FATE, FUN, FUNERAL GAMES The Aeneid

Takes place on Aeneas and his follower’s journey from Troy to Italy. After Troy was destroyed, the remaining Trojans fled the city. The word “Aeneid” means the story of Aeneas.  This is not misleading. Written to establish a link between the gods and Trojans to Rome

Virgil Much more is known about Virgil than Homer. Born, 70 BC; died, 19 BC. Roman poet inspired by Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey Written during the first century BC. He died before it was completed, and he instructed his estate to destroy it.  There are imperfections.

THE AENEID Homer’s Epics Books 1-6  (Aeneas’ voyage to Rome.) Books 7-12  (Romans vs. Carthaginians) The Odyssey  (Odysseus’ journey home.) The Iliad  (Achaeans vs. Trojans) Correlations

Aeneas in The Iliad “He is destined to survive. Yes, so the generation of Dardanus will not perish, obliterated without an heir, without a trace: Dardanus, dearest to Zeus of all her sons that mortal women brought to birth for Father. Now he has come to hate the generation of Priam, and now Aeneas will rule the men of Troy in power— his sons’ sons and the sons born in future years.” - (ll )

ROMAN NAMES GREEK NAMES ULYSSES JUNO VENUS JUPITER NEPTUNE PYRRHUS MINERVA MARS MERCURY ODYSSEUS HERA APHRODITE ZEUS POSEIDON NEOPTOLEMUS ATHENA ARES HERMES Name Changes

Ancient map

Epic Poetry Why is it epic?  Contains an epic hero: a virtuous and noble figure, proven in battle, who represents his nation, culture, or race.  Lengthy  Lofty, serious style  Contains Homeric similes (also known as epic similes)  Begins in medias res  Starts with an invocation of the muse

Epic Poetry Why is it poetry? Remember, The Aeneid is a poem. It is written in dactylic hexameter verse.  There are six feet in a row.  Each line has six primary stresses.  It is the most common form of verse in epics. It contains alliteration (repetition of consonant sounds)  “A surge aswirl with sand” (ll ).

Epic Hero Usually descendent from a god or goddess Participates in cyclical journey or quest Exemplifies traits and morals for his people Embodies cultural and religious beliefs  Examples: Achilles, Aeneas, Beowulf, Cu Chulain, Dante, Hector, King Arthur, and Odysseus.

In Medias Res Latin phrase that means “in the middle of things” The Aeneid begins with Aeneas and his men already on the ships. Characters are already established. We do not see the Trojan War. We do need exposition to learn about the past in Book 2.

Invocation of the Muse The goddess is the muse, the personification of the poet’s inspiration. The poet did not consciously compose his verses; the muse instructs him what to say. In The Iliad, the verses were recited in song. Virgil is showing Homer’s influence by beginning The Aeneid with an invocation.

Simile A comparison between two unlike things using like, as, than, or resembles.  Ex: “The arrows clanged at his back as the god quaked with rage/ the god himself on the march and down he came like night.” (Iliad ll ).

Homeric Simile Lengthy comparisons that use like, as, than, or resembles between something and nature.  Ex: “As hard at their tasks as bees in early summer,/ that work the blooming meadows under the sun,/they escort a new brood out, young adults now,/ or press the oozing honey into the combs, the nectar/ brimming the bulging cells, or close ranks like an army,/ driving the drones, that lazy crew, from home./ The hive seethes with life, exhaling the scent/ of honey sweet with thyme.” (Aeneid ll ).

Ornamental Epithets Descriptive labels that accompany almost every appearance of a hero, god, or familiar object.  “Duty-bound”, “Mastermind of Crime”, “Godless”, “Lord of the Stormwind” and “King of Cloudbursts.”

Anthropomorphism The attribution of human characteristics to non- human beings.  Examples: Rage, Force. The non-human actually takes the human form, unlike in personification, where it is only described as humanlike. These characters are also deified. They are made to be gods or goddesses.

Lineage ZeusVenusAeneas Ascanius Iulus ~ Ilia & Mars Romulus ~Julius Caesar Virgil

Importance of a Name