AP Latin : Authors and Literary Conventions in Vergil
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin
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Example Questions
Example Question #44 : Vergil
Laocoon, ductus Neptuno sorte sacerdos,
sollemnis taurum ingentem mactabat ad aras.
Ecce autem gemini a Tenedo tranquilla per alta
(horresco referens) immensis orbibus angues
incumbunt pelago pariterque ad litora tendunt; 5
pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta iubaeque
sanguineae superant undas, pars cetera pontum
pone legit sinuatque immensa volumine terga.
Fit sonitus spumante salo; iamque arva tenebant
ardentisque oculos suffecti sanguine et igni 10
sibila lambebant linguis vibrantibus ora.
Diffugimus visu exsangues. Illi agmine certo
Laocoonta petunt; et primum parva duorum
corpora natorum serpens amplexus uterque
implicat et miseros morsu depascitur artus. 15
"Laocoonta" in line 13 is an example of __________.
vocative case
Greek genitive
Greek accusative
ablative case
Greek accusative
"Laocoonta" is an example of the Greek accusative. Latin authors tend to sprinkle some Greek into their works here and there. Usually, it is just in the nominative or accusative form, used to refer to Greek things or people. Usually, the Greek words used end in "-a."
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 2.201-215)
Example Question #45 : Vergil
Sic pater Anchises, atque haec mirantibus addit:
'aspice, ut insignis spoliis Marcellus opimis
ingreditur victorque viros supereminet omnis.
hic rem Romanam magno turbante tumultu
sistet eques, sternet Poenos Gallumque rebellem, 5
tertiaque arma patri suspendet capta Quirino.'
atque hic Aeneas (una namque ire videbat
egregium forma iuvenem et fulgentibus armis,
sed frons laeta parum et deiecto lumina vultu)
'quis, pater, ille, virum qui sic comitatur euntem? 10
filius, anne aliquis magna de stirpe nepotum?
qui strepitus circa comitum! quantum instar in ipso!
What case is "omnis" (line 3)?
Dative
Genitive
Ablative
Accusative
Accusative
"Omnis" is in the accusative case. It is not unusual for authors to use "-is" instead of "-es" as the ending for third declension nouns. Context is essential in order to identify the use of the words when this occurs. In this case, "omnis" is being used as an adjective to describe "viros," an accusative plural noun.
(Passage adapted from the Aeneid by Vergil, 6.854-865)
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