The Aeneid-Book II"Donum Topos"

Aeneid Book II
‘Donum” Topos

Whenever Vergil uses the word donum, he is either referring to the wooden horse given to the Trojans by the gifts or in reference to the gods. In the first example, Vergil uses donum to mean the gift of Minerva (the Trojan horse). In the second example dona is the Greek gifts (the Trojan horse). In the third example, Vergil writes dona to mean the Greek gifts (the Trojan Horse). The fourth time, dona means the gifts of the Greeks also implying the Trojan horse. In the fifth example, dona is the gifts of Minerva, the Trojan horse. In the sixth and final example of ‘donum’, Vergil uses gift to refer to the first sleep that falls on the weary troops a gift of the gods. The references to the Trojan horse as a gift makes the Greeks look more deceitful because it seems they are bringing presents for thee Trojans when in fact, they bring the downfall ...