Abstract
This article proposes that Vergil uses ingens to convey uniqueness, mystery, tension, an aweinspiring quality, or the notion of death. It includes a survey of the word's etymology and its multivalent potential, a detailed look at the adjective in various contexts, and suggestions of how it may best be understood. Etymologically evoking the cycle of growth and death, ingens conveys the importance of an individual character or moment, recognizes heroism, enhances a sense of loss or grief, infers otherworldliness, and suggests a new emergence into being.