The Resolutions: plausible? just?       Clas. 4110, Fri. Nov. 13
Murex Shells and Epic Clothing

1.1 Review of contents. In Laurentum, Turnus leaves for his last battle (cf. Hector, Iliad 22). Latinus¹ and Amata¹s speeches (cf. Priam, Hecuba). Juno-Juturna scene. Truce and its violation (single combat scene delayed). Wounding of Aeneas. Turnus¹ aristeia (Mars simile XII.454-63). Healing and aristeia of Aeneas. Attack on Laurentum and death of Amata.

1.2 Amata and women in leadership positions. Amata and Juno. Amata vs. Creusa, Andromache, Lavinia, Venus.

1.3 Return of Turnus and meeting with Aeneas. Broken sword (divine armour affects the fight). Interventions (Juturna, Venus)

1.4 Jupiter and Juno: reconciliation. Basis and terms. Sending the Dira to Juturna.

1.5 Juturna and Turnus: refusal of reconciliation.

1.6 Death of Turnus. Role of the gods (vs. Aeneas¹ martial prowess). A last example of peripeteia: the belt of Pallas.

1.7 Two readings of the conclusion. Aeneas as the embodiment of Stoic virtues (labour, self-control, austerity). Ambiguity and openness. Aeneas still susceptible to furor.

2.1 Murex shells and epic clothing

2.2 References: Iliad 4.141-47, 7.303-5, 9.199-200, Odyssey 4.124-7, 4.319-22, 7.359-62, 8.394-400, Argonautica, p. 55, Aeneid IV.352-9, VI.307-11, XII.92-8

2.3 murex trunculus: a mollusc, found in the Mediterranean (to this day), secretes a substance used for dying

2.4 On the ancient use of murex: Pliny the Elder, Natural History, 9.125-41.

2.5 Description of the process and slide presentation. Aperlae (a city on the coast of Lycia, in present-day Turkey)

2.6 Purple clothing = a sign of wealth (Greece), a mark of wealth and rank (Rome)