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Often appears with: fate, destiny, and necessity · religious persecution and toleration · strategy and the aims of war · battle and tactics · conquest, plunder, and captives · naval warfare and sea power · diplomacy and embassies · providence and divine governance · siege and fortification · justice as a virtue · the fear of death · prayer and worship
Usually: narrative (217) · curiosity (123) · wonder (102) · detachment (74) · skepticism (74) · crisis of belief (64) · confronting death (53) · sudden reversal of fortune (50) · the test or trial (42) · argument (39)
“An atom absorbs or emits light of a frequency which is dependent on the potential of the gravitational field in which it is situated.” Albert Einstein, Relativity: The Special and General Theory · precept
“From this ill-omen’d hour in time arose Debate and death, and all succeeding woes.” Virgil, The Aeneid · observation
“Things done relates, not done she feigns, and mingles truth with lies.” Virgil, The Aeneid · observation
“Perpetual hate and mortal wars proclaim, Against the prince, the people, and the name.” Virgil, The Aeneid · precept
“My goddess mother, whose indulgent care / Foresaw the dangers of the growing war, / This omen gave, when bright Vulcanian arms, / Fated from force of steel by Stygian charms, / Suspended, shone on high:” Virgil, The Aeneid · insight
“Tempest there was, of wind and thunder black, With rain and hail, so much could not be spanned; Fell thunderbolts often on every hand, And verily the earth quaked in answer back... In full mid-day the darkness was so grand, Save the sky split, no light was in the land.” Anonymous (Old French epic), The Song of Roland · vivid
“Therefore a second time Philippi saw The Roman hosts with kindred weapons rush To battle, nor did the high gods deem it hard That twice Emathia and the wide champaign Of Haemus should be fattening with our blood.” Virgil, The Georgics · observation
“for there I am resolved to go before I engage in another adventure, and there I shall obtain the blessing and generous permission of the peerless Dulcinea” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · precept
“The wise man and the Christian should not trifle with what it may please heaven to do. Scipio on coming to Africa stumbled as he leaped on shore; his soldiers took it as a bad omen; but he, clasping the soil with his arms, exclaimed, ‘Thou canst not escape me, Africa, for I hold thee tight between my arms.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“There, señor! there are the omens broken and destroyed, and they have no more to do with our affairs, to my thinking, fool as I am, than with last year’s clouds.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · precept
“Your city, which is full Of envy so that now the sack runs over, Held me within it in the life serene.” Dante Alighieri, Divine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, Hell · observation
“Rudeger with all his vassals swore that he would ever serve her faithfully and pledged his hand, that the noble knights from Etzel's land would ne'er refuse her aught.” Unknown (Middle High German epic tradition), The Nibelungenlied · precept
The text shifts into Qur’anic quotations (Sura X implied earlier; also continuing Jonah themes), contrasting Meccan unbelievers’ demands for altered verses with the claim that revelation cannot be changed, and stressing divine foreknowledge, plotting, and signs in nature.
to preach. When we cause man to taste our gifts of mercy, he rejoiceth in it; but if for their by-gone handy-work evil betide them, then lo! is man ungrateful. God's, the kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth! He createth what He will! and he giveth daughters to whom He will, and sons to whom He will: Or He giveth them children of both sexes, and He maketh whom He will to be childless; for He is Wise, Powerful! …
The passage continues the translator’s critique of Muhammad’s motives and then shifts into a Qur’anic section explaining that Thunder is a divine sign, condemning unbelief, and warning about hell and paradise.
34 That is, God's method of dealing with the guilty was to send apostles previous to the execution of his judgments. 35 It appears to have been the custom of the idolatrous Arabs to set apart one portion of their fields for the Supreme God, and the other for the inferior gods represented by their idols. If any of the fruit happened to fall from the part consecrated to the idols into that consecrated to God, they res…
At Whitehall Pepys describes disputes about appointments, then news of England’s defeat at Guinea; he hears charges of cowardice, sees the comet again, and records preparations and fear as the Dutch war escalates.
