The works of Horace : with English notes, critical and ... - Cristo Raul

—
— —
EXPLANATORY NOTES. BOOK I., ODE II. 263
SS-27. 22. Graves Peraa. "The formidable Parthians." Compare,
as regards the force oi gravis, the similar employment of (Sapig in Qreek.
rhns Alexander is called Papbg Hipaaiai. Theocrit., ( xvii., 1 9.)
—
Persa.
Horace frequently uses the terms Medi and Persce to denote the Parthians
The Median preceded the Persian power, which, after the interval of the
Grecian dominion, was succeeded by the Parthian empire. The epithet
graves alludes to the defeat of Crassus, and the check of Marc Antony.
Perirent, For perituri fuissent. [Z^mpt, J 525.)—23. Vitio parentum
rara inventus. " Posterity thinned through the guilt of their fathers."
Alluding to the sanguinary conflicts of the civil contest.—25. Vocet. For
invocA.—Huentis imperi rebus. " To the affairs of the falling empire."
i2eJws by a GrEecism for cd res.—26. Preccqua. " By what supplications."
—27. Virgines Sanctis. Alluding to the vestal virgins. Minus audientem
carmina. " Less favorably hearing their solemn prayers." Carmen is
frequently used to denote any set foim of words either in prose or verse.
The reference here is to prayers and supplications, repeated day after day,
and constituting so many set forms of the B/oman ritual. As Julius C:£sar
was Pontifex Maximus at the time of his death, he was also, by virtue of
his office, priest of Vesta ; it being particularly incumbent on the Pontifex
Maximus to exercise a superintending control over the rites of that god
deas. Hence the anger of the goddess toward the Romans on account of
Gssar's death.
89-39. 29. Paries scelus expiandi. " The task of expiating our guilt."
Scelus refers to the crimes and excesses of the civil conflict. They whcf
were polluted by the stain of human blood were excluded from all participation
in the sacred rites until proper atonement had been made. This
atonement in the present case is to consist, not in punishing the slayers of
Caesar, which had already been done, but in placing the state once more
on the firm basis of peace and concord. As this seemed too great a task
for a mere mortal, the aid of the gods is solicited. (Gesner, ad Zoc.)—31.
Nube candentes, &c. " Having thy bright shoulders shrouded with a cloud."
The gods, when they were pleased to manifest themselves to mortal eye,
were generally, in poetiq imagery, clothed with clouds, in order to hide
from mortal gaze the excessive splendorof their presence. Augur Apollo.
"Apollo, god of-prophecy."—33. Erycina ridens. "Smiling goddess of
Eryx." Venus,*o called from her temple on Mount Eryx in Sicily.—34.
Quam Jocus circum, &o. " Around whom hover Mirth and Love."—36.
Respicis. "Thou again beholdest with a favoring eye." When the gods
turned their eyes toward their worshippers, it was a sign o' favor; when
they averted them, of displeasure. Auctor. "Founder of the Roman
line." Addressed to Mars as the reputed father of Komalus and Remus.
39. Marsi. The MSS. have Maui-i, for which Faber conjectured Marsi,
and this last has been adopted by Dacier, Bentley, Cunningham, Sana-
don, and others. T^e people of Mauretania were never remarkable for
their valor, and their cavalry, besides, were always decidedly superior to
their infantry. The Marsi, on the other hand, vi'ere reputed to have been
•me of the most valiant nations of Italy. The modem German editors have
generally retained Mauri, and give peditis the meaning of " dismounted,"
making the allusion to be to the defeat of Juba at Thapsns. This, how
ever, is extremely unsatisfactory. Cruentum. This epithet beantiiully
describes the foe, as transfixed by the weapon of the Marsian, and "wel
tering in his blood."
—