Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians

Question 1

when was it published?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 1

13BC

Question 2

what themes does it cover?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 2

imperator, pater patriae

Question 3

what is the poem about?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 3

the poem discusses how Drusus is a super powerful warrior, using animal similes, and how he fought against the Vindelici. it goes on to talk about Augustus as the stepfather of Dru/Tib, and how he has raised them well. then it references the Punic wars, and Hannibal bemoans his losses (incl. the death of his brother), and the strength of the Claudians

Question 4

animal simile 1- the eagle

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 4

• compared to the eagle that helped kidnap Ganymede
• with youth and native vigour
• he leaves the nest and fiercely attacks the sheep
• love of spoils
• the fight hurling him at writhing snakes

Question 5

animal simile 2: lion cub

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 5

lion cub just weaned who sees a roe deer fated to die in its jaws

Question 6

the similes are describing?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 6

Drusus fighting the Vindelici

Question 7

who were the Vindelici?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 7

• a gallic tribe
• fought with battle axes
• had been triumphant until they met Drusus

Question 8

how does Horace describe Augustus’s relationship to his stepsons and his impact?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 8

• they “have learnt what power accrues when mind and heart are fed with religion in a reverent household, learnt what paternal love can do, when it is Caesar’s”

Question 9

what general statements does Horace make on fathers and sons?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 9

• “brave noble men father brave noble children”
• “in bulls and horses likewise the male’s stamp shows clearly”
• “we never find fear bred from fierceness, eagles hatching doves”
• “training that promotes the inborn talent, and morals”

Question 10

what debt do the Romans owe to the clan Nero?

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 10

• they defeated Hasdrubal, brother of Hannibal
• Horace says the darkness was lifted from Latium, and afterwards, Rome was able to defeat Hannibal

Question 11

summarise Hannibal’s speech!

(Horace 4.4 Drusus and the Claudians)

Answer 11

• he compares his people (Carthaginians) to deer, and asks if deer would pursue wolves (the Romans)
• he mentions the Romans’ ancestry as Trojans
• compares the Romans to oak that gets vigour from the axe trying to cut it
• compares them to the hydra and Cadmus’s dragon teeth
• he says there’s nothing Claudian power can’t achieve
• he says he’s got no hope anymore
• he says Jupiter favours the Romans!