Aim: What life lessons can we learn from the Aeneid? Do Now: Who was Aeneas? Whom was he fighting when we last encountered him? What did Neptune say when he saved him?
The Aeneid By Vergil
Aeneas- Trojan War Hero
So how did the Trojan War end? The Greeks defeat the Trojans and destroy the city of Troy
But how did the Greeks do it?
Trickery! After 10 years of fighting, the Greeks pretend to sail home in defeat In reality, they sailed to a nearby island They left behind a giant wooden horse with Greek warriors hidden inside it The Trojans bring the horse into the city and all is well until…
Night falls
The Greek soldiers creep out of the horse and let in the rest of the Greek army (who have sailed back to Troy)
Our hero Aeneas manages to escape from the falling city He carries his father Anchises on his soldiers and leads his son Ascanius by the hand His wife Creusa passed away before she could escape
Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius
When Aeneas goes to find Creusa, her ghost gives him important advice Go where the Tiber River flows (a.k.a. Italy)! There you will obtain a new kingdom and a new wife!
Aeneas and a band of Trojan survivors set sail for Italy But before they get there…
Juno creates a storm
Juno is holding a grudge against the Trojans Why do you think that is?
Paris gave the golden apple to Venus instead of her!
Juno also hates the Trojans because they are destined to destroy Carthage, a city she loves The Trojans are destined to become the Romans The Romans will fight in a series of three wars with Carthage, a city in Northern Africa- the Punic Wars The Romans will be victorious and destroy Carthage
The Trojans are forced to take refuge in this very city
Carthage is being ruled by Queen Dido Dido is newly widowed
How convenient!
Anyone remember who Aeneas’s mother is?
Venus! How convenient!
Venus introduces Aeneas to Dido and asks Cupid to strike her with one of his arrows Dido falls in love!
Aeneas and the Trojans spend the winter in Carthage Aeneas and Dido become a couple
You can’t hide anything from Jupiter… When Jupiter finds out that Aeneas has been neglecting his responsibility, he sends Mercury to remind Aeneas of his destiny
Aeneas begins preparing his fleet But he really doesn’t want to break the news to Dido…
…so he doesn’t
He tries to prepare his fleet in secret But Dido finds out and confronts Aeneas
Aeneas’s excuse? The gods made me do it! Dido doesn’t take this very well and tells him she hopes his ship sinks When Aeneas leaves anyway, Dido is very upset Heartbroken and ridden with guilt at being unfaithful to her husband’s memory, Dido takes her own life
To be continued…