Gazette of the Dutch's boasting of fighting, and having beaten the English: in confidence whereof, (it coming to Bourdeaux,) all the fleet comes out, and so falls into our hands. 19th. With Sir J. Minnes to White Hall, and there we waited on the Duke. And among other things Mr. Coventry took occasion to vindicate himself before the Duke and us, being ill there, about the choosing of Taylor for Harwich. [Silas Tay…
In April 1665 Pepys gives Navy cost estimates to the Lord Treasurer and reports chronic money shortages; he attends theatre and discusses new comets, naval seizures and King’s personal recognition of him, and processes Tangier-related approvals.
occasions his good opinion of my service and love for me. I paid my thanks and acknowledgement to him; and so back home, where at the office all the morning. 27th. Up betimes to Mr. Povy's, and there did sign and seal my agreement with him about my place of being treasurer for Tangier. Thence to the Duke of Albemarle, the first time that we officers of the Navy have waited upon him since the Duke of York's going, w…
Thucydides records contemporary interpretations of the plague—misquoted verses, recalled Spartan oracles, and the claim it began with the Spartan invasion of Attica—then shifts back to military ravaging by the Peloponnesians.
dead body upon the stranger’s pyre and ignited it; sometimes they tossed the corpse which they were carrying on the top of another that was burning, and so went off. Nor was this the only form of lawless extravagance which owed its origin to the plague. Men now coolly ventured on what they had formerly done in a corner, and not just as they pleased, seeing the rapid transitions produced by persons in prosperity sudd…
After summer ended, Thucydides describes Aristides’ arrest of the Persian Artaphernes in Eion, Athenians reading his dispatches for Lacedaemonian use, and subsequent Athenian actions and seasonal omens, alongside exile campaigns and the start of a Cythera expedition.
the Corinthian town lying at the mouth of the Ambracian Gulf, and took it by treachery; and the Acarnanians themselves, sending settlers from all parts of Acarnania, occupied the place. Summer was now over. During the winter ensuing, Aristides, son of Archippus, one of the commanders of the Athenian ships sent to collect money from the allies, arrested at Eion, on the Strymon, Artaphernes, a Persian, on his way from…
Halitherses interprets the eagles as proof that Odysseus is near and will bring death, but Eurymachus dismisses omens and urges Telemachus to send his mother back so the suitors can keep consuming his estate.
asked each other what all this might be; whereon Halitherses, who was the best prophet and reader of omens among them, spoke to them plainly and in all honesty, saying: “Hear me, men of Ithaca, and I speak more particularly to the suitors, for I see mischief brewing for them. Ulysses is not going to be away much longer; indeed he is close at hand to deal out death and destruction, not on them alone, but on many anot…
Hercules’ descent to Hades is contrasted with Ulysses staying outside, hearing terrible cries around him, fearing Persephone’s sending up the Gorgon’s head, and then ordering his men to sail from the river Oceanus as a fair wind rises.
not think he could find anything harder for me than this, but I got the hound out of Hades and brought him to him, for Mercury and Minerva helped me.’ “On this Hercules went down again into the house of Hades, but I stayed where I was in case some other of the mighty dead should come to me. And I should have seen still other of them that are gone before, whom I would fain have seen—Theseus and Pirithous—glorious chi…
Ulysses asks if Charybdis can be avoided without harming the crew from Scylla; Circe says Scylla is invincible, advises driving past fast while roaring to Cratais, and warns that harming Sun-god cattle on Thrinacian island will doom ship and comrades.
“‘Is there no way,’ said I, ‘of escaping Charybdis, and at the same time keeping Scylla off when she is trying to harm my men?’ “‘You dare devil,’ replied the goddess, ‘you are always wanting to fight somebody or something; you will not let yourself be beaten even by the immortals. For Scylla is not mortal; moreover she is savage, extreme, rude, cruel and invincible. There is no help for it; your best chance will be…
Ulysses tells his men the Siren plan, reaches the Sirens’ island, uses cut wax to stop his crew’s ears while binding himself to the mast, then after passing stops rowing fearfully as a big wave and roaring sound follow, and he orders them to keep hugging the rock.
I cannot possibly break away, and lash the rope’s ends to the mast itself. If I beg and pray you to set me free, then bind me more tightly still.’ “I had hardly finished telling everything to the men before we reached the island of the two Sirens,102 for the wind had been very favourable. Then all of a sudden it fell dead calm; there was not a breath of wind nor a ripple upon the water, so the men furled the sails a…
During departure from Lacedaemon, Telemachus and Pisistratus dine, sacrifice with a pledge of a golden goblet, interpret an eagle-and-goose omen as a sign for Odysseus’s return, and travel toward Pylos.
wear upon her wedding day. Till then, get your dear mother to keep it for you; thus may you go back rejoicing to your own country and to your home.” So saying she gave the robe over to him and he received it gladly. Then Pisistratus put the presents into the chariot, and admired them all as he did so. Presently Menelaus took Telemachus and Pisistratus into the house, and they both of them sat down to table. A maid s…
Ulysses encourages Eumaeus after hearing his misfortunes, then Telemachus returns with his crew at dawn, orders the ship to proceed to town, receives Theoclymenus’ worry about where to stay, and assigns him to Eurymachus’ household.
