... Greek accusative "paeana" perhaps picking up Achilles speech to the Greeks after the death of Hector in Iliad 22.365 a particularly apt epic reference in this instance. Further to this is Vergil's probable adaptation of Homer's sleep of bronze (Iliad 11.241). Connington also points out the similarity between lines 734-735 and ... 16. 862-863 where the failing Patroclus has been addressing Hector; the question is why does Vergil choose to use so many Homeric references in this passage, apart from firmly establishing the epic nature of this scene the answer appears unclear. Perhaps it is ...

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