Category Archives: Roman Epics

You get a funeral game! And you get a funeral game! And you get a funeral game! Discussion Prompts Retell this book from the perspective of the women. Which funeral game is your favorite? Why? What purpose do the consolation prizes serve? Discuss the role of fate as we see it in this book. WhyContinue reading “Roman Epics XIV: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 5, or the Trojan Cup”

I hope you’re not too attached to Dido. Discussion Prompts Is Dido really in love with Aeneas? How good of a counselor is Anna? Also, is Dido in middle school? Are Dido and Aeneas married? Why or why not? How might this story be different if the gods stayed out of it? Can Aeneas make different choices?Continue reading “Roman Epics XIII: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 4, or It’s Not Pretty When Euripides is Your Model”

This journey sounds vaguely familiar… Discussion Prompts How might this story be different if the Trojans had listened to Cassandra? Discuss the role trauma plays in this story. How would you go about writing an epic about the Trojan War and its aftermath? Compare/contrast Andromache’s story as told by Virgil and as told by Euripides.Continue reading “Roman Epics XII: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 3, or Wait, Haven’t I Heard This Story Before?”

I knew there was a horse in Troy! I’m not finding a royalty-free photo of the Bernini’s “Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius,” but you can read all about it at the Museo Borghese website here. Is it Bernini’s best? Meh. But I still love his work. I was, however, able to find a royalty-free picture ofContinue reading “Roman Epics XI: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 2, or We Finally Hear About the Horse”

Aeneas gets shipwrecked in Book 1 of The Aeneid. Discussion Prompts What does Juno’s love of Carthage say about her relationship to Rome? AP Credit: Roman imperialism as shown in this book. And… GO! How much free will does Dido have? Why? How would you feel about having Venus as your mother? Why? AP Credit:Continue reading “Roman Epics X: Virgil’s Aeneid Book 1, or Joanie Loves Chachi, I Mean, Juno Loves Carthage”

Virgil likes bees for their honey and their metaphorical nature. If you have PBS Passport, I highly recommend this version of the Gluck opera about Orpheus and Eurydice. It is a beautiful reimagining, modern update. It’s available until 1/16/22, so there’s still time to catch it unless you’ve come to this episode long after itContinue reading “Roman Epics XI: Virgil’s Georgics Book 4, or The Birds and the Bees Minus the Birds”

Virgil goes into great detail on animal husbandry in Book 3 of the Georgics. Discussion Prompts Pick one: Cattle, horses, sheep, or goats? Why? AP Credit: Compare/contrast the Biblical stories about sheep and goats with Virgil’s discussion of sheep and goats. What do you think about Virgil’s discussion of different herding practices? What’s your favorite partContinue reading “Roman Epics X: Virgil’s Georgics Book 3, or Look! Cows!”

Virgil speaks for the trees in Book 2 of the Georgics. Discussion Prompts If you were a tree what kind of tree would you be? Why? Discuss Virgil’s take on terroir. How has the land where you live and/or grew up affected who you are today? What do you think of the Georgics so far? Why?Continue reading “Roman Epics IX: Virgil’s Georgics Book 2, or The Lorax”

Virgil expounds on farming in the first book of the Georgics. Discussion Prompts. AP Credit: Compare/contrast Virgil’s story of early human existence and the biblical Garden of Eden. Are we better since Jupiter brought pain into the world? AP Credit: Compare/contrast Hesiod’s “fall of man” with Virgil’s. Do you believe Virgil really is happy aboutContinue reading “Roman Epics VIII: Virgil’s Georgics Book 1, or Not Hesiod’s Works and Days”

Virgil loved Rome and Rome loved Virgil. Discussion Prompts How familiar are you with the works of Virgil? What are you looking forward to reading?