AP Latin : Poetic Syntax

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Latin

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Example Questions

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Example Question #262 : Sight Reading

Arma gravi numero violentaque bella parabam
edere, materia conveniente modis.
par erat inferior versus—risisse Cupido
dicitur atque unum surripuisse pedem.
'Quis tibi, saeve puer, dedit hoc in carmina iuris?
Pieridum vates, non tua turba sumus.
quid, si praeripiat flavae Venus arma Minervae,
ventilet accensas flava Minerva faces?
quis probet in silvis Cererem regnare iugosis,
lege pharetratae Virginis arva coli?
crinibus insignem quis acuta cuspide Phoebum
instruat, Aoniam Marte movente lyram?
sunt tibi magna, puer, nimiumque potentia regna;
cur opus adfectas, ambitiose, novum?
an, quod ubique, tuum est? tua sunt Heliconia tempe?

What is the role of the underlined word "Minervae" in line 7?

Possible Answers:

Describes "Venus"

Direct object of "praeripiat"

Describes "arma" (line 7)

Subject of "ventilet"

Correct answer:

Describes "arma" (line 7)

Explanation:

The word "Minervae" comes from "Minerva," "Minervae." In the context of this sentence, it is clear that "Minervae" is describing "arma" in line 7. It could do this in either the dative or genitive case—either would be correct. The correct choice is "Describes 'arma.'"

(Passage adapted from Amores by Ovid, I.1–15)

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