Lines 540 - 543 Notes

Question 1

mentiris

Answer 1

you lie when you say you are his son. This is an insult to cast doubt in Pyrrhus’ mind and to hurt him

Question 2

supplicis - ‘a suppliant’

Answer 2

Someone who appeals to the mercy of their conquerer. They submit themselves to the higher power of the winner, and then they must be treated with mercy (so not to invoke the displeasure of Jupiter). The rights of the suppliant are referred to with the word ‘iura’

Question 3

corpus sepulcro reddidit

Answer 3

hugely important for the body to receive proper burial, or the dead soul may not be able to access the Underworld across the Styx