[154] “Velati ramis oleae” 11. 101. The expression seems parallel to ἱκτηρίοις κλάδοισιν ἐξεστεμμένοι Soph. O. T. 3, which is now generally understood as = κλάδους ἐξεστεμμένους ἔχοντες. The token of peace was an olive-branch borne in the hand, 8. 116, 128., 11. 333, sometimes wreathed with wool (8. 128). To this wreathing ἐξεστεμμένοι is generally understood to refer: and the same may be the case with ‘velatos.’ “Velamenta” is the regular term for tokens of supplication, Livy 24. 30., 29. 16., 30. 36., 35. 34, cited by Lersch § 52, and Plaut. Amph. 1. 1. 101 has “velatis manibus orant.” But the “velatio” may be merely the covering afforded by the leaves of the boughs: an interpretation which would agree with some words in Livy 30. 36, “velata infulis ramisque oleae Carthaginiensium occurrit navis,” and with the use of “velare” in Virg. (note on 2. 249). There is a sort of parallel ambiguity in the Greek use of στέφος &c.: see Conington on Aesch. Cho. 95. ‘Rami Palladis,’ G. 2. 181.
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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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