Camilla, Warrior Woman in Battle! Vergil, Aeneid , 11.648 - 663

Name:  Vergil [Publius Vergilius Maro] Date:  70 – 21 BCE Region:  Mantua [modern northern Italy] Citation:  Aeneid 11.648 – 663

The Amazon Camilla was reveling in the midst of battle With half her chest bare and a quiver on her back. First, she’s rapid-firing spears by hand Next, she’s deftly wielding her battle-ax With boundless energy. Her golden bow, the weapon of Diana, Twanged from her shoulder. And now, attacked from behind, Even while in retreat, Camilla kept firing her arrows. Surrounded by her elite companions, The maiden Larina, Tulla, and bronze-ax wielding Tarpeia, Italian-born women whom divine Camilla Chose for herself to be her honor-guard, Were excellent companions in peace and war. These women fought the way that Amazons Wearing their multi-color armor On the banks of the Thermodon River fought Battling alongside Hippolyte Or accompanying Penthesilea’s chariot As she returned from battle; With a great war-cry They reveled, an army of women Lifting their half-moon shaped shields.

At medias inter caedes exsultat Amazon unum exserta latus pugnae, pharetrata Camilla, et nunc lenta manu spargens hastilia denset, nunc validam dextra rapit indefessa bipennem; aureus ex umero sonat arcus et arma Dianae. illa etiam, si quando in tergum pulsa recessit, spicula converso fugientia derigit arcu. at circum lectae comites, Larinaque virgo     Tullaque et aeratam quatiens Tarpeia securim, Italides, quas ipsa decus sibi dia Camilla delegit pacisque bonas bellique ministras: quales Threiciae cum flumina Thermodontis pulsant et pictis bellantur Amazones armis,  seu circum Hippolyten seu cum se Martia curru Penthesilea refert, magnoque ululante tumultu feminea exsultant lunatis agmina peltis.

 

VERGIL / VIRGIL	MAP:
Name:  Publius Vergilius Maro Date:  70 BCE – 21 BCE Works:  Aeneid*               Eclogues              Georgics	REGION  1
BIO:	Timeline:
Vergil was born in Mantua (Cisalpine Gaul, located in northern Italy) and lived during the tumultuous transition of Roman government from republic to monarchy. His masterpiece, the Aeneid, tells the story of Aeneas’ migration from Troy to Italy; it was used for centuries as the pinnacle of Roman literature.	GOLDEN AGE ROME