by Peter Jones
Learning vocabulary for Passage 6, Juno and Semele
adhūc so far
amplector 3 dep. amplexus embrace
ardeō 2 arsī arsum burst into flames
contingō 3 contigī happen (to + dat.), come in touch/contact with
culpō 1 blame, find fault
dōn-um ī 2n. gift
fūrtim secretly
ineō inīre iniī initum enter
iūrgi-um ī 2n. abuse, insult
mortāl-is e mortal, human
nimium too (much); too much of +gen.
optō 1 wish
probō 1 approve of, prove
recēns recent-is fresh, new
remoueō 2 remōuī remōtum remove, disperse
soluō 3 soluī solūtum unleash, release, let go
tener -a um delicate
uiolent-us a um savage, excessive
Study section
1. Write out and scan ll.253–6.
2. Is Semele justly treated? If so, in whose eyes?
3. What do you make of Jupiter in this episode? Does he differ from the Jupiter of earlier stories?
4. ‘[Jupiter] knows that his uīs, his sexual power, will be too much for Semele. He tries to wear himself out first, by casting thunderbolts around’ (Sharrock, in Hardie, 2002a, 96). Discuss.
Vocabulary and grammar
253 ambigu-us a um lit. ‘going this way and that’, i.e. marked by doubt
aliīs . . . aliī: ‘to some . . . while others’
*uiolent-us a um savage, excessive
aequō: ‘than was fair’ (abl. of comparison after uio-lentior)
254 dignam: referring to Diana (uocant [her] dignam)
seuēr-us a um strict, austere
255 uirginitās uirginitāt-is 3f. virginity (though Diana’s virginity was never threatened by Actaeon)
256 nōn tam . . . quam: ‘so far from ēloquitur . . . she gaudet’
. . . -ne . . . -ne: ‘whether . . . or’ (= utrum . . . an)
*culpō 1 blame, find fault
*probō 1 approve
257 ēloquor 3 dep. express a view
clād-ēs is 3f. disaster (abl. after gaudet)
Agēnōr -is 3m. Agenor, father of Cadmus and Europa. The latter was another of Jupiter’s lovers (see Background to passage 5, Diana and Actaeon). Hence Juno’s pleasure in the death of anyone connected with that line – in this case, Cadmus’ grandson Actaeon (generis sociōs 259)
258 Tyri-us a um Tyrian, from Tyre (in ancient Phoenicia, modern Lebanon), i.e. Europa
trānsferō trānsferre transfer
259 generis sociōs: i.e. Europa’s relatives
odi-um ī 2n. hatred
subeō take the place of, succeed (+ dat.)
260 *recēns recent-is fresh, new (causa = reason for grievance). By this device Ovid introduces the story of Cadmus’ daughter Semele, who (for a change) is a willing lover of Jupiter
grauid-us a um pregnant
dolet: i.e. it rankles with Juno [that + acc. and inf.]
sēmen sēmin-is 3n. seed
261 Semelēn: Greek acc. of Semele
*iūrgi-um ī 2n. abuse, insult (to be directed at Jupiter)
*soluō 3 soluī solūtum unleash, release, let go
262 prōficiō 3/4 prōfēcī achieve
totiēns so many times, so often
263 ipsa . . . ipsam: i.e. Semele
sī: note the rising sī tricolon (263–6) with anaphora and asyndeton
264 rīte properly
gemmāns gemmant-is bejewelled
265 scēptr-um ī 2n. sceptre
decet it is right, fitting for X (acc.)
rēgīn-a ae 1f. queen
266 at: introduces an objection from Semele’s point of view (‘But [I imagine she will say]’). putō is ironic: of course Juno knows Semele will not be content with what she has
fūrt-um ī 2n. theft, deception (i.e. the fact that Jupiter has deceived Juno to have an affair with Semele)
267 content-us a um fully satisfied
iniūri-a ae 1f. harm, wrong
268 concipiō 3/4 conceive, be pregnant
dērat: = dēerat, from dēsum ‘be lacking’. The idea is ‘that was the only thing that hadn’t happened (but it had now’), i.e. ‘that’s all it needed!’
