Six books of the Aeneid of Vergil

Material for the literary study of Vergil is supplied by the following special features: -

1. A bibliography. This does not claim to be a life of Vergil, but aims, by presenting the salient facts, to lead the student to further investigation by means of the numerous references to different writers which are supplied him.

2. A list of topics for investigation. It is suggested that, at the beginning of the course, each member of the class be assigned one of these topics, upon which, as the reading advances, to collect material to be presented in the form of an essay at the end of the course.

3. An account of the Royal House of Troy. This account, as presented in the second study, with a complete genealogical table so far as Vergil's mention is concerned, will be found helpful to the student.

4. Rhetorical Studies. All figures of speech which are used in the first six books of the Aeneid (with the exception of concealed metaphors) are presented in the twelfth study, and will be of assistance in the rhetorical study of Vergil..

5. Notes. The most important help to the literary study of Vergil will be found in the first set of notes beneath the text on each page. These notes may be classified as follows: (a) Notes of explanation, intended to present such facts as may enable the reader to obtain a complete understanding of all mythological, archæological, and historical references in the text.

(b) Notes for the study of especial themes as developed by Vergil himself, by means of cross-references to different parts of the text, to which are often added references to other writers. Examples of these groupings are the studies of the consecrations of arms (I. 248), the effect of climate upon

character (I. 568), the comparative size of men and gods (II. 773), the relation of guest-friendship (III. 15), etc.

(c) Notes for the interpretation of difficult passages; this is effected, not by translating the text, but by throwing sufficient light upon the passage to make its meaning clear.

(d) Notes giving copious quotations from Greek, Latin, Italian, and English authors who have any intimate relation to Vergil's Aeneid, either as being the model for his own imitation (as notably Homer, Ennius, Lucretius, Catullus, and others); or as obtaining from Vergil models for direct and wholesale imitation (as Ariosto, Tasso, and Spenser, and to a less extent, Milton and Falconer); from some, of whom he was the confessed source of inspiration (as Dante and Dryden); and from others who have more or less unconsciously imitated him in more minute details of thought or expression. These quotations, covering a wide range of literature, are given in full in connection with the Vergilian passage to which they are in any way related. A careful study of these cannot fail to give the student not only a more thorough understanding and appreciation of Vergil's text, but also an introduction to much that is best in the world's classical literature. In these quotations, translations of all foreign languages except Latin have been employed, and the references by book and line are to these translations. The translators of the more frequently quoted authors are Bryant (Homer), Longfellow (Dante), Rose (Ariosto), and Wiffen (Tasso).

The text has been made up by a careful comparison of the editions of Conington and other commentators; much reliance has also been placed upon Brambach's decisions as to the best spelling of Latin words.

A carefully constructed map presents all the places mentioned by Vergil, and shows by a clearly defined line the course of Aeneas from Troy to his final landing in Italy.

An entirely new feature in school text-books is furnished by the twelve full-page illustrations, reproduced from carefully selected photographs of famous paintings and statues. It is hoped that this feature will add much to the artistic and æsthetic value of the book, serving both to illustrate the text and to rest and relieve the mind. These illustrations are supplemented by numerous woodcuts gathered from various sources.

Especial pains has been expended upon the Vocabulary, in order that it might be the most efficient tool possible in the translation of Vergil. It contains in most cases the first meaning of the words, whether so used in Vergil or not, and all shades of meaning found in the six books of the Aeneid, together with a reference to the place in the text where each such use first occurs. The Vocabulary thus becomes a partial concordance, which will be of value in finding many desired passages. Following the Vocabulary is a list of all words which occur ten times or more in these books of the Aeneid.

Thanks are due to Prof. Charles Chandler, of the University of Chicago, for his critical reading of the work in MS., and for his many valuable suggestions; also to Prof. F. F. Abbott, of the University of Chicago, and to Dr. Herbert C. Tolman, of the University of Wisconsin, for valuable assistance in the work of proof-reading.

WILLIAM R. HARPER.

FRANK J. MILLER.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION:

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF VERGIL.

LIST OF TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION

TESTIMONIA DE VERGILIO

INDUCTIVE STUDIES

1. Vergilian Verse

2. The Royal House of Troy .

3. Uses of the Genitive.

4. Uses of the Dative