Lecture Notes on Virgil's Aeneid Book 2

Introduction

• Presenter: Erica
• Topic: Virgil's Aeneid Book 2
• Key Summary: Greeks build a giant wooden horse and defeat the Trojans.
• Background: Roman retelling of a Greek myth, told from Aeneas' point of view, written 700 years later.

Narrative Setup

• Previous context: Dido asks Aeneas to recount his journey from Troy to North Africa.
• Aeneas warns the story is lengthy and sensitive.

Key Elements of the Story

The Greeks' Strategy

• Greeks, unable to win for years, receive help from goddess Minerva.
• Build a massive wooden horse as a deceptive ploy.
• Greeks pretend to leave, hiding soldiers inside the horse.
• Trojans find the horse, debate action.

Trojan Reaction

• Trojans split on what to do with the horse.
• Some celebrate prematurely, others skeptical.
• Laocoön, a priest of Apollo, warns against trusting the Greeks.
  • Famous line: "I fear Greeks bearing gifts."

Sinon’s Deception

• Capture of Sinon, a Greek soldier, who spins a false tale.
• Claims victimization by Greeks, gains Trojan sympathy.
• Lies about the horse being an offering to Minerva.
• Trojans convinced to bring the horse into the city.

Fall of Troy

The Trojan Horse

• Greeks emerge from the horse at night.
• Open city gates for the returning Greek army.

Aeneas' Dream

• Visited by Hector's ghost, urged to flee and save Troy's legacy.

Aeneas' Actions

• Initially fights to defend Troy, but realizes the city's doom.
• Priam's death: Priam killed by Pyrrhus in the palace.

Escape Plan

• Aeneas decides to save his family.
• Attempts to flee with father Anchises, son Ascanius, and wife Creusa.
• Creusa lost in the chaos, appears as a spirit urging Aeneas to continue.

Aftermath

• Aeneas accepts his role to lead surviving Trojans to a new destiny.

Conclusion

• Book 2 ends with Aeneas leading survivors out of Troy.

Further Discussion

• Next part of the Aeneid will cover Aeneas' journey from Troy to North Africa.