manifest-us a um obvious
269 uter-us ī 2m. womb
uix : Juno’s children by Jupiter included Vulcan, the lame blacksmith god, Ares the war-god, Hebe, and the goddesses of childbirth
*contingō 3 contigī happen (to + dat.), come in touch/contact with
270 fīdūci-a ae 1f. [Semele’s] confidence, trust
271 fallat: Jupiter is the subject; fallat is subj. after faxō
faxō: = fēcerō, i.e. before Semele has had Jupiter’s child, ‘I shall have brought it about [that + subj.; ut is rare with faxō] . . .’, RL135
272 mersa . . . undās: a watery end promised for Semele – and all brought about by Jupiter! In fact Semele’s end is a fiery one, but the end result is the same (cf. 290–1)
penetrō 1 sink (into). Cf. Cybele at 10.696–707 (passage 18)
273 ab hīs: = ‘after this’
soli-um ī 2n. throne
fulu-us a um yellow
recondit-us a um concealed (recondō)
274 līmen līmin-is 3n. threshold
Semelēs: Greek gen.
ante: take with quam 275
*remoueō 2 remōuī remove, disperse
275 an-us ūs 4f. old woman
tempor-a um 3n. pl. temples
cān-ī ōrum 2m. pl. grey hair
276 sulcō 1 furrow
cut-is is 3f. skin
rūg-a ae 1f. wrinkle
tremēns trement-is trembling
277 anīl-is e old, quavering
Beroē: Greek nom., Beroē
Semelēs: Greek gen.
Epidauri-us a um from Epidaurus (in Greece)
nūtrīx nūtrīc-is 3f. nurse
279 loquendō: lit. ‘by talking’, but effectively = ‘after talking’
280 suspīrō 1 heave a sigh
*optō 1 wish (that ut + subj.)
281 multī: m. pl. – supply the appropriate noun
282 *ineō inīre iniī enter
pudīc-us a um chaste, innocent
283 det: jussive subj., ‘let . . .’; RL152, W28
pignus pignor-is 3n. proof, guarantee
284 quantusque et quālis . . . tantus tālisque rogātō: ‘how tall and of what sort he [is when] excipitur . . ., ask that so tall and of that sort he det . . .’; rogātō introduces two indirect commands (ut understood)
285 excipitur: i.e. into her bed
rogātō: ancient 2s. (so-called ‘future’) imper. form, RLA2(i)
286 complex-us ūs 4m. embrace
ante: adverbial, ‘in your presence’
īnsigni-a um 3n. pl. regalia (including, inevitably, his thunderbolt)
Learning vocabulary
contingō 3 contigī happen (to + dat.), come in
touch/contact with
culpō 1 blame, find fault
ineō inīre iniī enter
iūrgi-um ī 2n. abuse, insult
optō 1 wish
probō 1 approve
recēns recent-is fresh, new
remoueō 2 remōuī remove, disperse
soluō 3 soluī solūtum unleash, release, let go
uiolent-us a um savage, excessive
287 Cadmēida: Greek acc., daughter of Cadmus, i.e. Semele. This is a fine chiastic line, with Juno right in the centre – mistress of all she surveys
288 illa: change of subject, Semele
sine nōmine: i.e. without naming/specifying what it was
289 ēligō 3 choose
patiēre: = patiēris (patior – tense?), RLC2
repuls-a ae 1f. rejection, rebuff
290 quōque magis: ‘in order that crēdās the more . . .’, RL148; contrast quoque (scansion!) later in the line
cōnsci-us a um involved, witness
sun
tō: ancient 3pl. imper., RLE1
291 torrēns torrent-is 3m. torrent
timor et deus: the complement of ille, who is the river Styx (see note on 1.737)
292 laeta . . . obsequiō: a terrifying tricolon
*nimium too (much); too much of (+ gen.)
293 obsequi-um ī 2n. compliance
quālem . . . tālem: see above on 284–5
294 *amplector 3 dep. embrace
Veneris . . . foedus: pact of Venus, i.e. sexual intercourse
296 exeō exīre exiī come out, slip out
properāt-us a um hasty (properō)
297 ingemō 3 ingemuī groan
haec . . . ille: i.e. Semele . . . Jupiter
298 iūrō 1 swear
299 cōnscendō 3 ascend (to + acc.)
uultūque: all Jupiter needs is a facial expression – presumably, here, a dark one – for the clouds to obey and gather round
300 quīs: = quibus, dat. pl. after addidit, RLI3. Jupiter is here summoning the ingredients out of which he makes his thunderbolts
nimb-us ī 2m. rain-cloud
immixt-us a um mixed with (+ abl.)
