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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]

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