about. I will carry him off in your ship, and you will get a great deal of money for him if you take him and sell him in foreign parts.’ “On this she went back to the house. The Phoenicians stayed a whole year till they had loaded their ship with much precious merchandise, and then, when they had got freight enough, they sent to tell the woman. Their messenger, a very cunning fellow, came to my father’s house bringi…
At the harbor, a hawk-and-dove omen confirms Telemachus’ future power, Telemachus sends Piraeus to entertain Theoclymenus, sails the ship toward the city, and strides back to his swineherd station with sandals and spear.
is to become of me? To whose house, among all your chief men, am I to repair? or shall I go straight to your own house and to your mother?” “At any other time,” replied Telemachus, “I should have bidden you go to my own house, for you would find no want of hospitality; at the present moment, however, you would not be comfortable there, for I shall be away, and my mother will not see you; she does not often show hers…
Penelope questions the disguised Ulysses about dreams, explains her sleepless grief and her dilemma between staying with Telemachus or marrying a suitor, and interprets her eagle dream as omen of the suitors’ downfall.
anointed him with oil, Ulysses drew his seat nearer to the fire to warm himself, and hid the scar under his rags. Then Penelope began talking to him and said: “Stranger, I should like to speak with you briefly about another matter. It is indeed nearly bed time—for those, at least, who can sleep in spite of sorrow. As for myself, heaven has given me a life of such unmeasurable woe, that even by day when I am attendin…
After Ulysses cannot sleep, Minerva comforts him; Penelope prays to Diana and discusses signs from heaven as Eumaeus and Philoetius arrive, the suitors dine, and Theoclymenus foretells disaster.
ULYSSES CANNOT SLEEP—PENELOPE’S PRAYER TO DIANA—THE TWO SIGNS FROM HEAVEN—EUMAEUS AND PHILOETIUS ARRIVE—THE SUITORS DINE—CTESIPPUS THROWS AN OX’S FOOT AT ULYSSES—THEOCLYMENUS FORETELLS DISASTER AND LEAVES THE HOUSE. Ulysses slept in the cloister upon an undressed bullock’s hide, on the top of which he threw several skins of the sheep the suitors had eaten, and Eurynome156 threw a cloak over him after he had laid him…
Penelope prays for death or disappearance and reports a dream; Ulysses hears her crying, prays for an omen, and receives thunder plus a sign from a grinding woman that today will be the suitors’ last dinner.
As she spoke she shed sleep over his eyes, and then went back to Olympus. While Ulysses was thus yielding himself to a very deep slumber that eased the burden of his sorrows, his admirable wife awoke, and sitting up in her bed began to cry. When she had relieved herself by weeping she prayed to Diana saying, “Great Goddess Diana, daughter of Jove, drive an arrow into my heart and slay me; or let some whirlwind snatc…
After Telemachus rebukes Ctesippus, the suitors mock prophets and the house becomes a stage for dread omens, while Penelope watches from her seat as the dinner and impending doom unfold.
while Philoetius handed round the bread in the bread baskets, and Melanthius poured them out their wine. Then they laid their hands upon the good things that were before them. Telemachus purposely made Ulysses sit in the part of the cloister that was paved with stone;158 he gave him a shabby looking seat at a little table to himself, and had his portion of the inward meats brought to him, with his wine in a gold cup…
Outside the palace, Ulysses reveals himself to Eumaeus and the stockman, shows his scar from Mt. Parnassus, instructs them to manage witnesses and doors, and returns to the bow trial.
Then the swineherd and the stockman left the cloisters together, and Ulysses followed them. When they had got outside the gates and the outer yard, Ulysses said to them quietly: “Stockman, and you swineherd, I have something in my mind which I am in doubt whether to say or no; but I think I will say it. What manner of men would you be to stand by Ulysses, if some god should bring him back here all of a sudden? Say w…
While the suitors halt the contest for Apollo’s feast, Antinous and Eurymachus oppose Ulysses’s attempt to prove himself; Penelope argues the contest is reasonable and offers gifts if Apollo grants success.
the fact of our being so inferior to Ulysses in strength that we cannot string his bow. This will disgrace us in the eyes of those who are yet unborn.” “It shall not be so, Eurymachus,” said Antinous, “and you know it yourself. Today is the feast of Apollo throughout all the land; who can string a bow on such a day as this? Put it on one side—as for the axes they can stay where they are, for no one is likely to come…
Ulysses strings the bow skillfully, shoots through all twelve axes, and then signals Telemachus to begin supper and dancing, completing the bow contest and triggering the shift to violence.
any groaning or uproar as of men fighting about the house, they are not to come out, but are to keep quiet and stay where they are at their work.” Euryclea did as she was told and closed the doors of the women’s apartments. Meanwhile Philoetius slipped quietly out and made fast the gates of the outer court. There was a ship’s cable of byblus fibre lying in the gatehouse, so he made the gates fast with it and then c…
Penelope and Ulysses reconcile by the bed-test, then Ulysses explains Teiresias’s prophecy about his final journey and peaceful death, while Minerva delays dawn and the household prepares to sleep.