fulgur -is 3n. lightning-flash (produced by winds and clouds, as Romans believed, and harmless by itself)
301 tonitr-us ūs 4m. thunder
inēuītābil-is e inescapable. The fulmen is the element that turns a harmless lightning-flash into a destructive thunderbolt
302 quā . . . usque as far as
sibi: dat. of loss, RL48.1
dēmō 3 remove, reduce
303 centiman-us ūs hundred-handed
dēiciō 3/4 dēiēcī throw/hurl down
Typhōea: Greek acc. of Typhōeus, a giant who had once attempted to dethrone Jupiter
304 armō 1 arm
feritās feritāt-is 3f. ferocity
305 Cyclōp-es um 3m. Cyclopes, forgers of the thunderbolt
306 saeuiti-a ae 1f. savagery
308 Agēnore-us a um of Agenor, Semele’s grandfather. It is odd to call Thebes ‘Agenor’s house’ because Agenor lived in Phoenicia (Lebanon). It was Agenor’s son Cadmus who founded Thebes
*mortāl-is e mortal, human
tumult-us ūs 4m. assault
309 aetheri-us a um ethereal, divine
*dōn-um ī 2n. gift (heavily ironical)
iugāl-is e of marriage. It is not uncommon in myth for marriage gifts to kill the bride; Medea sent such gifts to her husband’s new wife Glauce
*ardeō 2 arsī burst into flames
310 imperfect-us a um unformed
*adhūc so far
īnfāns īnfant-is 3m./f. infant, baby. This will turn out to be Dionysus/Bacchus, god of transformation, drink, etc.
genetrīx genetrīc-is 3f. mother
alu-us ī 2f. womb
311 *tener -a um delicate
312 īnsuō 3 sew into (+ dat.)
femur femor-is 3n. thigh
mātern-us a um mother’s. Ovid works the paradox of a child inserted patriō . . . femorī completing its mother’s term
compleō 2 complete
313 *fūrtim secretly. Does this heavily spondaic line suggest a sense of conspiracy?
Īnō: Greek nom., Ino
māterter-a ae 1f. mother’s sister
cūn-ae ārum 1f. pl. cradle, i.e. early years
314 ēducō 1 rear
datum: i.e. the baby
Nsēides: Greek nom. pl., ‘from Nysa’, located by the ancients in many parts of the world, e.g. Arabia, Libya, Ethiopia. Presumably ‘Nysa’ was supposed to explain Dionysus’ name (Greek dios means ‘divine’)
315 occulō 3 occuluī hide
lac lact-is 3n. milk
aliment-um ī 2n. nourishment, food
Learning vocabulary
adhūc so far
amplector 3 dep. amplexus embrace
ardeō 2 arsī arsum burst into flames
dōn-um ī 2n. gift
fūrtim secretly
mortāl-is e mortal, human
nimium too (much) of + gen.
tener -a um delicate
Notes
253–9: Ovid makes the transition to the story of Semele by contrasting the debate that sprang up among the gods about the justifiability of Diana’s revenge on Actaeon (253–5, cf. the river-gods visiting Peneus, Background to passage 3). Juno alone refuses judgement, because trouble for any member of Cadmus’ family is fine by her (256–8). The reason for this is explained (Jupiter’s affair with Cadmus’ sister Europa, 258–9); but now Juno has found a causa recēns for anger – Jupiter’s impregnation of a willing Semele, daughter of Cadmus (259–61). In this way, the thought-processes of Juno make the transition to Semele, and in the event will continue the theme of the previous story – ruthless divine revenge on mortals.
259–72: The logic of Juno’s justification for revenge goes: (i) 261–2, when I take it out on Jupiter for his affairs, it never makes any difference; (ii) 263–6, my authority as queen, wife and sister of Jupiter is at stake, and gives me the right to destroy Semele. The superb sī tricolon takes in Juno’s reputation (maxima . . . uocor), her authority (gemmantia . . . scēptra) and her status as rēgīna, soror, coniunx, of Jupiter (a triplet in a tricolon), ending on the spitting fourth ‘leg’, certē soror, as if she were not Jupiter’s wife at all. The whole suggests her rising sense of grievance at the insult done to her and justifies (in her own mind) her decision to act. Juno’s anger (unlike Diana’s in the last passage) seems impossible to assuage; (iii) 266–7, Semele may say she has all she wants (i.e. a child) and has done me little damage, but 268–70 (another tricolon) that is almost more than Jupiter has ever given me; (iv) 270, Semele is far too pleased with her looks anyway. This throw-away remark is a neat Ovidian touch, as if that is what really rankles with Juno; but in general, in a poem of transformation, no one should have confidence in their fōrma . . . even Jupiter, whose fōrma will prove Semele’s undoing. Conclusion: three crisp words (271) – I shall make certain Jupiter destroys her (thus keeping Juno’s hands ‘clean’ and multiplying Jupiter’s hurt). Note that the purpose of Juno’s complaint is to throw the whole blame for the affair on Semele. So Juno characterises what Semele has done as fūrtum (266), iniūria (267), crīmina (268). Since Semele is therefore to blame, she must be punished; and in punishing her, Juno will automatically punish Jupiter too (cf. her opening remarks: merely moaning about Jupiter’s behaviour has never achieved anything in the past). There was a time when Juno dealt differently with Jupiter’s amours (cf. Io, 1.622–4), but even so, sympathy for mortal sisters was never a strong suit among ancient goddesses when their own pride and status were at stake.
