Students should be given extensive practice in reading at sight and in translating literally so that their translations not only are accurate and precise, but also make sense in English. In some cases an idiom may be translated in a way that makes sense in English but is rather loose compared to the Latin construction. They must also translate, accurately paraphrase, or otherwise make clear in their discussion that they understand the Latin. The students must demonstrate that they are drawing conclusions or support from the Latin text, and not from a general recall of the passage. Meter, Scansion, and Figures of Speech in the Vergil Course Students should know how to scan dactylic hexameter verse.
Scansion includes indicating elision and the metrical quantities of syllables.
Students should also be familiar with the figures of speech commonly used by Vergil in the Aeneid. Roman Culture in the Vergil Course Familiarity with pertinent Roman cultural, social, and political history and the study of the ancient epic as a literary genre are assumed. Although reading from the Iliad and Odyssey is not required, it is hoped that the teacher will point out parallels between the Aeneid and the works of Homer. Vergil course is flexible and depends on such factors as the extent and character of the students' prior training and general ability, as well as the teacher's own background and inclinations. On the day of the exam, students indicate which pair of authors they are prepared to be tested on.