Aeneid 1:34-39 Course Notes

Latin IV:  Vergil, Aeneid

Instructor:  James Ransom

June 1, 2014

Aeneid 1:34-39

Course Notes
© 2014 James Ransom, M.A., J.D.

Vix e conspectu Siculae telluris in altum
vela dabant laeti, et spumas salis aere ruebant,               35
cum Iuno, aeternum servans sub pectore volnus,
haec secum: 'Mene incepto desistere victam,
nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem?
Quippe vetor fatis.

Vix e conspectu Siculae telluris in altum
vela dabant laeti, et spumas salis aere ruebant,

Their view of Sicily now just a glaze

through salty mist, the crew sailed on in joy,

the ship’s bronze knifing through the rushing waves;

 “dabant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of do, dare, dedi, datum.  “ruebant” is third person plural imperfect indicative active of ruo, ruere, rui, rutum, “to hurry, rush, to fall, fall down.” 

The adverb “vix”=”scarcely, just as.”  “conspectu”=perfect passive participle (in ablative absolute construction” of conspicio, conspicere, conspexi, conspectum, “to watch, gaze.”  “Siculae”:  genitive feminine singular of the adjective Siculus, Sicula, Siculum, “of or pertaining to Sicily.”  “telluris” is genitive singular of tellus, telluris, f. (3^rd), “ground, earth.” The preposition “in”+accusative “altum”=”into the deep.”  “vela” is accusative plural of velum, veli, n., “sail.”  The adjective “laeti”=”joyfully, happily”; see Ganiban note 35.  “spumas” is accusative plural of spuma, spumae, f., “foam, froth.”  “salis” genitive singular of sal, salis, m. (3^rd).  “aere” is 

cum Iuno, aeternum servans sub pectore volnus,
haec secum: 'Mene incepto desistere victam,

Then Juno, heart diseased with endless hate:

“Oh, I’m supposed to fold without a fight?

“servans” is present participle of servo, servare, servavi, servatum, “protect, guard, maintain.”

“cum Iuno”:  temporal force, “when Juno..”  “aeternum” modifies “volnus.” “volnus” is neuter accusative singular of volnus, volneris, n. (3^rd), “wound.”  The adjective “aeternum” is neuter accusative singular of aeternus, aeterna, aeternum (1^st/2^nd).   “sub pectore”:  ablative of place.

“incepto” is first person singular present indicative active of incepto, inceptare, inceptavi, inceptatum, “to begin, to undertake, to quarrel.”  “desistere” is present infinitive of desisto, desistere, destiti, destitum, “to stand apart, cease, desist.”

“victam” is accusative feminine singular of the perfect passive participle of vinco, vincere, vici, victum, “to conquer.”

“haec secum”:  supply the verb.  “Mene= “me” + postpositive “ne.” 

nec posse Italia Teucrorum avertere regem?
Quippe vetor fatis.

A new Troy must arise in Italy?

The so-called “Fates” say so—is that a fact?  

“posse” is present infinitive of possum, posse, potui.  “avertere” is present infinitive of averto, avertere, aversi, avertus, “turn away.””vetor” is first person singular present indicative passive of veto, vetare, vetui, vetitum, “to forbid, oppose, veto.” 

The conjunction “nec” means “neither, nor.”  “Italia” is ablative of Italia, Italiae, f. (1^st).  Ablative of separation.  “Teucrorum” is genitive of Teucri, Teucrorum, m., “the Trojans.”  “regem” is accusative singular of rex, regis, m. (3^rd).   

The conjunction “quippe”= “surely, indeed” (here with ironic intent on Juno’s part).  “fatis” is ablative plural of fatum, fati, n. (2^nd), “fate.”