PENELOPE EVENTUALLY RECOGNISES HER HUSBAND—EARLY IN THE MORNING ULYSSES, TELEMACHUS, EUMAEUS, AND PHILOETIUS LEAVE THE TOWN. Euryclea now went upstairs laughing to tell her mistress that her dear husband had come home. Her aged knees became young again and her feet were nimble for joy as she went up to her mistress and bent over her head to speak to her. “Wake up Penelope, my dear child,” she exclaimed, “and see wit…
Telemachus refuses to expel Penelope against her will, arguing it would bring vengeance from her father Icarius and gods; he appeals for restitution, then two eagles’ attack is interpreted as an omen of doom for the suitors.
but for thee regret for thy much livelihood. But we will neither go to our own lands, nor otherwhere, till she marry that man whom she will of the Achaeans.” Then wise Telemachus answered him, saying: “Antinous, I may in no wise thrust forth from the house, against her will, the woman that bare me, that reared me: while as for my father he is abroad on the earth, whether he be alive or dead. Moreover it is hard for …
Telemachus returns to the hall despite wooers’ mockery, declares his intent to sail on a borrowed ship, stores provisions in the treasure chamber with Eurycleia’s help, and makes her swear secrecy until he departs.
So spake he in prayer, and Athene drew nigh him in the likeness of Mentor, in fashion and in voice, and she spake and hailed him in winged words: “Telemachus, even hereafter thou shalt not be craven or witless, if indeed thou hast a drop of thy father’s blood and a portion of his spirit; such an one was he to fulfil both word and work. Nor, if this be so, shall thy voyage be vain or unfulfilled. But if thou art not …
Menelaus recounts how an aged sea-god tells him to stop grieving and that either Aegisthus lives or Orestes has already killed him, then identifies Ithaca’s Odysseus as held by Calypso.
light of the sun. But when I had taken my fill of weeping and grovelling on the ground, then spake the ancient one of the sea, whose speech is sooth: “‘No more, son of Atreus, hold this long weeping without cease, for we shall find no help therein. Rather with all haste make essay that so thou mayest come to thine own country. For either thou shalt find Aegisthus yet alive, or it may be Orestes was beforehand with t…
Penelope prays to Athene for her son’s safety, the wooers secretly select twenty men to sail, and Penelope then fasts and sleeps as Athene sends a phantom to reassure her.
the son of Arceisius, is not, methinks, utterly hated by the blessed gods, but someone will haply yet remain to possess these lofty halls, and the fat fields far away.” So spake she, and lulled her queen’s lamentation, and made her eyes to cease from weeping. So she washed her in water, and took to her clean raiment, and ascended to the upper chamber with the women her handmaids, and placed the meal for sprinkling i…
Hermes visits Calypso, eats and drinks, relays Zeus’ command to send Odysseus to sea, and Calypso urges Odysseus to build a raft while he insists on an oath not to deceive him.
with the share of the spoil that fell to him. On such wise is he fated to see his friends, and come to his high-roofed home and his own country.” So spake he, nor heedless was the messenger, the slayer of Argos. Straightway he bound beneath his feet his lovely golden sandals, that wax not old, that bare him alike over the wet sea and over the limitless land, swift as the breath of the wind. And he took the wand wher…
On Aeolia, Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag of winds; after nine days near Ithaca, Odysseus’s crew opens it, releasing storms that drive them back and lead Aeolus to expel Odysseus as hated by the gods.
hath given unto him these things freely in his love. Nay come, let us quickly see what they are, even what wealth of gold and silver is in the wallet.’ “So they spake, and the evil counsel of my company prevailed. They loosed the wallet, and all the winds brake forth. And the violent blast seized my men, and bare them towards the high seas weeping, away from their own country; but as for me, I awoke and communed wit…
Teiresias warns Odysseus about Poseidon’s wrath from Odysseus’s blinding of Polyphemus, instructs him to avoid Helios’s cattle at Thrinacia, and predicts the slaughter of the wooers and eventual peaceful death; then Odysseus interrogates his mother’s identity.
