Aeneid, Book 2, Lines 40 – 52 Adapted for use by Mr. George’s 7 th Grade Latin students

The Scene: The Trojan Horse outside Troy.The Trojan Horse outside Troy Trojans, rejoice! After ten long years, the Trojan War seems to be over. The Greek warships are gone; all that remains is a large wooden horse, which according to Sinon’s emotional testimony, is a peace offering from the Greeks to appease the goddess Athena.Sinon’s However, one man is not convinced. His name is Laocoon. He tries to convince the Trojans that the Trojan Horse is just another Greek sham. This is what he had to say… Laocoon

Sinon The Greeks, as part of their plan, enlisted Sinon to stay behind with the Trojan Horse. Sinon pretended to be betrayed by the Greeks and, with dramatic sobs and big tears, convinced the gullible Trojans that the horse was meant to be a gift from the Greeks to say “sorry” for all the trouble of they caused during the Trojan War. Back

Laocoon Back Laocoon and his two young sons eaten by snakes Laocoon was a Trojan priest and he was one of the only Trojans to sound the alarm about the Trojan horse. In the Latin passage we’re going to read, Laocoon pokes some serious holes into Sinon’s story about the Trojan Horse being nothing more than a friendly peace-offering. His angry rant seemingly brings the Trojans down to earth. However, Poseidon, fearing that Laocoon would ruin the Greeks’ chance at victory, sends two snakes to eat him after his famous speech, making sure the shocked Trojans would reject his advice.

Laocoon’s Speech Laocoön ardens decurrit ab summā arce;ardensdecurrit ibi ante omnēs in magnā catervā,catervā dixit: “O miserī civēs, quae tanta insania est? CreditisCreditis hostēs avectōs esse? Aut putatisavectōsputatis dona ulla Danaum sine dolore esse? Sic notus Ulixes? Ulixes Comprehension Questions

Glossary ardens = burning decurrit = de + currit caterva = crowd avectōs < aveho, avehere, avexī, avectus = turn away (perfect passive participle) Ulixes = Odysseus. Even before he came up with the idea of the Trojan Horse, Odysseus was well known as a wily trickster. Back

Indirect Statement! Remember: Creditis and putatis in this passage both introduce indirect statement.indirect statement Indirect statement is when the speaker states the thoughts or beliefs of others, without using a direct quotation. Example from English: I believe that you are wrong. Back

Comprehension Questions 1.Where is Laocoon coming from? 2.Whom is he addressing? 3.What does Laocoon say that the crowd believes? 4.What does Laocoon say that the crowd thinks? 5.Why do you think Laocoon is addressing the crowd with questions? What response is he trying to evoke? Back Continue to Part II

Laocoon’s Speech Continued aut Achivī in hōc lignō equō occultanturAchivīoccultantur aut haec machina fabricata est ut domōs inspectet desuper urbe et in nostrōs murōs veniat, aut aliquis error latet; equō ne credite, Teucrī. Quicquid id est, timeo Danaōs et dona ferentēs.”fabricata estutdesuperlatet Teucrī ferentēs Comprehension Questions ut

Glossary, Part II Achivī = another way to say “Greeks” occulantur = (it’s passive!) collect fabricata est = perfect passive desuper = de + super latet = hide Teucrī = another way to say “Trojans” ferentēs = bearing Back

Purpose Clauses! ut here introduces a purpose clause…purpose clause Laocoon is trying to explain the reasons why the Greeks built the horse. These reasons (or purposes) are explained after the ut in a long purpose clause. The Greeks built the horse ut… domōs inspectet desuper urbedesuper et in nostrōs murōs veniat aut aliquis error latetlatet Back

Comprehension Questions, Part II 1.What does Laocoon accuse the Greeks of doing? Why does he think they built the Horse? 2.What does Laocoon ask the Trojans to do? 3.What does Laocoon say that he fears? 4.What does Laocoon do after he finishes his speech? 5.We know that the Trojans don’t accept Laocoon’s advice. Why do you think they do this? Back End