Virgil, the Aeneid and the Augustan Context

Publius Vergilius Maro

Roman poet best known for writing the Aeneid.

Virgil's Education

Typical for an elite Roman male: training in rhetoric, philosophy and literature.

Cisalpine Gaul

Virgil's birth region. Only received Roman citizenship from Julius Caesar in 49 BC.

Eclogues

Virgil's first poem (37 BC). Expresses gratitude to Octavian for restoring his family farm.

Georgics

Virgil's second poem. Expresses gratitude to Maecenas for his support.

Maecenas

Advisor to Augustus and patron of "Augustan poets" including Virgil.

Language of the Aeneid

Latin

Metre of the Aeneid

Dactylic hexameter

Hero of the Aeneid

Aeneas

Influence of Homer on Virgil

Imitation of entire scenes, presence of the gods, use of epithets, epic poem divided into books, Iliad half and Odyssey half.

arma virumque cano

Opening lines of the Aeneid meaning 'I sing of arms and the man'. Refers to Virgil's imitation of the Iliad and the Odyssey

Ennius

Latin epic poet who predated Virgil (around 189 BC). Wrote about Roman history and celebrated the Roman state as opposed to one individual.

The Punic Wars

Wars between Carthage and Rome in the 3rd and 2nd century BC

Carthage

A city in north Africa. Ruled an empire that challenged Rome for supremacy in the Mediterranean until its defeat in the Punic Wars

Hannibal

Most famous Carthaginian general of the Punic Wars. Nearly defeated Rome.

Scipiones

Roman generals who fought in the Punic Wars

146 BC

Rome destroys Carthage and ends the Punic Wars

Consequences of the Roman conquest of Greece

Rome became much wealthier and the gap between rich and poor grew.

latifundia

Large estates owned by Roman elites and farmed by many slaves. Meant that ordinary Roman citizens could no longer earn a living and moved to Rome, where they caused unrest.

Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus / "the Gracchi"

Roman politicians who attempted to address poverty among Roman citizens in 1302 and 120s BC. Both murdered.

Catiline

Roman who unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow the government in 63 BC.

The first triumvirate

Pompey, Julius Caesar and Crassus' control of the Roman Republic.

The Republic

Roman democracy. Fell apart in the civil wars of the 40s BC and considered to have ended in 27 BC when Augustus consolidated his power.

Pompey

Julius Caesar's opponent in the civil war.

Who was Augustus' adoptive father?

Julius Caesar

What title did Julius Caesar hold while ruling Rome?

'Dictator'

In what year was Julius Caesar assassinated?

44 BC

Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?

Romans thought he was trying to become a king

Mark Antony

Close ally of Julius Caesar. Expected to be his heir.

Gaius Octavius

Original name of Octavian/Augustus

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus

Name Octavian/Augustus took when he was adopted by Julius Caesar in his will

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus Augustus

Final name of Octavian/Augustus

The second triumvirate

Alliance of Mark Antony, Octavian and Lepidus. Avenged Julius Caesar's assassination and controlled Rome.

Brutus and Cassius

Ringleaders of assassination of Julius Caesar. Killed in at the battle of Philippi in 42 BC.

Cleopatra

Last Pharaoh of Egypt. Partner of Mark Antony.

Battle of Actium

battle between Marcus Antony and Octavian for control of the Roman empire. Octavian won. 31 BC.

Gates of Janus

Symbolic gates of a temple in Rome. Open in times of war and closed in peace. Closed by Octavian in 29 BC.

42 BC

Julius Caesar proclaimed a god. Octavian can call himself 'divi filius' = 'son of a god'

27 BC

Octavian becomes 'Augustus' and gains extraordinary powers allowing him to rule Rome.

Augustus' key policies

Religious reforms including restoration of temples, restriction of divorce and incentivisation of marriage, limiting luxury, bringing peace to Rome after decades of war, improving financial stability by paying off debts, use of authors to write texts in support of these values

'The Golden Age'

Augustus' view of his own reign: a new perfect age of peace and stability for Rome