Leaving Cert 1999 Unseen Translations (130 marks)

When Hannibal had captured Saguntum. he seemed (was seen) to be called into a meeting of the Gods by Jupiter; when he had come there, Jupiter ordered him to carry the war to Italy; one guide (leader) from the council was given to him and using him he began to go forward with his army; then the guide (leader) ordered him not to look back; he however was not able to do this any longer and carried away by desire he looked back; then a vast and huge beast was seen enveloped with serpents and wherever he went he uprooted (pervertit) all the trees and shrubs and houses. End Hannibal amazed asked the god what was that great monster and the god responded that it was the destruction of Italy; the God ordered him to advance straightaway and not to worry about what was happening behind. (a tergo = from the back/rear)

Dawn meanwhile had brought out the kind light for the miserable mortals, bringing back the works and the toils. Now/already father Aeneas, and now Tarchon had built funeral pyres on the curved shore. Here (to here) each one brought the bodies in the manner of their fathers and having placed black fire underneath the high sky is hidden into darkness and gloom. Three times round the burning pyres they run wearing their shining arms, three times they circle the sad fire of the funeral on their horses and they give out lamentations from their mouths. The land is sprinkled with their tears, and their arms also are sprinkled, and shouting of the men and the sound of the trumpets go up to the sky. The Alexandrians when they saw that they were victorious not by the courage of their combat troops but by the skill of their sailors, they were broken so much by that loss that they were scarcely able to resist. Afterwards Ganymedes confirmed in the council that he himself would restore the ships which had been lost and he would increase their number. The Alexandrians set about with great hope and trust to rebuild their old ships. But even if (ac tametsi) they had lost more than 150 long ships in the port and navales they put aside the thought that the fleet could not be repaired. For they saw (ACC + INF) that if they were not able to bring reinforcements (auxilia) to Caesar nor provisions (commeatus –us) if they themselves were not superior in their fleet. Moreover .sailing men of a city and maritime region having been aroused by daily use from boyhood, wanted to go back to their natural talents, therefore they applied themselves with all zeal to preparing the fleet.