The Maius Opus

1. The Maius Opus Books VII-XII

2. Vergil and the Aeneid • During the first 40 years of Vergil’s life he lived during a time of continuous conflict • His work, the Aeneid, features key situations in which individuals create a life in common • e.g., Evander and Aeneas

3. Dido • Is there anything Roman about Dido? • Is she to blame for what happens? • Is Aeneas to blame for what happens?

4. Key Themes • Peace comes at a price • Danger is always at hand • Emphasis on the visual in Augustan culture • New ways for Romans to see themselves • See what they have in common with others

5. Us vs. Them, Part I • “Keiko was not one of our kind but nevertheless he was still one of us.” • (Veterinary Chaplain, Speaking at the Funeral of Keiko, A Killer Whale, Oregon, 2003)

6. Us vs. Them, Part II • “We found several sick and famished Indians, who begged hard for mercy and for food. It hurt my feelings; but the understanding was that all were to be killed. So we didthe work.” • (Settler, Oregon, 1857)

7. Overview of Book VII • Aeneas arrives in Latium • Latinus promises Lavinia in marriage to Aeneas • Juno and Allecto incite war • Catalogue of Italians who are heroes

8. Latinus, king of Latium Lavinia, his daughter Turnus, ruler of Rutulians Mezentius, ruler of the Etruscans Camillia, amazon like warrior who is allied with Turnus Allecto, a Fury Latium is the place where Aeneas will found Lavinium New Characters

9. Book VII – the halfway point • Erato is the muse chosen to start the book • She is the “lovely one” and she is the muse of love poetry • Book is about women and Vergil’s love of his native land

10. From Peace to War • When we first see Ostia, it is peaceful, but then it is transformed into a war camp, not a town • Warriors come from all over Italy to the camp

11. Ostia

12. From Troy to Rome • Aeneas goes to meet king Latinus, direct descendant of Saturn • Saturn founded Saturnia on the future site of Rome • Trojans have reached their final destination

13. Aeneas, Turnus and Lavinia • Lavinia is a second Helen AND a second Medea • War breaks out between the Latins and the Trojans • Will end up creating a dysfunctional family with Aeneas

14. Roman Marriage • Do not look for love in a marriage • Vergil says nothing of their marriage • Lavinia never says anything in this book • Will reappear in Book XII

15. The Terrifying Prediction VII.112-116 • You won’t found your city until you eat your tables • Aeneas and company are so hungry they eat the wheat cakes that hold their food • Is this sinister or funny?

16. She makes everyone mad Amata Turnus the Italians are angered by Ascanius killing a tame deer Destroys relationships between men and women Fills Turnus with rage – treaty is broken Trojans are guilty of spilling first blood Allecto’s Madness

17. The Gates of War • Gates flung open during times of war • Juno opens the gates • War has begun

18. Camilla – the equal of Turnus • Admired female warrior • Amazing physical powers • Huntress turned warrior • Ignored traditional female roles • Opposite of Dido?

19. Book VIII – plot summary • Aeneas goes to Evander, Evander promises Etruscan aid • Evander tells the story of Hercules • Venus asks Vulcan to make Aeneas’ armor

20. Hercules Temple at Rome

21. Evander, king of Pallanteum Pallas, his son Cacus, man eating monster Actium, 31 BC, the critical victory of Octavian (soon to be Augustus) Caesar over the opposing forces of Marc Antony and Cleopatra: this is the central scene in Aeneas' shield New Characters and Places

22. Multiple versions of Rome’s foundations Evander’s tour of the ancient city is reminiscent of the story of Romulus’ foundation Violence can remove moral danger and and protect the established community When Hercules kills Cacus, that is what he is doing Community and Identity

23. Evander’s humble home • Evander invites Aeneas into his home, which is reminiscent of Augustus’ house on the Palatine • The establishment of a moral, civilized community begins with good leadership

24. The Shield • Three values, iustitia, virtus, and pietas • All nations will bow down to Rome • Glory of the Roman Empire • Can Aeneas understand what he sees?

25. Book IX – Where’s Aeneas? • Main events include: • Turnus attacks • Nisus and Euryalus go on a night mission • Rage of Turnus – gets pushed out of Trojan camp

26. Turnus and the Rutilians • When Turnus attacks the Trojan camp, Aeneas’ ships turn into nymphs and vanish • Turnus is happy – no escape. • Misreads the sign. Urges men to rest before battle resumes

27. Nisus and Euryalus • Longing for glory, Euryalus decide to sneak off to warn Aeneas, takes Nisus with him • Aeneas says they are a fortunate pair • What is fortunate about getting killed?

28. A Series of Unfortunate Events • Night-time mission • Lust for Human slaughter and war-prizes • Gleam of helmet betrays a warrior

29. Interpretation of this episode • Death of young is part of war, may be tragic, but is necessary • Positive view of heroism – how you die defines how people perceive you • Deaths are not tragic as the pair gives in to hybris (excessive pride)

30. Issues Vergil raises in Book IX • What are the costs of war to women? • What does it mean to be human? • What does it mean to be a victor in war?

31. Book X- A Very Violent Episode • 25 battle scenes – gory and violent • Fighting continues • Turnus kills Pallas • Juno saves Turnus from Aeneas • Aeneas kills Mezentius

32. Power of Furor (Anger) • Can the power of a future empire contain the furor? • Juno’s intervention in Turnus and Aeneas’ fight is rare for a battle scene in an epic • Scene between Jupiter and Hercules

33. The Sorrow of Hercules • Hercules weeps when he sees Pallas dying • Jupiter tells him that everyone has their day to die • Who is Hercules? Most human of gods • Audience sees the death from two perspectives at once • Can anyone change fate?

34. Book Eleven • Burial of Pallas • Trojans attack • Death of Camilla

35. Deep Grief of Trojans for Pallas • Mezentius is a bloody trophy, but Pallas is a life tragically cut short • Mourning Trojan women appear • Robbed of the happy future of marriage and children • Death robs young warriors of their future

36. Turnus’ anger • Turnus is depicted as being like a stallion who wants to rush into war • Aeneas is the opposite, he hates war and equates it with sorrow • Duty vs. Freedom

37. Death of Camilla • Bellatrix (warrior) • Leaves her hunting for war, but she is doomed. • Promised a noble death • Raised in woods as a wild girl who drinks animals’ milk and even as a toddler had spear, bows and arrows

38. Respect for Camilla • Diana respects her decision to fight • Turnus puts her in charge of his men • Fights for her own reasons, even after she wants her share of the spoils (and dies fighting for them) she gets a hero’s death

39. Aeneid XII – The End • Turnus challenges Aeneas to fight • The Rutuli wound Aeneas • He is cured by Venus • Kills Turnus

40. The Fight • Aeneas trapped Turnus like a hunter traps a deer • Turnus is compared to Mars at the glory of his fighting • His death is humiliating • He offers Aeneas the chance to spare his life

41. Why Does Aeneas kill Turnus? • Sees belt of Pallas and is enraged • Turnus must die to ensure the future • Aeneas gets to defy Juno’s wishes

42. Conclusions • This is a foundation story • About community and identity • What are the rules? Who can be in the community? Who is the enemy?