Diagram of The Aeneid - Aeneas' Shield Diagram | Quizlet

Book 8

In which book of the Aeneid does this shield appear?

Vulcan (and his cyclopes)

Who makes the shield for Aeneas?

Mount Etna

Where is the shield made?

Mars and Athena

The items of which two gods are put on-hold whilst Vulcan and the cyclopes make the shield, signifying its importance?

Venus

Who originally convinces Vulcan to make the shield?

Important moments from Roman history

In a broad sense, what is depicted on Aeneas' shield?

The Battle of Actium and Augustus' triple-triumph

Which images, placed dead-center of Aeneas' shield, are thus implied to be the most important moment in all of Roman history?

TERM

Romulus and Remus

DEFINITION

First image on the shield, depicting the twins being suckled by a she-wolf. The wolf itself is a powerful symbol of Augustan virtus

TERM

Rape of the Sabine Women

DEFINITION

Second image depicted on the shield, and exemplifies Roman pietas (as they will risk war just to protect the population of Rome). The women also show pietas by stopping conflict breaking out.

TERM

Death of Mettus

DEFINITION

Third image on the shield, which exemplifies how people who disobey Rome are brutally killed (morality story on the importance of pietas!). Could be interpreted as Augustan propaganda promoting loyalty to the state

TERM

Tarquin and Porsenna

DEFINITION

Fourth image depicted on the shield, showing both the Romans "warring down the proud", as well as the bravery of individual Romans (i.e. Horatius Cocles), and thus the importance of virtus

TERM

Gauls invading Rome

DEFINITION

Fifth image depicted on the shield, showing both the individual skill of the Romans, as well as how Juno eventually grows to love and protect the Romans (i.e. the sacred geese)

TERM

Tartarus

DEFINITION

Sixth image on the shield, depicting Catiline in Tartarus (showing how insubordination against the state is one of the highest crimes) and Cato - in what is implied to be the Elysian Fields (showing fairness and political balance on the part of Augustus)

TERM

Octavian and Agrippa at Actium

DEFINITION

Seventh image on the shield, which features a deliberate inaccuracy - Octavian is presented as leading the Roman fleet, whereas it was actually Agrippa (again highlighting the importance and divinely sanctioned status of Augustus)

TERM

Antony and Cleopatra

DEFINITION

Eighth image on the shield, which illustrates Roman stereotypes and Augustan values (as Antony is 'corrupted' by the Eastern queen Cleopatra, and are both full of furor, and no virtus, as they flee Augustus at the battle of Actium)

TERM

Actium

DEFINITION

Ninth and central image on the shield, which depicts Augustus' victory at the battle and the gloria he earns for the state (emphasising Augustus' pietas, and again adding to the idea of the shield being anti-Augustan propaganda)

TERM

Augustus' triple triumph

DEFINITION

THE MOST central image on the shield, signifying Augustus' importance, as well as implying his ascension to power is the most important moment throughout the whole of Roman history (adding to the idea that the shield is Augustan propaganda)

Marshal

Which scholar says that the absence of Romulus' fratricide of Remus (despite the fact that the twins are both depicted as children), implies the fratricide to a Roman audience and, as such, is subtle Augustan propaganda?

European School of Thought

Which school of thought says that the shield of Aeneas contributes to the interpretation of the Aeneid as wholly Augustan propaganda?

Harvard School of Thought

Which school of thought says that the shield of Aeneas contributes to the interpretation of the Aeneid as a subtle piece of anti-Augustan propaganda?