dead and a land desolate of joy? Nay, hold off from the ditch and draw back thy sharp sword, that I may drink of the blood and tell thee sooth.’ “So spake he and I put up my silver-studded sword into the sheath, and when he had drunk the dark blood, even then did the noble seer speak unto me, saying: Thou art asking of thy sweet returning, great Odysseus, but that will the god make hard for thee; for methinks thou s…
Menelaus delays Telemachus briefly with gifts, food, and counsel; Telemachus departs with silver bowl and robe from Menelaus and Helen, receives an eagle omen interpreted as Odysseus’ return, and travels toward Pylos then by ship.
bespeaks thee kindly, and sends thee on thy way. For of him a guest is mindful all the days of his life, even of the host that shows him loving-kindness.” So spake he, and anon came the golden-throned Dawn. And Menelaus, of the loud war cry, drew nigh to them, new risen from his bed, by fair-haired Helen. Now when the dear son of Odysseus marked him, he made haste and girt his shining doublet about him, and the hero…
Telemachus and Theoclymenus reach Ithaca’s coast after sailing, Telemachus sends Theoclymenus toward his best neighbor Eurymachus, while Telemachus goes to the fields to inspect his lands.
“So spake she, and they all swore thereto as she bade them. Now when they had sworn and done that oath, again the woman spake among them and answered, saying: “‘Hold your peace now, and let none of your fellows speak to me and greet me, if they meet me in the street, or even at the well, lest one go and tell it to the old man at home, and he suspect somewhat and bind me in hard bonds and devise death for all of you.…
Telemachus orders Eumaeus to inform Penelope’s house-slave to secretly send word to Laertes, and Athene approaches Odysseus in the guise of a tall woman to speak to him.
Telemachus sends Eumaeus to the city to tell his mother of his return. And how, in the meantime, Odysseus discovers himself to his son. Now these twain, Odysseus and the goodly swineherd, within the hut had kindled a fire, and were making ready breakfast at the dawn, and had sent forth the herdsmen with the droves of swine. And round Telemachus the hounds, that love to bark, fawned and barked not, as he drew nigh. A…
At dawn Telemachus goes toward the city so Penelope can see him, orders Eumaeus to lead Odysseus to beg in town, and Penelope receives news while Telemachus vows he will later seek divine help through sacrifice.
Telemachus relates to his mother what he had heard at Pylos and Sparta. So soon as early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, then Telemachus, the dear son of divine Odysseus, bound beneath his feet his goodly sandals, and took up his mighty spear that fitted his grasp, to make for the city; and he spake to his swineherd, saying: “Verily, father, I am bound for the city, that my mother may see me, for methinks that…
Telemachus reaches the hall and meets the wooers without conflict, then takes the stranger Piraeus toward the house and bathes and feasts guests, while Penelope asks for clear reports of Odysseus and a seer claims Odysseus is already in Ithaca.
water, and took to her fresh raiment, and vowed to all the gods an acceptable sacrifice of hecatombs, if haply Zeus might grant that deeds of requital should be made. Now Telemachus went out through the hall with the spear in his hand: and two swift hounds bare him company. And Athene shed on him a wondrous grace, and all the people marvelled at him as he came. And the lordly wooers gathered about him with fair word…
Penelope tells Eumaeus to bring the stranger to her after her son’s sneezing sign, promises him fine clothing if he speaks truth, and later Odysseus explains he wants Penelope to question him alone while the wooers remain ignorant.
and ask him if haply he has heard tidings of Odysseus of the hardy heart, or seen him with his eyes; for he seems like one that has wandered far.” Then didst thou make answer, swineherd Eumaeus: “Queen, oh that the Achaeans would hold their peace! so would he charm thy very heart, such things doth he say. For I kept him three nights and three days I held him in the steading, for to me he came first when he fled from…
After Irus’ defeat, the suitors praise Odysseus, offer him food, and Penelope speaks with Odysseus’ household while Athene causes Penelope to appear more beautiful to inflame the suitors’ hopes.
cord therewith to hang it, and he gat him back to the threshold, and sat him down there again. Now the wooers went within laughing sweetly, and greeted him, saying: “May Zeus, stranger, and all the other deathless gods give thee thy dearest wish, even all thy heart’s desire, seeing that thou hast made that insatiate one to cease from his begging in the land! Soon will we take him over to the mainland, to Echetus the…
Odysseus comforts Penelope with a new report that he recently heard Odysseus is alive in Thesprotia, returning soon after Zeus’s plan, while the companions died after killing Helios’s cattle.
