Ucalegon and the Scaean Gate
Francis Bliss
In Books One and Two of the Aeneid Vergil re-uses the chief
personages from
the scene of the Scaean Gate in Homer, Iliad 3.145 ff.
Oddest is Ucalegon,
whose name meaning "Mr. What-me-worry?" is prefigured by a simile in Iliad
16.384-393 telling how the gods punish kings "who heed not the (warning)
eye of the gods" (Greek "qew=n o)/pin )*o*u*k
)*a*l*e/*g*o*ntes", cf. Vergil's
"Ucalegon"). Vergil develops this almost allegorical name/formula of Homer
to enrich his own version of the Fall of Troy.
Go to the VERGILIUS Home Page | Masthead
|
table
of contents (1996)
| Annual Bibliographies
| email the editor or the webmaster
created 4/6/97