Camilla reverses the pursuit
Aeneid 11.690–698: read the assigned Latin, work through language and interpretation, then practise with explained responses.
Section P2-VIRGIL-648-698 · Virgil, Aeneid 11, lines 648–698
Exam scope and assessment notes
Original teaching foundations for the 2026–2028 syllabus. Six prescribed texts have passage-specific sequences; all 693 printed vocabulary rows have been reconciled into 692 distinct records, with additional number, comparison and compound-verb practice. Linked teaching and lexical self-checks do not certify mastery. Complete line-by-line annotation, further translation and scansion practice, qualified Latin-teacher review, full timed papers and human marking remain outstanding. Open the assigned edition alongside these lessons: public ancient texts can differ in spelling, punctuation or editorial readings from the prescribed prose anthology. Practice explanations are formative, not Cambridge questions, marks or predicted grades. Cambridge has announced withdrawal; the last assessment is June 2028, in administrative zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 only. Confirm entry with your centre.
Before you begin
- Read the assigned Latin alongside this guide
- Use case, verb and clause evidence before literary interpretation
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What should distinguish passage evidence from wider context?
What you will learn
- Distinguish the encounters with Butes and Orsilochus
- Read a pursuer becoming pursued and respect the extract's endpoint
Read this assigned passage
Aeneid 11.690–698. Keep your assigned edition open. These original guides use the underlying ancient text; check differences against the prescribed anthology and your teacher's reading.
Trace the two encounters
Butes is struck from behind where his equipment leaves a vulnerable area. Orsilochus's encounter is different: Camilla appears to flee, moves within a broad circle and then follows the person following her. The description combines tactical movement with destructive force.
At the end she strikes Orsilochus while he begs. Do not replace this detail with an invented acceptance of surrender. The named Aunus episode begins after line 698 and is outside this prescribed range, even though it follows in the complete book.
Translate reversal and evaluate power
In sequiturque sequentem, the finite verb supplies the pursuing action and the accusative participle supplies the person pursued. The repeated root makes the reversal compact. Translate the roles, not two disconnected words meaning ‘follow’.
A response can admire tactical skill while criticising lack of mercy. Explain what the movement and plea support, and avoid assuming that the narrator's vividness requires one compulsory moral verdict. Use local evidence before wider comparison.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Is the Aunus encounter part of lines 690–698?
Worked example
Explain the role reversal in ‘sequiturque sequentem’.
Show the worked solution
- Camilla is the continuing subject of the action.
- Sequentem is the person who had been following her.
- The former pursuer becomes her quarry.
Answer Camilla follows the man following her: she turns apparent flight into pursuit. The finite verb and accusative participle identify the two roles, while the shared word root emphasises the reversal.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Guided: Translate the pursuit reversal in plain English.
Give me a hint
Keep subject and participle object separate.
Compare my reasoning
- Find the finite pursuing verb.
- Identify the person described as following.
- Explain the changed direction of advantage.
Camilla pursues the person pursuing her. The phrase turns her apparent withdrawal into control of the encounter, rather than state that both people move without a clear relationship.
Look for these in your work
- Assigns roles
- Translates reversal
- Explains advantage
Independent: What evidence prevents a claim that Orsilochus's plea guarantees mercy?
Give me a hint
Use the action that follows the plea.
Compare my reasoning
- The plea is present.
- The strike still follows.
- Distinguish request from granted outcome.
The plea does not bring a narrated act of mercy; the weapon action continues. A claim of spared surrender would invent an outcome contrary to the local sequence.
Look for these in your work
- Uses plea
- Uses action
- Rejects invented outcome
Application: Compare tactical admiration with a critical response to the encounter.
Give me a hint
Different judgements can share accurate evidence.
Compare my reasoning
- Use the circling manoeuvre for skill.
- Use the unanswered plea for severity.
- Support a balanced or argued judgement.
The manoeuvre supports admiration for control and speed, while the treatment of the pleading opponent supports criticism of severity. A reasoned response can weigh these together without denying either detail.
Look for these in your work
- Uses tactical evidence
- Uses ethical evidence
- Reasons judgement
Common mistakes
- Combining Butes and Orsilochus into one encounter
- Inventing mercy after a plea
- Moving Aunus into the assigned range
What can you explain now?
Is the Aunus encounter part of lines 690–698?
Compare with the explanation
No
Its opening follows the prescribed endpoint at line 698.
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Make it stick
Is the Aunus encounter part of lines 690–698?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.