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The Aeneid. From the Age of Heroes to the Age of Imperial Rome. History vs. Legend. Roman tradition = Romulus founded Rome Greek tradition = Aeneas founded Roman people Romulus and Remus become Aeneas’ descendents. Timeline of Events. Alba Longa.
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The Aeneid From the Age of Heroes to the Age of Imperial Rome
History vs. Legend • Roman tradition = Romulus founded Rome • Greek tradition = Aeneas founded Roman people • Romulus and Remus become Aeneas’ descendents
Alba Longa • City in Italy founded by Iulus, the son of Aeneas • Iulus is also called Ascanius • Aeneas’ father is Anchises
Livy’s Rome • Roman ancestor • Who today shall call the wolf their foster mother? • Propertius
Vergil’s Rome • New kind of hero • Shoot first, ask later • “Trojan Aeneas, are you slow?”
Aeneas as Hero • Speeches in Livy • Visual Imagery • Aeneas is shown the future
But now, back to our story • Aeneas is pius • Pietas • Household gods • Dido
Aeneas’ Duty • Leave Dido • Found a new nation • Put politics before passion
Book Three • Aeneas “takes to the open sea” with his father, son and household gods • Buries the Trojan Polydorus (evidence of Aeneas’ piety) • The gods warn Aeneas he cannot stay on Crete
Book Three • Aeneas finds Andromache, widow of Hector • Helenus shows Aeneas the Tiny Troy • Aeneas receives the prophecy that he will eat his plates • The death of Anchises
Book Four • Aeneas is in Carthage • Queen Dido falls in love with him • Juno has a plan
Book Four, the Dido Dilemma • Dido resists fate • She is caught between Juno and Venus • Comparison with Cleopatra and Medea • What is Vergil’s stance on excessive emotion?
Book Four • Aeneas and Dido are married • Mercury comes to Aeneas • Aeneas sets sail • Dido kills herself
Book Five • Aeneas sees a big fire as he sails from Carthage • Holds funeral games for his father (pietas) • Palinurus falls overboard
Book Six • Aeneas encounters the Sibyl • He lingers in front of the Temple of Apollo • He sees many things, including the story of Icarus and Daedalus
Aeneas visits the underworld • Aeneas must see Dido for himself • Words are ineffective • Fathers see sons die • Parents bury their children
Conclusions • Spectacle • Violence • Fate • Why does Aeneas exit through the gate of false dreams?