In 19 B.C., the renowned Roman poet Virgil embarked on a journey from Greece to Rome alongside Emperor Augustus. During this trip, Virgil took a detour to explore Megara, a town in Greece. Unfortunately, he spent too much time in the sun, suffered from heatstroke, and passed away on his return to Italy. On his deathbed, Virgil was deeply concerned about the epic poem he had been crafting for over a decade, titled the “Aeneid.” Dissatisfied with its final version, he requested his friends to destroy it, but they refused. Shortly after his death, Augustus ordered the poem to be published.
Augustus was keen on preserving Virgil’s work because Roman literature lacked a tradition of serious writing. Virgil aspired to create a masterpiece that could stand alongside the “Iliad” and “Odyssey” of Ancient Greece. The “Aeneid,” a poem consisting of 9,896 lines, is divided into twelve books. The first six books mirror the structure of the “Odyssey,” while the latter six echo the “Iliad.” Like these Greek epics, the “Aeneid” is composed in dactylic hexameter, where each line is made up of six feet, consisting of dactyls (long, short, short) and spondees (long, long). The famous opening line in Latin, “Arma Virumque Cano,” translates to “I sing of arms and the man,” referring to battles and the hero Aeneas.
To fully grasp the “Aeneid,” it’s crucial to understand the turbulent political landscape of Rome in the latter half of the 1st century B.C. In 49 B.C., Julius Caesar, Augustus’s great uncle, initiated nearly two decades of civil war by leading his army against the Roman Republic. After establishing a dictatorship, Caesar was assassinated. Peace was restored in Rome only after Augustus defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra in 31 B.C., paving the way for Augustus to become emperor.
Virgil sought to capture the essence of a new era and the sacrifices endured by the Romans. He aimed to provide them with a renewed understanding of their origins, history, and potential. By linking the founding of Rome to familiar mythological tales, Virgil connected his hero Aeneas to Augustus. In the epic, Aeneas embarks on a quest to establish a new homeland for his people, facing numerous challenges. He narrowly escapes destruction in the ruins of Troy, experiences love with Queen Dido of Carthage, and journeys through the underworld. Ultimately, he must fight to secure a homeland near the future site of Rome.
Virgil portrays Aeneas as a model for Augustus, which likely fueled Augustus’s desire to preserve the poem. However, Virgil went further; in some parts, Aeneas has visions of Rome’s future and Augustus himself. Virgil depicts Augustus as a triumphant victor entering Rome and expanding the Roman Empire. Notably, Augustus is recognized as the third Roman leader in 700 years to close the doors of the Temple of Janus, symbolizing lasting peace.
Interestingly, Virgil only read Augustus three selected extracts from the story, which was Augustus’s entire exposure to it. Some sections of the poem could be seen as critical or subtly subversive regarding the emperor’s achievements. Aeneas, as a model for Augustus, struggles with his duty and often appears as a reluctant hero, not always embodying the ideal qualities of a Roman leader. He wrestles with balancing mercy and justice. By the end, readers are left pondering the future of Rome and Augustus’s new government. In wanting the story published, Augustus may have been misled by his own desire for self-promotion. Consequently, Virgil’s story has endured, sparking ongoing discussions about the nature of power and authority.
Break into small groups and analyze the structure of the “Aeneid” by comparing it to the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey.” Identify the similarities and differences in themes, characters, and narrative techniques. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how Virgil’s work stands as a bridge between Greek and Roman epic traditions.
Research the political and historical context of Rome during the 1st century B.C. Create a timeline of key events leading up to and following the publication of the “Aeneid.” Discuss how these events might have influenced Virgil’s writing and the themes within the poem. Share your timeline with your peers and discuss its implications on the interpretation of the “Aeneid.”
Conduct a character study comparing Aeneas and Augustus. Examine how Virgil uses Aeneas to reflect Augustus’s qualities and leadership style. Consider both the positive and critical portrayals. Write a short essay or create a presentation that discusses how this reflection serves as both a tribute and a critique of Augustus’s rule.
Imagine you are a modern-day Virgil tasked with reimagining Aeneas’s journey in today’s world. Write a short story or script that places Aeneas in contemporary settings, facing modern challenges. Consider how his character might evolve and what lessons he could impart to today’s society. Share your creative work with the class and discuss the timeless nature of Aeneas’s journey.
Engage in a debate about whether the “Aeneid” serves as a subtle critique of Augustus’s power. Divide into two groups, with one arguing that Virgil’s work is a celebration of Augustus’s achievements and the other asserting that it contains subversive elements. Use evidence from the text to support your arguments. Conclude with a class discussion on the complexities of interpreting historical texts.
