backround of the aeneid

when was virgil born?

70 BC

when was the aeneid written?

30-19 BC

(1st century BC)

what was significant about 1st century BC?

it saw the fall of the roman republic and the rise of the roman empire under the rule of emperor Augustus

what caused the reform of the roman empire?

the result of civil wars (the bellum sociale) and power struggles, augustus put an end to military unrest

explain the roman kingdom

the last king (tarquin) was overthrown by the revolution of roman aristocrats who wanted to establish the new republic

explain order of the roman republic

Consul

Tribune

Senate

dictator

-two different social classes (patricians and plebians)

what was the roman republic

a democratic system which elected magistrates who conduct court system

when did augustus come to power

27 BC

when was the roman empire

27 BCE - 476 CE

why did virgil write the aeneid?

to show that Rome's past was as heroic as Greece

-to give rome a national epic

- to establish faith in roman values

-to legitimize augustus' rule as emperor

-to unify romans and italians and provide a shared heritage

what was happening to rome during the creation of the aeneid?

rome was suffering from moral decay and their faith in the greatness of rome was faultering -> augustus wished to return to ancient values and intented to institute a new era of prosperity and tradition

why was the aeneid written praising augustus?

wanted to legitimize augustus' reign so that...

-his work would be more widely accepted

- to establish augustus as a true roman hero (similar to aeneas, a figure of divine heritage and morality)

- to reinforce the idea that augustus' reign was divinely sanctioned and a part of a larger narrative driven by fate and duty

what does the aeneid teach romans?

promotes stablility and unity within the the empire and ease romans into this new method of control ( augustian rule )

- serves as a response to romes turbulent history and celebrates ancient traditions and values

- gives a collective identity to the founding of rome and the fall of troy -> shared narrative, celebration of culture

-shows values which are destiny for rome's greatness

how does virgil critisize augustus' leadership (subtly)

gives aeneas (who represents augustus) complex human characteristics where he often makes morally questionable decisions and actions and demonstrates criticisable traits such as furor

form of the aeneid

epic poem - mythological and political tale

celebrates the origins of rome while exploring themes of fate, duty and human struggle

characteristics of epic poetry

- the hero is of great importance to the legends, often super-human and has divine ancestry) to reflect the ultimate ideal of the culture (sets an example)

- the setting is vast, covering a large area and involving the fate of many people

- supernatural forces (angels, demons, gods, etc..) are interested in the action and may intervene

-elavated language ; characters speak in long speeches

- draws links between the past and the present

-begins in media res (audience engagement and flashbacks)

- invocation of the musec

how is the form of epic poetry different to homer's the odessey?

both wrote in dactylic hexametre- intergrates greek traditions to homage homer, but adapts them to surpass him and integrate roman values

- focuses on collective destiny rather than individual heroism

-written 600 (ish) years after the odyssey - reflects ancient greek traditions but alter them to surpass them and present rome as altogether greater

themes of the aeneid

fate

duty (pietas)

human struggle

interference of the gods

violence and sufferring

augustian propaganda

establishment of rome (cities)

culture and history

theme of pietas:

aeneas is described as being the most pious man -> showing the importance of it and how it's the most important trait for a roman to have

- emphasises the sacrafices needed for national and personal greatness

- aeneas constantly sacrafices his personal desires for his allegiance to the gods, his family and commitment to his destiny of founding rome

theme of fate:

governs the entire events of the aeneid - shows it is an impenetrable force, has had a predominant role in history and it is futile to try and disobey it

theme of establishing rome:

patriotism - presents rome as being destined and governed by divine, supernatural forces

encouraged citizens to feel pride towards the history of their country and the rulers in charge of it

encourages the belief that sacrifices are needed for the betterment of rome

divine influence

highlights tension between divine will and individual agency -> futility of the gods trying to decieve fate

meddling in the lives of mortals -> using them as chess pieces to carry out their own power struggles

violence and suffering

the bravery and glory that war brings about to soldiers, but also discusses the selfish and unnecessary reasons it can be brought about (often fought as a result of emotions and grudges instead of tactical manoeuvres to gain land or promote justice) , which leads to unnecessary suffering and hardships

however, it is also presented as a required force which, once undertaken, will lead to everlasting peace and resolution