Description
Book SynopsisIn Book IV of Virgil's "Aeneid", one of the most studied books of that epic poem, Dido, queen of Carthage, is inflamed by love for Aeneas. The goddesses Juno and Venus plot to unite them, and their 'marriage' is consummated in a cave during a hunt. However, Jupiter sends Mercury to remind Aeneas of his duty, and the hero departs despite Dido's passionate pleas. At the end of the book, Dido commits suicide. This new edition of the Latin text of Book IV replaces the long-serving edition by Gould and Whiteley, making this book more accessible to today's students and taking account of the most recent scholarship and critical approaches to Virgil. It includes a substantial introduction, annotation to explain language and content, and a comprehensive vocabulary.
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Historical background 2. Virgil’s life and writing 3. The Aeneid 4. Books 1-4: the Carthaginian episode 5. Virgil’s predecessors 6. Rome and Carthage 7. Dido and Aeneas 8. The gods 9. Similes in Book 4 10. Humour 11. Summary of books 5-12 12. Dido and Aeneas after Virgil 13. Metre general 14. Virgil’s use of metre and language Some reading Notes Aeneid IV: The Latin text Notes on the text Index I: Literary, grammatical and metrical terms Index II: Names in the text Index III: Other names Vocabulary Abbreviations
