[672] From Il. 12. 127 foll., where two Lapithae, Polypoetes and Leonteus, keep the gate of the Greek rampart. Macrob. Sat. 6. 2 says that it is modelled on a scene during the Histrian war in Enn. Ann. 15. Pandarus has the same name as the Homeric hero. ‘Bitias’ 1. 738 seems to be a Carthaginian.
[673] Iovis luco the grove of Jove on Ida. ‘Eduxit’ 6. 765 note. ‘Iaera,’ one of the Nereids Il. 18. 42, is here made a wood-nymph.
[674] ἕστασαν ὡς ὅτε τε δρύες οὔρεσιν ὑψικάρηνοι Il. 12. 132, where however the comParison rather regards firmness than height, as the context shows. Bryant plausibly conj. “in montibus:” but Virg. doubtless wished to vary the expression, remembering the comParison of Polyphemus and the queen of the Laestrygons to mountain-peaks Od. 9. 191., 10. 113. He also thought of Il. 5. 560 ἐλάτῃσιν ἐοικότες ὑψηλῇσιν. It matters little whether ‘patriis’ goes with ‘abietibus’ or with ‘montibus.’ Pal., Gud., and another of Ribbeck's cursives have ‘patriis iuvenes.’
[675] Serv. gives a choice of interpretations of ‘commissa,’ “credita” and “clausa,” preferring the latter, a fancy in which modern commentators have not followed him. ‘Ducis’ is doubtless Aeneas. We may suppose that they had the general charge of the gate, others acting as sentries under them, vv. 176, 221.
[676] Armis emphatic: trusting not to defences, but to the arms in their hands; so that we need not be tempted by Peerlkamp's ‘animis.’ Possibly however it may mean the arms of their comrades: comp. Il. 12. 153, λαοῖσιν καθύπερθε πεποιθότες ἠδὲ βίῃφιν: but this is less likely. A third view is conceivable, that it may come from “armus:” comp. 4. 11., 11. 641, 644. ‘Moenibus’ apparently = “in moenia,” so that it is not parallel to “solio invitat” 8. 178.
[677] They stand on each side of the gate before the ramparts, making room for the Rutulians to enter, but ready to fall on them as soon as they are within. “Pro turribus,” above v. 575, in spite of which Heyne strangely understands it ἀντὶ πύργων, “tanquam binae turres,” after an alternative interpretation proposed by Serv.
[678] Cristis corusci may be intended as a translation of κορυθαίολος. Med. has ‘coruscant.’
[679] An expansion of the comParison of v. 674 into a formal simile. Comp. 3. 679 foll. Serv. has a variant ‘Liquetia,’ the name of a river of Cisalpine Gaul lowing into the Adriatic (also called “Limentia”); and this is found in one of Ribbeck's cursives, and in two others, including Gud., from a correction. ‘Liquetia’ might possibly have an adj. “Liquetius:” comp. “Lyaeus,” “Lenaeus,” “Sychaeus:” but the transition from the general to the specific, marked by ‘sive—seu,’ is more in Virg.'s manner (Heyne comp. 11. 68 foll.), though Serv. actually makes it a ground of objection to the common reading. For ‘liquentia’ see on 1. 432. “Liquuntur rupibus amnes” G. 2. 187.
[680] For similes with geographical specifications comp. 7. 674 foll., 699 foll. ‘Athesim’ Dict. Geogr. “Fontem propter amoenum” Lucr. 4.1024.
[681] “Caelo capita alta ferentis” 3. 678.
[684] Ribbeck removes the period after ‘patentis,’ joining ‘continuo—totis’ with ‘inrumpunt,’ and reading in v. 686 ‘at versi.’ But the common reading perhaps better expresses the instantaneous repulse of the Rutulians. The two names here have an Italian look, while those in the next line more resemble what we should expect to see on the side of the Trojans; but all are evidently Rutulian. ‘Pulcher armis’ i. q. “pulchris armis:” comp. “gravis ictu” 5. 274.
[685] Praeceps animi like “fidens animi” 2. 61, “infelix animi” 4. 529 note.
[686] The MSS. vary between ‘aut versi’ and ‘aversi,’ the latter being the original reading of Pal. This gives some colour to Ribbeck's alteration, but does not actually support it.
[687] Posuere vitam like “animas ponunt” G. 4. 238. Rom. has ‘ipsi.’
[688] ‘Animis discordibus’ seems i. q. “animis pugnantium:” comp. 10. 356, “discordes venti Proelia ceu tollunt.”
[689] Glomerantur eodem, mass themselves on the same spot. Rom. has ‘in unum.’ ‘Eodem’ seems to be explained by ‘glomerantur,’ not, as Pier. gives it, “ad eandem portam quam Pandarus et Bitias recluserant.”
[690] Conferre manum: comp. v. 44 above. ‘Procurrere longius,’ to advance beyond the gates.
[691-716] ‘Turnus rushes to the scene and kills Bitias.’