home to his own dear country. Wherefore with an evil fate it was that Odysseus went hence in the hollow ship to see that evil Ilios, never to be named.” And Odysseus of many counsels answered her saying: “Wife revered of Odysseus, son of Laertes, destroy not now thy fair flesh any more, nor waste thy heart with weeping for thy lord;—not that I count it any blame in thee, for many a woman weeps that has lost her wedd…
Penelope asks the stranger to interpret her dream about geese eaten by an eagle, and Odysseus interprets it as a sign that the wooers will be destroyed and he has returned.
with olive-oil, Odysseus again drew up his settle nearer to the fire to warm himself, and covered up the scar with his rags. Then the wise Penelope spake first, saying: “Stranger, there is yet a little thing I will make bold to ask thee, for soon will it be the hour for pleasant rest, for him on whomsoever sweet sleep falls, though he be heavy with care. But to me has the god given sorrow, yea sorrow measureless, fo…
Penelope explains dream-lore through horn and ivory gates, then proposes a bow-and-axe contest for choosing her next husband, while Odysseus urges the contest begin because he will be back to shoot it.
himself hath showed thee how he will fulfil it. For the wooers destruction is clearly boded, for all and every one; not a man shall avoid death and the fates.” Then wise Penelope answered him: “Stranger, verily dreams are hard, and hard to be discerned; nor are all things therein fulfilled for men. Twain are the gates of shadowy dreams, the one is fashioned of horn and one of ivory. Such dreams as pass through the p…
Odysseus prays for an omen and receives Zeus’s thunder plus a mill-worker’s warning voice; Telemachus then prepares to go to the assembly, while servants tidy the house for the wooers’ feast.
some one I pray of the folk that are waking show me a word of good omen within, and without let some sign also be revealed to me from Zeus.” So he spake in prayer, and Zeus, the counsellor, heard him. Straightway he thundered from shining Olympus, from on high from the place of clouds; and goodly Odysseus was glad. Moreover a woman, a grinder at the mill, uttered a voice of omen from within the house hard by, where …
He introduces an extended discussion of oceanic islands, rejecting Forbes’s continental-extension view as insufficient, and frames the problem as explaining island life under independent creation versus descent with modification.
seeds of the Nelumbium undigested; or the seeds might be dropped by the bird whilst feeding its young, in the same way as fish are known sometimes to be dropped. In considering these several means of distribution, it should be remembered that when a pond or stream is first formed, for instance, on a rising islet, it will be unoccupied; and a single seed or egg will have a good chance of succeeding. Although there wi…
The senate doubles taxes, reallocates armies to Sicily and Campania, and manages elections amid omens; it records prodigies and the election dynamics involving Marcus Marcellus and Quintus Fabius Maximus.
that Marcus Marcellus should be in command as proconsul, because he was the only Roman general who had been successful in his operations in Italy since the defeat at Cannae. 31. The senate decreed, the first day they deliberated in the Capitol, that double taxes should be imposed for that year, one moiety of which should be immediately levied, as a fund from which pay might be given forthwith to all the soldiers, ex…
Livy describes how Roman religious prophecies were found after a senate decree, how one Marcius prediction matched Cannae, and how senate decrees led to the vowed Apollinarian games in the Circus Maximus.
the present or former year. The greater number, and those who, from their age, were more able to recollect these events, represent it to have occurred in the present year. 12. The Latin holidays detained the consuls and praetors at Rome till the fifth of the calends of May; on which day, having completed the solemnities on the mount, they proceeded to their respective provinces. Afterwards a new difficulty respectin…
As the election season nears, Marcellus presses he must not leave Hannibal’s front; meanwhile Rome receives embassies from Syphax, sends gifts to African and Egyptian rulers, and records prodigies to be expiated.
without any engagement worth recording; for Hannibal marched by night, seeking an opportunity for ambuscade, but Marcellus never followed him except in broad daylight, and after having explored the country. 3. In the mean time, while Flaccus was detained at Capua in selling the property of the nobles, and letting out the land which had been forfeited, all of which he let for a rent to be paid in corn, lest occasions…
With religious prodigies and a spreading pestilence, Rome performs supplications, vows future Apollinarian games, and discusses hostages and constraints in Arretium amid continuing anxiety.
