Trivium
Curriculum/Founding & Kings/THE CLEVER TRICK
Founding & KingsGrade 4grammar Stage

THE CLEVER TRICK

After suffering in Sicily where Anchises died, Aeneas sailed on. Hostile gods sent a terrible storm; friendly gods calmed it. Lost, Aeneas landed in Africa near Carthage with his faithful friend Achates. Venus appeared in disguise and told him about Queen Dido. Dido had fled Asia after her brother murdered her husband. When Africans refused to sell her land, she asked for only as much as an oxhide could enclose. They agreed—then Dido cut the hide into thin strips and enclosed a vast tract. The people could not dispute her claim, and she began building Carthage.

The Text

What You'll Learn

1

Comprehension

Notes Anchises died in Sicily

2

Cause & Consequence

Explains why Dido used a trick: people refused to sell land

3

Significance

Recognizes Dido's cleverness in interpreting the bargain literally

How It Works

Your AI tutor will guide you through this text using the Socratic method. Instead of giving you answers, it asks questions that help you discover the meaning for yourself.

  • 1.Read the text carefully
  • 2.Answer the tutor's questions in your own words
  • 3.Progress through each stage as you demonstrate understanding
Start This Lesson

Free to try. No credit card required.