273–86: As Jupiter conducted his liaison with Io in a cloud to keep it secret from Juno (1.599–600), so Juno enclouds herself to keep her approach to Semele secret from Jupiter (273–4). Since she needs to win Semele’s confidence if her plan is to work, she transforms herelf into Semele’s old and trusted maid Beroē, Ovid picking out the physical features that signal ‘old’ (274–8). Juno subtly steers the lengthy conversation (the deceiver must not hurry things) towards the subject of Jupiter and Semele’s pregnancy (279–80), and plants the seeds of doubt in her mind: what if her lover were not Jupiter (280–2)? A trusted friend carries conviction with a vulnerable young woman in this situation, and Juno acts up to the part brilliantly – note the sympathetic suspīrat 280 and worried metuō 281. Note too the voice of experience at multī . . . pudīcōs (281–2): so easy for an innocent young thing to be caught unawares by exploitative males, Beroē/Juno implies. One can almost hear Juno thinking: the little whore. Juno’s suggestion of the proof Semele should seek is full of irony. First, she herself (it would seem, 266, 269) rarely experienced Jupiter as lover, but she knew that experience would be enough to kill Semele. Second, with excipitur (passive) Beroē/Juno creates a picture of Jupiter as putty in Juno’s hands (if only, Juno might be thinking to herself), hinting that anything Juno can do, surely the gorgeous Semele could do so much better . . . This is brilliant chara
cterisation.
287–96: In fact poor, ignaram (287) Semele is putty in Juno’s hands (fōrmārat 288 makes the point). Juno has brilliantly turned the tables on Jupiter by adopting Jupiter’s tactic of disguise to ‘get to’ Semele in the first place, and then so arranging matters that (ironically) Jupiter’s own undisguised fōrma as king of the gods will destroy his mortal lover. Semele duly falls into the trap, and asks Jupiter to give her a present without telling him what it is (288 – a typical ploy in ancient literature, the purpose of which is to see how far the lover will go to demonstrate his love). Without thinking – blinded by passion and self-importance? – Jupiter concedes the request, sealing it with an oath by the river Styx, normally used only for oaths between deities (289–91). Juno knew her man. Ovid signals the moment with a doom-laden, paradoxical tricolon (292–3, laeta . . . obsequiō) – contradictions scarcely possible in a normal world, but in the world in which poor Semele finds herself, all too dreadfully possible (the closing obsequiō, first word of 293, is especially powerful). And so Semele makes her fatal request (293–5). Even the king of the gods could not stop her, much as he would have wished (295–6).
297–315: Jupiter groans, and Ovid hints at his thoughts: Semele wanted it, he swore to it, but there is no going back now (297–8). No wonder Jupiter is maestissimus as he goes back to the heavens (298); no wonder he summons his mists without enthusiasm (just a look, uultū, is enough), to which he adds the other ingredients that go to make up the devastating thunderbolt itself (298–301). But here Ovid faces a problem. Everyone knew that Semele was carrying the god Bacchus/Dionysus, and that Jupiter saved him from the blast. But if Jupiter is going to blast Semele to smithereens, how will he not destroy the child as well (presumably also part of Juno’s plan)? Ovid, uniquely, explains at 302–7: there are different grades of thunderbolt, and Jupiter avoids the heavy-duty number by selecting a lower-grade version invested with less force by the Cyclopes (who forge them). This will kill Semele but allow the child to be saved. And so it happens: her mortal body cannot endure the assault of her marital ‘gift’ (308–9), but the foetus is saved, sewn into Jupiter’s thigh till it comes to term (310–12) and then secretly reared by Semele’s sister Ino (313–5) – secretly, because there was no knowing what the vengeful Juno might plan for it.
7 Tiresias, Metamorphōsēs 3.316–38
3.316–23: Jupiter wonders who gets more pleasure out of sex
