[168] Haec probably with ‘super,’ though ‘super’ might be adverbial. Pliny Ep. 4. 22 has “super cenam,” and Forc. gives other instances, though here he takes ‘super’ as adv. ‘Et tenent’ virtually = “dum tenent:” comp. note on 2. 692. Wakef. needlessly conj. ‘ut.’
[170] Pontis et propugnacula iungunt is taken by Heyne of connecting towers, like that mentioned v. 530 below, with the rampart by bridges. Hirt. (?) B. G. 8. 9, however (pointed out to me by Mr. Long), speaks of the bridges (planks, protected at the sides with hurdles) as connecting the towers with each other.
[171] Tela gerunt is taken by Heyne of carrying weapons to a particular place; but it seems better to give it its ordinary sense of wielding weapons, in spite of the flatness of the clause so interpreted. Perhaps it = “tela gerentes:” see above v. 168. Pal., Gud., and two other of Ribbeck's cursives have ‘instat.’
[172] Wagn. rightly remarks that ‘vocare’ is used elsewhere of imminent emergencies, as in 11. 476.
[173] Rectores iuvenum is explained by ‘rerum magistros:’ they were left in command. Another reading, ‘iuveni,’ is found in Donatus and mentioned by Serv.; but Heyne observes that Ascanius is not elsewhere called “iuvenis” but “puer.” ‘Dedit’ sc. “militibus.” The construction is the same as in 5. 571, “quem candida Dido Esse sui dederat monumentum et pignus amoris.”
[174] Legio of an entire force 8. 605. Rom. has ‘est’ between ‘legio’ and ‘sortita.’ ‘Sortita periclum:’ they chose different posts of danger, not, like the enemy, alternating between service and recreation.
[175] Quod cuique tuendum est is epexegetical of ‘vices.’ It would seem from v. 221 that the watch was relieved, so that ‘vices’ is to be taken strictly.
[176-223] ‘Nisus forms a resolution to go to Pallanteum and summon Aeneas. Euryalus insists on accompanying him.’
