This course is a study of the Aeneid of Vergil. Students work on reviewing and refining their
understanding of Latin grammar. This is intended to prepare them for both the multiple-choice section of
the test as well as the free response section. Students are exposed to a number of different Latin authors
and are given ample opportunity to practice answering grammar questions based on these readings.
Students also read the required excerpts from the Aeneid in the original Latin and the entire work in
English. Students learn the rules for scansion of dactylic hexameter and how the meter affects the
meaning and significance of the poem. Students also learn the literary devices used to convey meaning
and poetic quality to the work. Students are required to apply this knowledge to the text in analyzing
passages. In addition, students become familiar with the historical context of the poem and its
significance for this major work.
At the beginning of the course students are given a copy of the syllabus and a printout of the
requirements as listed in the AP Central website. All students have their own copy of the textbooks
listed on the textbook page.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Read Book 1 in English
Read introductory material about Vergil and the Age of Augustus
Do sections from chp.1 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Translate lines 1-156
When passages refer to historical events or the character of Augustus students are
asked to analyze the references.
Finish reading Book I in English
Read about and learn Figures of Speech
Begin analyzing the Latin using Figures of Speech
Learn dactylic hexameter rules for scansion
Begin scanning lines of Latin
Do sections from chp. 2 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Translate lines 157-296
Read Bk 2 in English
Do sections from chp 3 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Translate lines 297-440
From this point on each translation includes analyzing the literary devices and the
meter and how they impact the poem.
Read Bk 3 in English
Do sections from chp 4 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Do one section from Excelability in Advanced Latin as a sight translation
Translate lines 441-519
Translate lines from Book II 1-56
Read Bk 4 in English
Do sections from chp 5 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Do one section from Excelability in Advanced Latin as a sight translation
Translate lines 199-297 and 469-525
Read Bk 5 in English
Do sections from chp 6 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Do one section from Excelability in Advanced Latin as a sight translation
Translate lines 526-566 and 735-804 and from Book IV 1-53
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Read Bk 6 in English
Do sections from chp 7 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Do one section from Excelability in Advanced Latin as a sight translation
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 1
Translate Bk IV 54-198
Read Bk 7 in English
Do sections from chp 8 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Do one section from Excelability in Advanced Latin as a sight translation
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 2
Translate lines 199-361
Read Bk 8 in English
Do sections from chp 9 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Do one section from Excelability in Advanced Latin as a sight translation
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 3
Translate lines 362-448 and 642 –705
Read Bk 9 in English
Do sections from chp 10 Excelability in Advanced Latin
Do one section from Excelability in Advanced Latin as a sight translation
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 4
Translate Bk VI lines 1-155
Read Bk 10 in English
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 5
Translate lines 156-211, 450-476 and 847-901 (Book VI)
Read Bk 11 in English
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 6
Translate Book X 420-509 and Book XII 791-842
Read Bk 12 in English
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 7
Translate Book XII 887-952
Read Art of the Aeneid chp 8
Review and take practice tests
These weeks are also to allow for finishing translations that may have been delayed
due to changes in the schedule for testing, homerooms, etc.
Review and take practice tests AP EXAM WEEK
Textbooks
Pharr, Clyde
Vergil’s Aeneid Books I-VI
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc
1998
The complete text of the Aeneid in Latin for Books I-VI with notes and vocabulary. Also an introduction
to the work.
Jenney, Charles, Jr.
Scudder
Coffin
Fourth Year Latin
Prentice Hall
1990
Text, notes and glossary for parts of the Aeneid required for the exam. Introductory material on the Age
of Augustus and Vergil. Indices including grammar, literary terms and scansion rules.
Weiden-Boyd, Barbara
Vergil’s Aeneid 10 and 12 Pallas and Turnus
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc
2003
An introduction, the complete text in Latin with notes and vocabulary for the selections of Books 10 and
12 required for the AP exam. Also a glossary of rhetorical terms and figures of speech.
Colakis, Marianthe
Gaylan
DuBose
Excelability in Advanced Latin, A Workbook for Students
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc
2004
A Systematic review of Latin grammar with passages from numerous Latin authors and exercises based
on the passages. An explanation of literary devices with exercises based on the Latin authors. An
explanation of several commonly used meters including dactylic hexameter and instructions on
scansion.
Anderson, William
The Art of the Aeneid
Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, Inc
2005
Background information on Vergil and a literary analysis of all 12 books of the Aeneid. Also included is
a chapter on translating and an analysis of Vergil’s style.
Other
Articles from The Classical Outlook: The Journal of the American Classical League that discuss
students’ responses to the free response section of the Vergil exam.
Notes from various commentaries that present a variety of topics on the Aeneid and the Age of Augustus
are given to students in class.