Untitled Flashcards Set

fatricide

The act of killing one's brother, fundamentally linked to the founding of Rome as per the legend of Romulus and Remus.

civil war

A conflict within a country; early Roman history is heavily influenced by themes of civil war and strife.

pietas

A Roman virtue embodying duty to the gods, family, and country; central to the character of Aeneas in the Aeneid.

Aeneid

An epic poem written by Virgil, chronicling the journey of Aeneas from Troy to the founding of Rome.

oligarchs

Wealthy elites in Roman society who bought up land leading to increased social inequality.

Virgil's influence

Virgil was heavily influenced by Homer and aimed to create a distinctly Roman epic through the Aeneid.

Juno

The queen of the gods, who opposes Aeneas due to her anger towards the Trojans and her favoritism towards Carthage.

Augustus

First Roman emperor, who sought to restore Roman values and stability after years of civil war.

Turnus

The primary antagonist in the Aeneid, representing the old heroic ideals and directly opposing Aeneas.

Xenia

The ancient Greek concept of hospitality; highlighted in Aeneas' dealings with other nations.

Rome's foundation

The mythological founding of Rome by Romulus in 753 BC, rooted in themes of fratricide and violence.

Foreshadowing

A literary device used by Virgil to hint at future events, such as Aeneas' destiny and Rome's fate.

Carthage

The city founded by Dido, serving as a key antagonist in the story due to Juno's support of Dido against Aeneas.

Gaius Gracchus

A Roman politician who proposed reforms to help the poor, leading to his eventual assassination.

Maecenas

A patron of the arts during the reign of Augustus, associated with promoting literature and cultural development.

proemium

The introductory passage in epic poetry; used by Virgil to invoke the Muse at the beginning of the Aeneid.

Homeric code

The set of values emphasizing honor, glory, and personal relationships consistent in Homer's epics, which Virgil subverts in the Aeneid.

displacement

The theme of characters being displaced reminds of the struggles faced by Aeneas and reflects broader concepts of loss and identity.

Illiad

An ancient Greek epic poem attributed to Homer, focusing on the Trojan War, serving as a significant influence on Virgil's Aeneid.

nekyia

A rite of the dead, particularly invoked in epic literature, reflective of Aeneas' journey to the underworld for revelations.

Fortunato

The foundational belief in Roman destiny; associated with Aeneas’ journey being divinely guided by fate.