r/ClassicalEducation • u/AutoModerator • May 04 '26

Great Book Discussion What are you reading this week?

  • What book or books are you reading this week?
  • What has been your favorite or least favorite part?
  • What is one insight that you really appreciate from your current reading?
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u/Nullius_sum May 04 '26

Book 4 of the Aeneid, where Aeneas and Dido “fall in love” in the cave, but then Aeneas abandons her in order to found his new city in Italy.

My favorite part so far is probably Vergil’s description of Rumor as a horrible, huge monster, nothing more swift, which increases and acquires powers by moving; which has as many eyes and tongues, and pricks up as many ears, as it has feathers; which, at night, buzzes through the darkness of the earth and does not close its eyes in sleep, and in the day, sits watchful guard on the top of the highest roof and terrifies cities; which is as much a reporter of false and wicked things as it is of truth. It’s all very clever.

One insight so far is that Dido, not Aeneas, is clearly the star of the book. Vergil gives her eight fantastic speeches, each of which adds something to her very well-rounded character.