move his army from Arretium till his successor had arrived. Both he and Tubulus were ordered to be particularly careful, lest any new plots should be formed in that quarter. 23. The praetors set out for their provinces. The consul were detained by religious affairs; for receiving intelligence of several prodigies, they could not easily obtain a favourable appearance from the victims. It was reported from Campania, t…
Anticipation of victory in secret African plans fuels Roman prodigy-reporting; the senate determines the “most virtuous man” as Publius Scipio and choreographs the goddess’s procession from Ostia and arrival in Rome.
the former year. The consuls set about making the levies, both to raise new legions for Bruttium, and recruit the other armies; for so were they directed by the senate. 14. Although Africa had not as yet been openly declared a province, the senate keeping it a secret, I suppose, lest the Carthaginians should get intelligence of it beforehand, nevertheless, the most sanguine hopes were entertained in the city, that t…
Before departure, Romans expiate prodigies at multiple cities, found colonies to the sea-coast, and send the consuls to campaigns in Gaul and Liguria against the revolting Boii and Ligurians.
should divide the hither from the farther province. Two additional lieutenant-generals were sent to the army in Macedonia, Publius Sulpicius and Publius Villius, who had been consuls in that province. 29. It was thought necessary, that before the consuls and praetors went abroad, some prodigies should be expiated. For the temples of Vulcan and Summanus,[1] at Rome, and a wall and a gate at Fregellae, had been struck…
Aeneas recounts Trojan exile and arrival in Libya, identifies himself and his rescued household gods, then receives an augury of twelve swans and guidance to seek Carthage, while Venus reveals herself through mist and departs.
ground, which Byrsa call’d, From the bull’s hide, they first inclos’d, and wall’d. But whence are you? what country claims your birth? What seek you, strangers, on our Libyan earth?” To whom, with sorrow streaming from his eyes, And deeply sighing, thus her son replies: “Could you with patience hear, or I relate, O nymph, the tedious annals of our fate! Thro’ such a train of woes if I should …
Aeneas, after seeking prophetic guidance from Helenus, is told to sail around Sicily, avoid the far Epirus coast, and interpret signs including a sow with thirty piglets.
Italy; But only dire Celaeno, from the gods, A dismal famine fatally forebodes: O say what dangers I am first to shun, What toils vanquish, and what course to run.’ “The prophet first with sacrifice adores The greater gods; their pardon then implores; Unbinds the fillet from his holy head; To Phoebus, next, my trembling steps he led, Full of religious doubts and awful dread. Then, with …
Aeneas sights Italy at dawn, offers wine to the gods, reaches Minerva’s temple landmark, prays at Pallas’s hill, and then sets sail while moving away from a “suspected land.”
no threat’ning tempest nigh, But a sure promise of a settled sky, He gave the sign to weigh; we break our sleep, Forsake the pleasing shore, and plow the deep. “And now the rising morn with rosy light Adorns the skies, and puts the stars to flight; When we from far, like bluish mists, descry The hills, and then the plains, of Italy. Achates first pronounc’d the joyful sound; Then, ‘Ital…
The fleet passes Tarentum’s bay and approaches Lacinian Juno, but is frightened by Charybdis and the Clashing Rocks, so they flee, endure Cyclops-country hazards, and suffer a starless, moonless night.
his head, And all commands of Helenus obey’d, And pious rites to Grecian Juno paid. These dues perform’d, we stretch our sails, and stand To sea, forsaking that suspected land. “From hence Tarentum’s bay appears in view, For Hercules renown’d, if fame be true. Just opposite, Lacinian Juno stands; Caulonian tow’rs, and Scylacaean strands, For shipwrecks fear’d. Mount Aetna thence we spy, …
Aeneas and Ascanius hunt in the Libyan hills as storm clouds gather; the Trojans scatter toward Dido, and Dido and Aeneas’ first secret love act foretells “debate and death” and later disasters for them.
of bays his length of hair inclose; A golden fillet binds his awful brows; His quiver sounds: not less the prince is seen In manly presence, or in lofty mien. Now had they reach’d the hills, and storm’d the seat Of salvage beasts, in dens, their last retreat. The cry pursues the mountain goats: they bound From rock to rock, and keep the craggy ground; Quite otherwise the stags, a trembling tr…
Dido receives portents (sacrificial blood and milk turning) and hears ominous signs, considers suicide, and decides to enlist a Massylian priestess’s magic to bind revengeful forces via a funeral pyre.
are still employ’d in vain; Again she comes, and is refus’d again. His harden’d heart nor pray’rs nor threat’nings move; Fate, and the god, had stopp’d his ears to love. As, when the winds their airy quarrel try, Justling from ev’ry quarter of the sky, This way and that the mountain oak they bend, His boughs they shatter, and his branches rend; With leaves and falling mast they spread the gro…
At dawn Dido sees the ships depart, curses Aeneas’ survival in prayer for perpetual war between Carthage and the Trojans, commands preparations for sacrifice and bindings, and plots an end to her life.
