VIRGIL Context and Characters Flashcards
Who is Mezentius?
Mezentius was an Etruscan king,
Sent into exile because of his cruelty, he moved to Latium.
he hated the gods
Who is Mezentius’ son?
Laussus
Who does Mezentius kill in the first section? (Rock simile)
Hebrus son of Dolichaon
Latagus
Palmus
Minas
How did Mezentius kill Hebrus?
Hebrus son of Dolichaon = flattened
Where does this battle take place?
Laurentine marsh,
What is the simile of Mezentius being a rock suggesting?
like a warrior being unmoved/unbothered by enemy assaults. (Also seen in Homer’s Iliad.)
How did Mezentius kill Latagus?
threw a rock at Latagus’ mouth and face
How did Mezentius kill Minas?
we don’t know
How did Mezentius kill the fleeing Palmus?
The fleeing Palmus = cut his hamstrings and let him writhe.
What is significant about Minas?
Born on the same night as Paris
Mother was holding a torch when he was born
What is the difference between Minas and Paris?
Paris lies in his home city as a hero
Minas lies in the marsh and nobody knows him
How do we know Mezentius hates the Gods?
You are supposed to donate your enemy’s armour to a God, but Mezentius gives it to his son.
Who is Mezentius described like?
Rock, Boar, Lion
What is significant about the boar simile?
In the simile the boar is being chased by dogs out of Vesulus
This is parallel to when the Etruscans chased Mezentius out of his homeland on Vesulus and loses his kingship
How does Acron die?
brought down and slams the bloody ground,
He was stabbed with a broken spear