In 19 B.C., the Roman poet Virgil was traveling from Greece to Rome with the emperor Augustus. On the way, he stopped to go sightseeing in Megara, a town in Greece. After spending too much time in the sun, he suffered heatstroke and died on his journey back to Italy. On his deathbed, Virgil reflected on the manuscript he had been working on for over ten years, an epic poem titled the “Aeneid.” Unsatisfied with the final edit, he asked his friends to burn it, but they refused. Soon after Virgil’s death, Augustus ordered it to be published.
Augustus was interested in preserving Virgil’s poem because the Romans had little tradition of writing serious literature, and Virgil aimed to create a work to rival the “Iliad” and “Odyssey” of Ancient Greece. The “Aeneid,” a 9,896-line poem, spans twelve sections, or books, with the first six mirroring the structure of the “Odyssey” and the last six echoing the “Iliad.” Like the Greek epics, the “Aeneid” is written entirely in dactylic hexameter, where each line consists of six syllable groups called feet, made up of dactyls (long, short, short) and spondees (long, long). The famous opening line in the original Latin begins, “Arma Virumque Cano,” which translates to “I sing of arms and the man,” referring to battles and the hero Aeneas.
To understand the “Aeneid,” it’s essential to examine the unsettled nature of Roman politics in the second half of the 1st century B.C. In 49 B.C., Julius Caesar, Augustus’s great uncle, triggered nearly 20 years of civil war by leading his army against the Roman Republic. After establishing a dictatorship, he was assassinated. Peace returned to Rome only after Augustus’s victory over Marc Antony and Cleopatra in 31 B.C., leading to Augustus becoming the emperor.
Virgil aimed to capture the sense of a new era and the sacrifices that the Romans had endured. He wanted to provide the Romans with a renewed understanding of their origins, past, and potential. By connecting the founding of Rome to the mythological stories familiar to his audience, Virgil linked his hero Aeneas to Augustus. In the epic poem, Aeneas embarks on a quest to establish a new home for his people, facing numerous obstacles along the way. He risks destruction in the ruins of Troy, grapples with love when he meets the beautiful Queen of Carthage, Dido, and experiences a journey through the underworld. Ultimately, he must fight to secure a homeland for his people around the future site of Rome.
Virgil presents Aeneas as a model for Augustus, which likely contributed to Augustus’s eagerness to preserve the poem. However, Virgil did not stop there; in some sections, Aeneas has visions of Rome’s future and Augustus himself. Virgil depicts Augustus as a victor entering Rome in triumph and shows him expanding the Roman Empire. Notably, he is recognized as the third Roman leader in 700 years to close the doors of the Temple of Janus, symbolizing the arrival of lasting peace.
However, there is a twist. Virgil only read Augustus three selected extracts of the story, which constituted Augustus’s entire exposure to it. Some other sections could be interpreted as critical or subtly subversive regarding the emperor’s achievements. Aeneas, as a model for Augustus, struggles with his duty and often appears as a reluctant hero, not always embodying the expected qualities of a good Roman leader. He grapples with the balance between mercy and justice. By the end, readers are left questioning the future of Rome and the new government of Augustus. In wanting the story published, Augustus may have been misled by his own desire for self-promotion. As a result, Virgil’s story has endured, prompting ongoing inquiries into the nature of power and authority.
Virgil – A Roman poet known for his epic works, particularly the Aeneid, which has had a profound influence on Western literature. – Virgil’s portrayal of Aeneas in the Aeneid has been studied for its exploration of duty and destiny.
Aeneid – An epic poem written by Virgil that tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan who travels to Italy and becomes the ancestor of the Romans. – The Aeneid is often analyzed for its themes of fate and the founding of Rome.
Augustus – The first Roman emperor, who established the Pax Romana and was a patron of the arts, including Virgil’s work. – Augustus’ reign marked a significant period in Roman history, influencing the cultural and political landscape of the empire.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit, often reflecting cultural and historical contexts. – The study of literature allows us to understand the values and beliefs of different historical periods.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often explored through written records and narratives. – History provides a framework for understanding the development of societies and cultures over time.
Epic – A long narrative poem, often written about a hero or heroic deeds, that reflects the values and culture of the time. – Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid are classic examples of epic poetry that have shaped literary traditions.
Rome – An ancient civilization that became a powerful empire, known for its contributions to law, politics, and culture. – The history of Rome is integral to understanding the development of Western civilization.
Journey – A significant travel or passage, often used metaphorically in literature to describe a character’s development or quest. – In the Aeneid, Aeneas’ journey from Troy to Italy symbolizes the trials and triumphs of establishing a new homeland.
Hero – A character in literature who exhibits noble qualities and undertakes significant challenges, often central to epic narratives. – Aeneas is depicted as a hero in Virgil’s Aeneid, embodying the virtues of duty and perseverance.
Mythology – A collection of myths, especially those belonging to a particular religious or cultural tradition, often explaining natural phenomena or cultural practices. – Roman mythology, as reflected in the Aeneid, intertwines with history to convey the origins and values of Rome.
