[205, 206] Patre Benaco . . Mincius (like “Eunaeum Clytio patre” 11. 666) because the Mincius flows out of the lake Benacus (Lago di Garda). The meaning must be that a figure of the river Mincius was at the head of the ship: not, as was at one time supposed, that they were sailing down the Mincius, which would have carried them down the Po into the Adriatic. Rivers were not uncommonly represented in human shape: see the description in Ov. A. A. 1. 222, “hic est Euphrates, praecinctus arundine frontem: Cui coma dependet caerula, Tigris erit:” Pers. 6. 47, “ingentisque locat Caesonia Rhenos” (where see Jahn's note). Comp. Virg.'s description of the river-god Tiberinus 8. 33. ‘Pinu’ E. 4. 38.
This text is part of:
John Conington. P. Vergili Maronis opera. P. Vergili Maronis Opera. The works of. Virgil. , with a Commentary by John Conington, M.A. and Henry Nettleship, M.A. London. Whittaker and Co., Ave Maria Lane;. George Bell and Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1876.
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