Caesar: Bravery and Strategy Battle - NOTES

Question 1

“accerime”

Sentence 3 (Part 1/2)

Answer 1

The superlative and position of the word, first in its clause, emphaises the nature of the fighting but also how close it was to the Roman fortifications, enhancing that sense of threat but also the bravery of the Roman soldiers in keeping the enemy out.

Question 1

“‘quid dubitas… controversiis iudicabit’”

Sentence 3 (Part 1/2 and Part 2/2)

Answer 1

Direct speech gives Pullo’s comments more impact in the narrative and helps to illustrate the competition between the two men more effectively.

Question 2

“procedit”

Sentence 4 (Part 1/1)

Answer 2

Caesar brings passage to life with historic present tense - continues all the way to line 23 (…munitiones recipiunt). Verb appears at front of line - creates maximum emphasis on action

Question 3

“irrumpit”

Sentence 4 (Part 1/1)

Answer 3

Forceful verb which, when used with “procredit” also demonstrates bravery of Pullo + support the character portrayal revealed in his speech in the previous line

Question 4

“confertissima”

Sentence 4 (Part 1/1)

Answer 4

Another superlative used to reveal the bravery of Pullo

Question 4

“ne Vorenus quidem sese vallo continet sed omnium veritus existimationem subsequitur.”

Sentence 5 (Part 1/1)

Answer 4

Vorenus’ reaction to Pullo’s taunts/teasing reveal also a concern for the good opinion of others

Question 5

“transfigitur … defigitur”

Sentence 7 (Part 1/1)

Answer 5

The position of the two verbs at either end of the sentences emphasises the plight which Pullo is in

Question 5

“avertit”

Sentence 8 (Part 1/3)

Answer 5

Emphatic positioning of the verb heightens the drama of the situation

Question 6

“impeditum(que) hostes circumsistunt”

Sentence 8 (Part 3/3)

Answer 6

Caesar acheives maximum effect with an economy of words:

• Sound of syllables which make up the words are long, making Pullo’s situation more dramatic-sounding
• The object “impeditum” appearing first in the phrase draws attention to Pullo’s problem more siginificantly

Question 7

“illi Vorenus”

Sentence 9 (Part 1/1)

Answer 7

Juxtaposition, sounding to highlight Pullo and Vorenus’ rivalry all the more

Question 8

“succurit … subvenit”

Sentence 9 (Part 1/1)

Answer 8

The verbs frame the sentence neatly, emphasising the action greatly. Both words are compounds of “sum” and form a chaismus: “sucurrit … illi” and “laboranti subvenit”

Question 9

“omnis multitudo convertit”

Sentence 10 (Part 1/2)

Answer 9

Each word builds up a picture of the overwhelming odds Vorenus now has to face

Question 10

“gladio comminus”

Sentence 11 (Part 1/4)

Answer 10

Emphatic positioning of “gladio” emphasises the fact that Vorenus has now engaged with hand-to-hand fighting

Question 11

“paulam propellit”

Sentence 11 (Part 2/4)

Answer 11

The plosive alliteration of “p” emphasises Vorenus pushing the enemy back

Question 12

“huic (Vorenus) … Pullo”

Sentence 12 (Part 1/2)

Answer 12

Use of demonstrative pronoun helps Caesar to emphasise just how quickly events can change, with circumstances and situations reversing. This sentence balances the reference to two persons at either end of the clause

Question 13

“ut alter alteri inimicus auxilio salutique esset, neque diiudicari posset, uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur”

Sentence 13 (Part 2/3 and Part 3/3)

Answer 13

Sentence contains number of literary devices to enhance its effectiveness:

• Double polyptoton (different forms of the same word) in “alter alteri … uter utri” gives sentence a sense of balance
• Juxtaposition of “alteri inimicus” reminds us of the centurions’ mutual rivalry
• Alliteration of “-er” in “uter utri virtute anteferendus videretur” helps show approval of men’s bravery as it creates a cheering noise

Question 14

“quanto … tanto”

Sentence 14 (Part 1/5 and Part 4/5)

Answer 14

These ablatives working closely with the comparatives “gravior” and “asperior” reinforce the idea that Caesar had a lot to deal with on this campaign and the situation was increasingly difficult

Question 15

“maxime … magna”

Sentence 14 (Part 2/5 and Part 3/5)

Answer 15

Polyptoton because “maximus” is the superlative of “magnus”; this polyptoton emphasises the serious effect that the number of wounded is having on the defense of the camp

Question 16

“conspectu nostrorum militum cum cruciatu necabatur”

Sentence 14 (Part 5/5)

Answer 16

Deliberate repitition of “c” and “u” sounds represents the disturbing noises of men being tortured and their groans as they experience pain

Question 17

“suamque ei fidem”

Sentence 15 (Part 4/4)

Answer 17

Juxtaposition of “suam” and “ei” emphasises Vertico’s loyalty to Caesar

Question 18

“Nerviorum”

Sentence 19 (Part 1/1)

Answer 18

A powerful tribe of the Belgae who lived in Northern Gaul

Question 19

“quae … gerantur, quanto … sit”

Sentence 20 (Part 2/3 and Part 3/3)

Answer 19

Two indirect questions used by Caesar, but in the historic present tense, which creates an impression of simple military directness, necessary because of the urgency of the situation the army was in

Question 20

“uti … deferat”

Sentence 21 (Part 2/2)

Answer 20

Indirect command

Question 21

“tragulam ammentum”

Sentence 23 (Part 2/2)

Answer 21

A Celtic throwing spear, thrown using a strap, therefore a weapon which would remain undetected by the enemy with its concealed letter

Question 22

“hanc Graecis … virtutem retineat”

Sentence 22 (Part 1/2) to Sentence 24 (Part 3/3)

Answer 22

Caesar’s ingenuity is revealed, as well as aiming to instil hope and confidence in the men he is coming to assist

Question 23

“profectum … veritus … animadversa … dempta … perlectam”

Sentence 24 (Part 2/3) to Sentence 27 (Part 1/2)

Answer 23

Caesar’s use of participles allows the narrative to flow more quickly, heightening the tension and drama

Question 24

“fumi incendiorum”

Sentence 28 (Part 1/2)

Answer 24

This very visible sign of the arrival of the leigon so soon after Cicero had read the letter shows how quickly Caesar had travelled and acted in response to Cicero’s camp needing aid