Section 8 Livy: Hannibal Crosses the Alps Notes Part 4

Question 1

Sibilance

Answer 1

The repeated ‘s’ sound in the first of these lines perhaps reflects the sounds of lots of mini landslides as the loose surface gives way beneath their feet.

Question 2

occiderent

Answer 2

Means ‘fall’ but also ‘kill’: men were tumbling down the slope and then being crushed to death by falling baggage animals; this is chaotic and terrifying.

Question 3

alii / alio

Answer 3

polyptoton - different forms of the same word repeated. ‘alii’ and ‘alio’ are juxtaposed to highlight the chaotic tumbling mixture of men and animals.