1. The Aeneid
The Roman Epic

2. Virgil– The Roman Homer
Regarded by the Romans as their greatest poet
Began The Aeneid in 29 BCE
Worked on it till his death 10 years later
Unfinished—Requested that it be burned
Published by Emperor Augustus
despite Virgil’s wishes
(Homer’s works were composed
approx. 600 years earlier)

3. Virgil v. Homer: Similarities: Differences:
Both begin “in media res” (in the middle of things)
Both invoke help in telling the story
Both include “Homeric” similes and epithets
Differences:
Homer’s epic was an oral one, created for illiterate people
Virgil wrote his epic
Could pay attention to his choice of words and structure

5. The Virgilian Hero (Aeneas)
Pawn of the gods, like Greeks
Fights for country
Aware of destiny, fate
Fate revealed through visits from deceased relatives (shades)
Usually has one or more divine beings on his side and against him (Venus, Apollo, Neptune)

6. Aeneas– Trojan Hero
Romans used a Trojan hero, an enemy of the Greeks, as the creator of their civilization.
Son of a deity and a mortal (Anchises and Venus)
Ancestor of Romulus and Augustus Caesar
This version of Roman history emphasized the idea that the gods had always meant for Romans to rule the world. 
Aeneas conquers Latium (capital city of the Roman Empire)
Prophesies the rise of the Empire’s power generations later

7. The Odyssey of Aeneas Aeneas’ journey parallels that of Odysseus’
Each begins at the end of the Trojan War
Both have to overcome obstacles placed in their paths by deities
Find female companionship along the way
Both travel to the Underworld in search of guidance
However, Aeneas has no home, unlike Odysseus

8. Roman Values: Pietas vs. Furor
Virgil separates these two traits into two characters to illustrate the conflict between them and how they both exist within any human.
*Not mutually exclusive
furor: to be ruled by passions and selfishness following excitement and emotion; the precedence of the individual over the group
pietas: dutifulness, doing what was right for the family, the community, the civilization, and the gods.

9. Aeneas Flees Burning Troy, Federico Barocci, 1598

10. Federico BAROCCI (1528-1612) 'Aeneas Carrying His Father from Burning Troy' 

11. Spada Lionello - Aeneas & Anchises

12. Aeneas and his Companions Fighting the Harpies PERRIER, François b. ca

13. Mercury commanding Aeneas to leave Carthage, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1757

14. Henry Fuseli. Dido, 1781