Augustus, Aeneas, The Aeneid and Virgil

Augustus Secured political situation Defeated Antony Convinced senate of his right to govern Wanted Romans to return to ‘good ol’ fashioned values’ Ancient virtues and morals Leges Juliae – law passed 81 BC The Aeneid was created to encourage the desire to return to the old ways

Revival of Old Virtues Pietas Gravitas Frugalitas Disciplina Industria Virtus Constantia dedication to duty sense of responsibility simple tastes character training hard work manliness and courage firmness of purpose

Augustus encouraged… Restoring old temples Building new temples Reviving ancient cults and ceremonies Reviving obsolete priesthoods Place great importance on the role of family

Restoring old temples Building new temples

Circus Maximus Temple of Vesta Ara Pacis Augustae

The Aeneid Devotion to duty, religion and family Civil War – 3 generations effected Virgil wrote The Aeneid to portray hopes and aspirations of Rome Deals with the idea of world-destiny Overall optimistic feel but with two elements Optimistic and Pessimistic

Half full or Half empty Rome is going to be great Fate has a purpose Aeneas grows into his glory The promise of the afterlife Fate can be cruel Gods and humans cannot control fate How much human suffering was caused to found Rome

Epic Poetry Not a novel Features of Epic Poetry Hero is the most important character Settings are grandiose Ceremonial writing Heroes are ‘super-human’ Immortal interference

Aeneas’ Wanderings…