Lecture on Virgil's Aeneid

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to Virgil's Aeneid, its characters, themes, and cultural significance.

Aeneid

An epic poem by Virgil that narrates the mythological story of the founding of Rome.

Virgil

Publius Virgilius Maro, known as the best poet of the Roman era, author of the Aeneid.

Pietas

Aeneas's dedication to the gods and his duty; it signifies a devotion that is stronger than mere piety.

Dactylic Hexameter

The meter used in the original Latin text of the Aeneid, characterized by a specific rhythmic structure.

Juno

The queen of the gods, wife of Jupiter, who harbors a deep hatred for the Trojans and seeks to thwart Aeneas's destiny.

Aeneas

The main character of the Aeneid, a Trojan prince destined to found Rome.

Dido

The queen of Carthage, who is both capable and beautiful, and has her own tragic backstory.

Trojan War

A significant conflict in Greek mythology that led to the fall of Troy and is a backdrop for Aeneas's journey.

Octavian

The first Roman emperor, also known as Augustus, who established the Roman Empire after the Republic.

Thematic Journey

The Aeneid explores Aeneas's journey as both a physical voyage and a metaphorical quest to found a new cultural identity.

Fate vs Free Will

A central theme in the Aeneid, illustrating the tension between Aeneas's destiny and the conflicts instigated by gods.

Troy

The city that Aeneas escapes from after its fall to the Greeks, marking the beginning of his journey.

Carthage

The city where Aeneas and his companions land and where Queen Dido resides.

The Muses

Divine inspirations invoked by Virgil at the beginning of the Aeneid to guide his storytelling.

Allegory

A literary device used in the Aeneid to represent deeper meanings, often about Roman identity and ideals.

Venus

The goddess of love, mother of Aeneas, who plays a significant role in guiding and protecting her son.

Emperor

The title used to denote the ruler of the Roman Empire, beginning with Augustus (Octavian).

Cultural Legacy

The continuing influence of the Aeneid on Western literature and the understanding of Roman culture.

Rhetorical Style

Particular style used in the Aeneid, characterized by elaborate and elevated language.

Heroic Code

A code of conduct followed by warriors in the epic, emphasizing honor, courage, and the duty to fight.

Superhuman Ideals

The belief held by Romans that they were superior to other races, as reflected in the Aeneid.

Founding Myth

The mythological narrative that explains the origins of a culture or nation, as seen in Aeneas's story.

Empirical Themes

Themes in the Aeneid that relate to the foundation of power, duty, and destiny, relevant to Roman values.

What is the Aeneid?

An epic poem by Virgil that narrates the mythological story of the founding of Rome.

Who was Virgil?

Publius Virgilius Maro, the best poet of the Roman era and author of the Aeneid.

What does Pietas represent in the context of Aeneas?

Aeneas's dedication to the gods and his duty, a devotion stronger than mere piety.

What metrical structure is used in the original Latin text of the Aeneid?

Dactylic Hexameter, characterized by a specific rhythmic structure.

How does Juno impact Aeneas's journey?

As the queen of the gods and wife of Jupiter, Juno harbors a deep hatred for the Trojans and seeks to thwart Aeneas's destiny.

Who is Aeneas?

The main character of the Aeneid, a Trojan prince destined to found Rome.

Who is Dido?

The queen of Carthage, who is both capable and beautiful, and has her own tragic backstory.

What epic conflict provides the backdrop for Aeneas's journey?

The Trojan War, a significant conflict in Greek mythology that led to the fall of Troy.

Who was Octavian, also known as Augustus?

The first Roman emperor who established the Roman Empire after the Republic.

Beyond a physical voyage, what kind of journey does Aeneas undertake in the Aeneid?

A metaphorical quest to found a new cultural identity.

What central theme in the Aeneid deals with destiny versus divine interference?

Fate vs Free Will, illustrating the tension between Aeneas's destiny and the conflicts instigated by gods.

Which city does Aeneas escape from at the start of his journey?

Troy, after its fall to the Greeks.

Where do Aeneas and his companions land and meet Queen Dido?

Carthage.

Whom does Virgil invoke at the beginning of the Aeneid for divine inspiration?

The Muses.

What literary device does Virgil use in the Aeneid to convey deeper meanings about Roman identity?

Allegory.

Who is Aeneas's divine mother?

Venus, the goddess of love, who guides and protects her son.

What title was given to the ruler of the Roman Empire, starting with Augustus?

Emperor.

What is the lasting impact of the Aeneid on Western literature and Roman culture?

Its cultural legacy, showing continuing influence and shaping understanding.

How can the rhetorical style of the Aeneid be described?

As elaborate and elevated language.

What defines the Heroic Code in the Aeneid?

A code of conduct for warriors emphasizing honor, courage, and duty.

What Roman belief about superiority is reflected in the Aeneid?

Superhuman Ideals – the belief that Romans were superior to other races.

What is a 'founding myth' exemplified by Aeneas's story?

A mythological narrative that explains the origins of a culture or nation.

What 'themes' in the Aeneid relate to the foundation of power and destiny, relevant to Roman values?

Empirical Themes.