emulating zeal inspires his train: They run; they snatch; they rush into the main. With headlong haste they leave the desert shores, And brush the liquid seas with lab’ring oars. Aurora now had left her saffron bed, And beams of early light the heav’ns o’erspread, When, from a tow’r, the queen, with wakeful eyes, Saw day point upward from the rosy skies. She look’d to seaward; but the sea was…
Aeneas, watching Dido’s fire from afar on the Punic shore, interprets it as an omen of love-driven destruction, then sails toward Sicily after gathering storm-like signs at sea.
THE ARGUMENT. Aeneas, setting sail from Afric, is driven by a storm on the coast of Sicily, where he is hospitably received by his friend Acestes, king of part of the island, and born of Trojan parentage. He applies himself to celebrate the memory of his father with divine honours, and accordingly institues funeral games, and appoints prizes for those who should conquer in them. W…
In the naval contest, Gyas and the Centaur and Dolphin contend, while strategic turns and dangerous shallows lead to pilot mishaps, wrecks, and Mnestheus ultimately outpacing competitors.
crowd their hopes and fears divide, And aid with eager shouts the favour’d side. Cries, murmurs, clamours, with a mixing sound, From woods to woods, from hills to hills rebound. Amidst the loud applauses of the shore, Gyas outstripp’d the rest, and sprung before: Cloanthus, better mann’d, pursued him fast, But his o’er-masted galley check’d his haste. The Centaur and the Dolphin brush the bri…
Entellus’s aged opponent is defeated when Aeneas orders the next contests, including an archery event with a pigeon dove and scored winners among Hippocoon, Mnestheus, Eurytion, and Acestes.
the hissing throng, And hung his head, and trail’d his legs along. The sword and casque are carried by his train; But with his foe the palm and ox remain. The champion, then, before Aeneas came, Proud of his prize, but prouder of his fame: “O goddess-born, and you, Dardanian host, Mark with attention, and forgive my boast; Learn what I was, by what remains; and know From what impending …
Aeneas searches for the golden bough, guided by his mother’s birds, then discovers it and tears it free; meanwhile the Trojans perform elaborate funeral rites for Misenus, including building the pyre, offerings, and interment preparations near Avernus.
of trees, fell’d from the steepy crown Of the bare mountains, roll with ruin down. Arm’d like the rest the Trojan prince appears, And by his pious labour urges theirs. Thus while he wrought, revolving in his mind The ways to compass what his wish design’d, He cast his eyes upon the gloomy grove, And then with vows implor’d the Queen of Love: “O may thy pow’r, propitious still to me, Con…
Latinus, heirless male and ruling Latium, seeks a match for Lavinia but receives portents from bees, fire, and prophetic dreams directing that a foreign prince will conquer; he consults oracle rites and learns the Trojans’ approach is that fate.
fate; That rous’d the Tyrrhene realm with loud alarms, And peaceful Italy involv’d in arms. A larger scene of action is display’d; And, rising hence, a greater work is weigh’d. Latinus, old and mild, had long possess’d The Latin scepter, and his people blest: His father Faunus; a Laurentian dame His mother; fair Marica was her name. But Faunus came from Picus: Picus drew His birth from …
Latinus interprets the Trojan party as foretold by Faunus, agrees to admit them and offers royal alliance, but states his daughter Lavinia must marry a foreign war-chief, then grants horses and a heavenly pair of coursers.
employ; This royal robe and this tiara wore Old Priam, and this golden scepter bore In full assemblies, and in solemn games; These purple vests were weav’d by Dardan dames.” Thus while he spoke, Latinus roll’d around His eyes, and fix’d a while upon the ground. Intent he seem’d, and anxious in his breast; Not by the scepter mov’d, or kingly vest, But pond’ring future things of wondrous weight…
Aeneas, exhausted on the banks of the Tiber, is visited in a vision by Father Tiber, who promises victory and peace, foretells Ascanius’ town-building, instructs proper worship of Juno, and is accompanied by the omen of a white sow and thirty piglets.
here and there divide, And cast their dubious beams from side to side; Now on the walls, now on the pavement play, And to the ceiling flash the glaring day. ’Twas night; and weary nature lull’d asleep The birds of air, and fishes of the deep, And beasts, and mortal men. The Trojan chief Was laid on Tiber’s banks, oppress’d with grief, And found in silent slumber late relief. Then, thro’…