JUPITER IN THEBAID 1 AGAIN 131
for primaeque, though here the word order makes this case slightly
more difficult.
mediis sese arduus infert ipse deis (1.201–2 “he himself on high
takes himself among the gods”): arduus, the placing of ipse at the be-
ginning of its line and the framing mediis ... deis all conspire to sug-
gest the might and dignity of Jupiter, softened by the benign but tradi-
tional picture suggested by placido quatiens tamen omnia uultu (1.202
“but shaking everything though with a calm face”; cf. e.g. Neptune at
Virgil A. 1.142: tumida aequora placat “calms the raging seas”). Maj-
esty is reasserted by stellantique locat solio (1.203 “he places himself
on the starry throne”), with se “himself” understood from 1.201.
nec protinus ausi caelicolae ueniam donec pater ipse sedendi
tranquilla iubet esse manu (1.203–5 “nor immediately did the heaven-
dwellers dare, until the father himself with a calm hand bade them,
sit”). For a moment, our attention is drawn from the magnificence of
Jupiter to the other gods who dare not, until we turn back to Jupiter
and watch him, with a calm gesture, give them permission to sit. nec
protinus ausi: dare not what? Dare not sit, which we must infer from
sedendi. But the effect of this way of arranging the detail is to rein-
force still further the calm authority of Jupiter and the respect he is
given by the other gods.
mox turba uagorum
semideum et summis cognati Nubibus Amnes
et compressa metu seruantes murmura Venti
aurea tecta replent.
(1.205–8)
Soon a crowd of wandering demi-gods and Rivers related to the high-
est Clouds and Winds, keeping from fear their murmurings repressed,
filled the golden house.Roman gods, like Roman aristocrats, like to be greeted by great
crowds of humble and obedient supporters.
Note the humour of compressa metu seruantes murmura Venti, a
humour that cannot be appreciated until the last word, Venti. But this
in no way diminishes Jupiter’s grandeur. It is also worth remarking
that Amnes and Venti are to have a significant role to play before book
1 is over.
mixta conuexa deorum maiestate tremunt, radiant maiore sereno
culmina et arcano florentes lumine postes (1.208–10 “The dome
trembles with the mingled majesty of the gods, the roofs shine in a