Aeneid Terms

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Aeneas

Trojan Prince and the heroic protagonist of the Aeneid. He’s the central character of the poem as his journey establishes the divine origins of Rome and embodies the Roman ideal of pietas (piety towards rome, family, and god.)

Vergil

The Roman poet who composed the Aeneid. Him being the author shapes the poem’s political purpose, connecting Aeneas’ destiny to Augustus and his rule.

Aition

Means an origin story explaining the beginning of a custom, place or ritual. Aeneid is one as it is the origin story to roman tradition and national identity.

Telos

Refers to the end/goal. In the Aeneid, it’s the divine destiny of Rome with Augustus' rule following Aeneas’ journey.

Maecenas

Powerful advisor to Augustus and a patron of the arts. His influence matters because the Aeneid was written in a political atmosphere shaped by his cultural patronage.

Alba Longa

City in Latium founded by Iulus, son of Aeneas. Important because it becomes the birthplace of Romulus and Remus, bridging Aeneas’ story to Rome’s founding myth.

Lavinium

The city Aeneas founds in Italy and names after Lavinia, his wife. It represents the first step in Rome’s mythic lineage and fulfills part of Aeneas’ divinely mandated destiny.

Etruscans

Inhabitants of Etruria, north of Rome. They have an alliance with Aeneas that strengthens his military power and symbolizes the merging of Italian peoples into future Rome.

Julius Caesar

A roman general, dictator, and key figure in Rome’s transformation into an empire. The Aeneid links his heritage to Aeneas, reinforcing Augustan propaganda about divine ancestry.

Pompey

Roman general and rival to Julius Caesar during the civil wars. His role matters indirectly because the chaos of the civil wars forms the historical backdrop motivating Augustus’ desire for a unifying national epic.

Marc Anthony

Roman politician and military leader who opposed Octavian/Augustus in the final civil war. His conflict with Augustus shapes the ideological message of the Aeneid, especially in Book 8’s shield imagery, where Vergil rewrites contemporary events into mythic prophecy to legitimize Augustus’ rise to power.

Augustus

Originally called Octavian, first Roman Emperor. Patron of Vergil. Aeneid portrays him as the ultimate fulfillment of Aeneas’ destiny, legitimizing his regime.

Plebians

The common citizen of Rome. They were the backbone of Roman society, taking roles as soldiers, farmers, and artisans who lacked power initially compared to the elite patricians.

Latium

The region of central Italy where Aeneas arrives and later settles. It is the setting of the poem’s second half and the homeland that would become Rome.

Campania

Region in southern Italy known for Greek Settlements. Aeneas travels through areas near here, linking Roman myth to overall Mediterranean culture.

Cumae

The earliest Greek colony in Italy, north of the Bay of Naples, where Aeneas descended to the underworld.

Clementia

Means mercy or leniency shown by those in power. It’s significance is highlighted when Aeneas struggles between mercy and vengeance, foreshadowing Roman imperial ideals under Augustus.

Imperium

Refers to supreme authority or command in Rome. The gods promise Aeneas it over the future Roman people, making it a central theme of divine destiny

Pietas

Means duty to gods, family and country. Aeneas exemplifies it throughout the poem making it the defining Roman virtue.

Fasces

Bundle of rods enclosing an axe. The symbol of Imperium as perpetuated in the Aeneid to connect Aeneas’ mission to Rome’s political institutions.

Livius Andronicus

Earliest Latin Poet, wrote Latin versions of the Odyssey in a meter called Saturnian. Was the first to translate greek epics into latin. Laid the foundation for the Aeneid to be created.

Ennius

A roman poet known for the Annales, an early national epic. Vergil builds on and surpasses his legacy, making the Aeneid the new official Roman Epic.

Numina

Divine spirits or powers present in natural objects or places. Aeneas frequently interacts with these divine forces showing Rome’s deep religious connection to the land.

Penates

Household gods protecting the family and home. Aeneas carries this from Troy, symbolizing continuity between the old world and Rome’s future.

Genius

Male creative power in Roman religion. A personal or household spirit guiding fate. Reinforces the spiritual dimension of Aeneas’ mission and Rome’s destiny.

Nisus

Son of Hyrtacus, older one in the buddy-pair of Nisus and Euryalaus. Known for his loyalty to his friend as he attempted to save him from  death at the hands of the Latins, before being killed alongside his friend. Highlights themes of friendship and heroism.

Euryalus

Trojan fighter, younger buddy-pair with Nisus, killed in a night raid against the Rutulians along with his friend. Highlights themes of friendship and heroism.

Juno

Queen of the Gods and Aeneas’ primary divine antagonist. Her hostility creates the central conflict driving the hardships of Aeneas’ journey.

Anchises

Prince of Troy, lover of Venus/Aphrodite, father of Aeneas/ his spiritual guide. His prophesy in the Underworld gives Aeneas and Rome its future vision.

Venus

Roman Goddess of love, equivalent to greek aphrodite. Mother of Aeneas. Protects her son and symbolizes Rome’s descent from the Gods.

Dido

“Virgin”, phoenician queen of Carthage who loved Aeneas and committed suicide when abandoned. Her death foreshadows the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage.

Sibyl

A prophetess at Cumae who guides Aeneas to the underworld. She reveals destiny and validates Aeneas’ mission via divine instruction.

Turnus

The Rutulian prince and Aeneas’ main opp. His conflict with Aeneas represents the struggle for control over Latium

Evander

Arcadian king who allies himself with Aeneas. His hospitality and support helps Aeneas build alliances necessary for founding Rome.

Allecto

A fury sent by Juno to incite war in Latium. She symbolizes the destructive forces opposing Rome’s divine destiny.

Camilla

Italian warrior maiden allied with Aeneas. Represents themes of valor and complexity of Italy’s resistance to Aeneas.

Pallas

Young son of Evander entrusted to Aeneas. His death motivates Aeneas’ final rage against Turnus, his killer.

Latinus

Early king in Latium who offers his daughter Lavina to Aeneas. A decision that sets off the conflict that leads to the foundation of Rome’s lineage.

Mezentius

Brutal Etruscan exiled leader and enemy of Aeneas. Death symbolizes the defeat of barbaric cruelty as Rome rises.

Lausus

Son of Mezentius, killed by Aeneas. His tragic death contrasts heroic youth with the brutality of war.

Punic Wars

War between Carthage and Rome in the 3rd and 2nd centuries. Aeneid forshadows them via Dido’s curse, linking mythic and real roman events.

Vulcan

Italian fire/metalworking god=Greek Hephaestus. Forges Aeneas’ divine armor in Book 8, reinforcing Aeneas’ heroic and destined role.

Ascanius

Another name for Iulus, son of Aeneas. Founds Alba Longa and represents the continuation of Aeneas’ line and the ancestral link to Julius Caesar and Augustus.