Lecture Notes on Roman Elements in the Aeneid

Roman Elements in the Aeneid

  • The Aeneid is set in the mythic past (12th century BC) but contains elements that reflect Virgil's contemporary Roman society. It's not a direct commentary on Augustus, contemporary politics, or Rome, but it uses the past to explore themes relevant to Virgil's time.

  • Three specific scenes in the Aeneid look forward to Virgil's time:

    • These scenes demonstrate Virgil's awareness of future events, framing Rome's future as part of its storied past. This technique allows Virgil to comment on contemporary issues through the lens of mythology.

Jupiter's Speech to Venus (Book 1)

  • Venus expresses concern for Aeneas's safety in Carthage.

  • Jupiter offers reassurance about Rome's destiny, emphasizing that fate favors Rome.

  • imperium sine fine (line 258) - empire without end.

    • Jupiter's promise: "I've given them an empire that will know no end."

    • "On them I impose no limits of time or place."

  • The Roman Empire's historical limitations add complexity to this promise.

  • Aeneas and his followers are referred to as "the race of Hector" (Trojans).

    • The transition of Aeneas's identity to Roman occurs with Romulus's founding of Rome, 400 years later.

    • Aeneas is destined to be the progenitor of the Roman race through his son Ascanius, linking Trojan heritage to Roman identity.

  • Julius Caesar is hailed as a "Trojan Caesar," connecting his lineage to Aeneas and Troy, thus glorifying Caesar's family.

  • Jupiter predicts Juno's eventual support for Rome, which is depicted in Book 12. This reconciliation symbolizes the resolution of divine conflicts in favor of Rome's destiny.

  • Aeneas spends only three years in Italy post-war before his death.

    • Aeneas's personal desires are secondary to the mission of establishing the state, highlighting the Roman value of public duty over personal fulfillment.

    • Marrying the appropriate woman and securing the dynasty takes precedence over personal happiness.

  • The ultimate outcome is the closing of the gates of war, symbolizing peace achieved through military victory.

    • This is a direct reference to Augustus's claim of establishing peace through victory.

  • Augustus in Res Gestae Divi Augusti (chapter 13) asserts:

    • The Temple of Janus Quirinus's doors are closed when peace is attained through victory, signifying the end of war.

    • "Peace through victory" is a core Roman ideology, emphasizing military dominance as a means to secure peace.

    • Before Augustus, the doors had only been closed twice since Rome's founding. Augustus closed them three times during his rule, showcasing his achievements in establishing peace.

    • Augustus manipulates historical narratives to bolster his image as a peacemaker.

  • Virgil couldn't have known these specific claims at the time of writing, but it reflects contemporary political discourse surrounding Augustus's reign.

  • Roman society's preoccupation with genealogy is highlighted.

    • Romans kept ancestor masks in their atrium to honor their lineage.

    • Jupiter traces the lineage from Aeneas through the Alban Kings to Julius Caesar, legitimizing Caesar's power through divine ancestry.

    • The reference to the House of Asarakis (Anchises' grandfather) alludes to Trojans/Romans conquering Achilles' Phthia and Mycenae, symbolizing the Roman conquest of Greece in the 2nd century BCE.

  • Virgil merges the distant mythic past with more recent Roman history, creating a cohesive narrative that links Rome's origins to its present glory.

Foreshadowing Rome's Future (Book 6)

  • Aeneas journeys to the underworld with his deceased father, Anchises, who reveals the future of Rome.

  • Aeneas encounters figures from his past, such as Dido, and witnesses a procession of future Roman heroes awaiting rebirth.

  • Refer to the appendix for identifying obscure figures in this parade of heroes.

  • The cyclical pattern of the Roman heroic narrative is emphasized:

    • The two Marcellus figures: a Republican military hero from the 3rd century BCE and Augustus's nephew who died in 23 BCE. This juxtaposition underscores the continuity of Roman heroism across different eras.

  • Augustus's sister, Octavia, reportedly fainted upon hearing Virgil recite the passage about Marcellus, highlighting the emotional impact of Virgil's poetry on the imperial family.

  • Virgil was highly esteemed and enjoyed access to the Augustan household, indicating his prominent status in Roman society.

  • Virgil's deliberate writing process, averaging three lines a day, reflects the meticulous composition and attention to detail in his work.

Shield of Aeneas (Book 8)

  • The Battle of Actium (31 BCE), where Augustus triumphed over Antony and Cleopatra, receives significant attention, underscoring its importance in shaping Roman history and solidifying Augustus's power.

