Tiberinus's Argument
Nature is also heavily featured in the scene when Tiberinus speaks to Aeneas. Tiberinus as the god of the Tiber is very relevant to Roman readers because the city depends on the river for transportation, trade, and more. Tiberinus as the personification of the Tiber river is a very natural god. He is described as “deus..loci” which means god of the place. Since book 8 happens near and at where Rome will be, place and locality are emphasized. In his actual speech he uses complex language and gives a prophecy both of which serve to raise his status.
An example of his complex speech is the indirect statement “ne vana putes haec fingere somnum” meaning lest you think that sleep creates these false things. Indirect statements, as their name suggests,
are not direct or clear. In this one in particular part of the direct object – vana – is not enclosed in the phrase starting after “putes”. In addition it is not obvious what the subject or direct objects is because both are in the accusative case. Though it makes the most sense to have “somnum” as the subject and “vana haec” as the direct objects.
Later Tiberinus says “nunc qua ratione quod instat expedias victor paucis adverte docebo” with subordinated relative clauses this sentence too is complex. It can be translated as: now turn! I will teach with few words by what reason you as victor may obtain that which threatens. The use of two relative clauses and multiple verb forms in the sentence make this sentence a difficult one. These complex sentences make the reader slow down to fully understand because the meaning is not clear. The poetic style of the speech, which these clauses are an example of, shows Tiberinus’ rhetorical skill. The style garners the attention of the reader because they have to really slow down to understand and it also elevates Tiberinus’ status because it portrays him like Roman orators.
Not only does the grammar and syntax that Tiberinus uses elevate him but also the actual content of his speech does so as well.
An example of his complex speech is the indirect statement “ne vana putes haec fingere somnum” meaning lest you think that sleep creates these false things. Indirect statements, as their name suggests,
are not direct or clear. In this one in particular part of the direct object – vana – is not enclosed in the phrase starting after “putes”. In addition it is not obvious what the subject or direct objects is because both are in the accusative case. Though it makes the most sense to have “somnum” as the subject and “vana haec” as the direct objects.
Later Tiberinus says “nunc qua ratione quod instat expedias victor paucis adverte docebo” with subordinated relative clauses this sentence too is complex. It can be translated as: now turn! I will teach with few words by what reason you as victor may obtain that which threatens. The use of two relative clauses and multiple verb forms in the sentence make this sentence a difficult one. These complex sentences make the reader slow down to fully understand because the meaning is not clear. The poetic style of the speech, which these clauses are an example of, shows Tiberinus’ rhetorical skill. The style garners the attention of the reader because they have to really slow down to understand and it also elevates Tiberinus’ status because it portrays him like Roman orators.
Not only does the grammar and syntax that Tiberinus uses elevate him but also the actual content of his speech does so as well.