Propertius 23

Question 1

Ponticus

Answer 1

an epic poet

Question 2

Cadean Thebes

Answer 2

the two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles engaged in civil war to gain control of the city of Thebes

Question 3

crack shot boy

Answer 3

Cupid

Question 4

seven distant armies

Answer 4

at the seven gates of Thebes; military vocab

Question 5

Ponticus, while you sing of Cadmean Thebes and the grievious arms of fraternal battle, and contend, so help me gods, with the nonpareil Homer, provided the Fates are kind to your verse

Answer 5

in lines 1-4 he is saying that poets are lucky to be writing epic poetry

Question 6

hard mistress

Answer 6

make her fall in love with me

Question 7

harsh trials

Answer 7

miserable again- trying to make girls fall in love with me. Contrast with epic and love poetry

Question 8

And hence comes the name I seek from art let my praise be just that I pleased a talented girl… Let unrequited suitors here after read me… of my ills

Answer 8

my fame- will be that I won her over so others will take heart

Question 9

As I might wish he had not ravished me

Answer 9

wishes he wasnt so in love

Question 10

you shall piteously mourn the camps to no avail

Answer 10

being in love is miserable

Question 11

belated

Answer 11

old men shouldnt love

Question 12

comes late his tax is often high

Answer 12

love isnt for old people