Book VI
Aeneid - Book VI - This is a very important book in the Aeneid. It
performs several functions. First it gives us one of the only existing
clearly written descriptions of the underworld. Secondly it praises
Augustus, Vergil's patron and Augustus' heir apparent Marcellus who
tragically died young. Lastly Anchises traces for Aeneas all of his
descendants through Roman history down to Augustus thereby linking
Augustus to the gods, one of the primary goals of the entire poem.
Questions
1. Aeneas visits the Sibyl of _________ in order to go to the
underworld to see his father Anchises.
2. In the cave of the Sibyl, Aeneas finds a temple built by _________.
3. Scenes of what happening decorate the walls of the temple?
4. Achates brings out the Sibyl, whose real name is ____________.
5. What was the Sibyl's first command to Aeneas?
6. Aeneas must do two more things in order to go to the underworld. What were they?
7. Venus sends 2 ______ to lead Aeneas to the _______ ________ in the forest.
8. In the underworld, where do Cares, Diseases, Age, Dread, Hunger, Want, Death, Toil,
and Sleep (Death's brother) live?
9. Where do War and Discord live?
10. Where do Dreams live?
11. Where do the centaur, Scylla, Briareus, the Lernean hydra, the Chimaera, the
Gorgons, the Harpies, and Geryon live?
12. Name the three rivers of the underworld.
13. Name three of his men that Aeneas meets in the underworld.
14. How do Aeneas and the Sibyl get by Charon, the ferryman?
15. How do they get by Cerberus?
16. Describe what happens when Aeneas meets Dido.
17. When Aeneas met Deiophobus, what did they talk about?
18. The only living soul to ever enter Tartarus was _________. She was led there by
the goddess _________.
19. Where does Aeneas meet his father Anchises?
20. Briefly describe what this place looks like.
21. Aeneas saw souls waiting to return to earth. How many years did they have to wait
before they could be reincarnated?
22. Name a few of Aeneas' important descendants that his father points out to him.