Propertius 3.4 War and Peace

Question 1

when was the poem published?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 1

20BC

Question 2

what themes does it cover?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 2

imperator, culture hero

Question 3

what is the poem about

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 3

it encourages men to go to war, and promises rewards. it believes augustus will succeed. the justice is in avenging crassus. it then focuses on religious aspects, and how it wants augustus to succeed.

Question 4

what controversy occurs at the beginning of the poem?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 4

“Caesar, our god”
- does this refer to JC or to Augustus?

Question 5

what does Prop. say about the rewards of going w. Augustus?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 5

“pearl-bearing ocean”
“the rewards are great”
“Parthia’s trophies will get to know Latin Jupiter”

Question 6

which war is this poem about?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 6

the Parthian Campaign

Question 7

who are they trying to avenge? what happened?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 7

Crassus, who was killed by the Parthians, and lost some standards. they want to get these standards back- which they eventually do

Question 8

which gods does Prop. mention?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 8

“father Mars” “sacred Vesta” “Venus herself”

Question 9

what is Propertius doing while the war goes on?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 9

staying at home!!! with his girlfriend
“I’ll begin to look, pressing my dear girl’s breast”
“when I see Caesar’s axles burdened with booty”
“it’s enough for me I can cheer them on their sacred way”

Question 10

how does Propertius include Augustus’s grand ancestry?

(Propertius 3.4 War and Peace)

Answer 10

“may Venus herself protect your children”
“this head that survives from Aeneas’ line”