you make of a religion/ divinity who practises this sort of didacticism? Are there hints in the text that Ovid disapproves of Pentheus’ punishment?

  autumnus, -i, m.	autumn
  frigor, -oris, m.	cold
  tango, -ere, tetigi, tactum	to touch, take hold of
  diripio, -ere, -pui, direptum	to tear asunder/ in pieces, lay waste
  moneo, -ere, -ui, monitum	to remind; to admonish, advice, warn; to instruct, teach
  tus, turis, n.	incense, frankincense
  Ismenis, -idis, f.	a Theban woman [from Ismenus, a river of Boeotia near Thebes]