    • Actium is given center stage, symbolizing Augustus's victory and the dawn of a new era for Rome.

  • Aeneas is implicitly aligned with Augustus:

    • While not explicitly stated, parallels exist between Aeneas and Augustus, suggesting a deliberate association.

    • The dynasty connection (Aeneas as the father of the Julian line) links Augustus to a legendary lineage, enhancing his authority.

    • Both Aeneas and Augustus embody strong family values and pietas (duty, piety), emphasizing their commitment to traditional Roman virtues.

  • Augustus's self-image is reflected in Aeneas's portrayal:

    • Creating a dynasty to ensure the continuity of his power.

    • Constructing a mausoleum to immortalize his legacy.

    • Demonstrating devotion to his father (Julius Caesar) by honoring his memory.

    • Reviving religious rituals and priesthoods to reinforce traditional Roman values.

    • Exhibiting respect for the gods and religious rituals, mirroring Aeneas's piety.

  • Aeneas is addressed as Pater Aeneas (father Aeneas), highlighting his roles as priest, father, protector, and founder of a dynasty.

  • Augustus receives the title Pater Patriae (father of the country), underscoring his role as the protector and leader of Rome.

Is the Aeneid Pro-Augustan/Pro-Roman Imperialism?

  • Servius (4th century CE) posited that Virgil wrote the Aeneid to glorify Augustus through his ancestors, aligning the epic with imperial propaganda.

  • Donatus (4th century CE) suggested that Virgil's aim was to depict Aeneas as a worthy ancestor of the emperor, legitimizing Augustus's rule.

  • Ovid noted that Book 4 (the Dido episode) was the most popular, which is ironically the least Augustan book, raising questions about the poem's intended message and reception.

    • The Dido episode potentially condemns Aeneas's actions, offering a critical perspective on his abandonment of Dido for the sake of his Roman destiny.

  • Dante interpreted the Aeneid as a tragedy, highlighting the suffering and loss inherent in the pursuit of imperial ambitions.

  • Early 20th-century scholars viewed the Aeneid as promoting imperial values, portraying Aeneas and Augustus as figures who brought order and suppressed furor (uncontrolled anger).

  • Later 20th-century scholars (Harvard School) drew parallels between Rome's civil wars and the horrors of aggressive warfare, suggesting a critique of imperial violence.

  • Adam Parry argued that the poem is filled with melancholy and regret, reminding readers of the personal sacrifices and losses that accompany imperial ambition.

  • Aeneas's reaction to the decorations on the walls of Dido's temple of Juno in book one underscores this theme:

    • Lacrimae Rerum - the tears of things, reflecting the pervasive sense of sorrow and loss.

    • He witnesses suffering and mourning, highlighting the human cost of imperial expansion.

  • Michael Putnam began to identify overt anti-Augustan sentiments in the Aeneid:

    • Furor is embodied by characters such as Dido, Juno, and Turnus, but Aeneas succumbs to it in the final chapter, challenging the notion of Aeneas as a purely virtuous hero.

    • Aeneas, driven by anger, exacts vengeance on Turnus, ultimately killing him in a fit of rage.

    • Hic\,ferrum\,condit \,ad\,worces\,of\,pectora\,veridus.

    • The verb "condit" (buries) can also mean founded or planted, adding layers of interpretation to Aeneas's final act.

    • Does Aeneas's actions align with Anchises' instructions in Book 6 to spare the conquered and war down the proud?

  • Ralph Johnson emphasizes the darkness present in the poem and argues for its ambiguity, suggesting multiple interpretations are possible.

    • The text is open to various interpretations, inviting readers to engage with the complexities of the narrative.

  • Oliver Lyon and Tony Boyle adopt a pessimistic perspective on the Aeneid, focusing on its tragic elements and critique of imperial power.

  • David Quint asserts that epic poetry at Rome is inherently political and driven by a teleological narrative that leads to imperial power. Losers in this narrative are afforded romance and emotion, while Trojans become pragmatic in the second half of the poem.

  • Christine Purple provides a comprehensive summary of these diverse scholarly views, offering a balanced overview of the critical debates surrounding the Aeneid.

  • Duncan Kennedy dismisses pro/anti-Augustan interpretations as overly simplistic, arguing that all works written under Augustus are inevitably influenced by Augustan discourse.

  • Peter Davis challenges Kennedy's view as a cop-out, contending that the scholarly debate remains relevant and unresolved.