Unit 5: Vergil, Aeneid, Book 4

Salvete Omnes 🏛️! We’re more than half-way completed in reviewing the AP Latin curriculum (and we hope you have been with us throughout your entire journey.) This unit covers going into Book IV of the Aeneid

Aeneas and Dido have fallen madly in love 💘, and although Dido was previously married to Sychaeus, having been deceased, Anna, Dido’s sister, informs her to think about the present, not the past. As Dido shows Aeneas Carthage, Juno attempts to end the rivalry 🤺 between herself and Venus when she announces that Dido and Aeneas will be wed after their day of hunting is concluded. Rumor of the prominent marriage will arise. Let’s find out how King Iarbas reacts.

After Iarbas insults 🤬 his father and asks him to act upon the “marriage” of Dido and Aeneas, Jupiter comprehends his request and sends Mercury, the messenger ✉️ god, to Aeneas. Mercury is instructed to inform Aeneas to leave Carthage where Mercury will now spot Aeneas managing the building of the new city. Let’s watch how this conversation plays out.

After Mercury’s surprising 😲 visit regarding Jupiter’s order to Aeneas in leaving Carthage for Italy, Aeneas, once deliberating whether he should stay or listen to Jupiter, eventually decides to leave and orders his men to begin preparing for their departure. However, Dido catches on and her response becomes vivid within these lines. Oh no, watch out 🍿! This isn’t going to be good.

Once Aeneas finished his rebuttal, Dido fiercely responded only to storm off ⛈️ before Aeneas responded as Aeneas ignored her and continued to prepare for Italy. Meanwhile, as preparations are quickly moving, Dido’s will to live becomes shattered as Anna has no luck 🍀 in slowing down the Trojan’s preparations. Dido has all intentions to commit suicide, but can’t sleep 😴 as love takes over, questioning whether she should go with Aeneas or stay in Carthage.