The spear strike and Arruns's wolf-like flight
Aeneid 11.799–817: read the assigned Latin, work through language and interpretation, then practise with explained responses.
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
- Trace the strike, companions' response and escape
- Explain the wolf simile and Camilla's unsuccessful attempt to remove the weapon
Read this assigned passage
Aeneid 11.799–817. Keep your assigned edition open. These original guides use the underlying ancient text; check differences against the prescribed anthology and your teacher's reading.
Follow the changing focus
In 799–804 the spear's sound makes others look towards Camilla, while she does not attend to the approaching danger before it strikes. Her companions move to support her. Arruns flees first, with pleasure mixed with fear, and no longer trusts himself against her weapons.
In 809–815 the wolf comparison presents a retreat after killing a shepherd or a great bull: the animal hides, lowers its tail and seeks cover. In 816–817 Camilla tries to pull out the weapon, but the iron point remains lodged. Do not turn attempted removal into completed recovery.
Use simile and contrast precisely
The wolf's predation and nervous concealment fit an ambusher who avoids open encounter. The effect is not simply ‘wolves are brave’; identify the particular movements and their counterpart in Arruns's flight.
Compare the observers' attention with Camilla's lack of awareness, and Arruns's mixed emotions with the companions' alarm. These local contrasts show different responses to one event. The description of weapon and wound explains why the following death scene is not an immediate triumphant rescue.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Is the weapon successfully removed by line 817?
Worked example
What makes ‘the wolf simile praises Arruns's fearless courage’ a weak reading?
Show the worked solution
- The wolf retreats and hides.
- Its posture shows fear after predation.
- Arruns similarly escapes rather than faces Camilla.
Answer The chosen actions suggest predatory success followed by frightened concealment. A courage-only reading ignores the simile's movement and Arruns's mixed pleasure and fear.
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: Order strike, support and flight.
Give me a hint
Keep each actor's response separate.
Compare my reasoning
- The spear strikes Camilla.
- Companions move to support her.
- Arruns flees with mixed emotions.
The strike brings support from Camilla's companions and flight from Arruns. Distinguishing those responses prevents treating the attacker as rescuer or the companions as attackers.
Look for these in your work
- Uses strike
- Assigns support
- Assigns flight
Independent: Select two features of the wolf simile relevant to Arruns.
Give me a hint
Use actual actions rather than an animal stereotype.
Compare my reasoning
- The wolf has killed.
- It hides and shows nervous posture.
- Link predation and retreat to the attacker.
Predation followed by hiding and fearful posture parallels Arruns's successful ambush and anxious escape. The argument should use those selected features, not a generic claim that every wolf image conveys courage.
Look for these in your work
- Uses predation
- Uses retreat
- Explains parallel
Application: Correct a response that reads a verb of trying to pull as proof of recovery.
Give me a hint
Find the subsequent result.
Compare my reasoning
- Camilla attempts to pull.
- The iron point remains.
- Use the result to qualify the action.
The attempted pull does not achieve removal. The following lodged-point description controls the outcome, so an account of recovery would contradict the passage's decisive qualification.
Look for these in your work
- Distinguishes attempt
- Uses remaining point
- Corrects outcome
Common mistakes
- Claiming Camilla successfully removes the spear
- Calling flight fearless confrontation
- Ignoring companions and observers
What can you explain now?
Is the weapon successfully removed by line 817?
Compare with the explanation
No
She pulls at it, but the point remains lodged; attempt and outcome differ.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Is the weapon successfully removed by line 817?
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.