The Aeneid By Vergil
Alexandra Hobrecht
Jason McKnight
Advanced Latin Poetry
3 June 2015
Title?
A lengthy epic poem, the Aeneid by Vergil follows the journey of the Trojans on their quest to found Rome. Led by their leader Aeneas, they face a series of trials and quests as they travel to Italy. They have many encounters with gods and other beings of divine will. In the first six books, the Trojans stop at countless locations, including the city of Carthage where Queen Dido is told all of their journey by Aeneas. He talks of the burning of Troy and their endless sailing throughout Books II and III, filling the audience in on what has happened to the Trojans and then bringing them back into the present. In Book IV, the Trojans leave Carthage, causing heart-broken …show more content…
Anchises travels with the Trojans from the burning of Troy to the end of Book III, when Aeneas explains his death to Queen Dido. In Book VI, Aeneas goes to visit him in the Underworld, being one of the few mortals to make it there and back alive. He is accompanied by the Sibyl, who helps guide him until they reach his father, who thus begins a speech about the future. The importance of this speech is shown as Anchises explains the Trojan’s fate and the future of Rome: “And when father Anchises has shown his son each scene and fired his soul with love of coming glory, then he tells Aeneas of the wars he must still wage, of the Laurentians, of Latinus’ city, and how he is to flee or face each trial,”(1185-1190). Anchises goes on to explain all of the events that will take place because of the Trojan’s trials. He first explains the different parts of the Underworld and what the souls have done in order to be where they are. The souls waiting to cross the River Styx, for example, are trapped on the opposite side of the bank until their above-ground bodies are buried. Then, Anchises proceeds to start the prophecy by telling Aeneas he will marry Lavinia and have a son named Silvius. He will go on to become king and rule Alba Longa, cities will be built and Romulus will lead Rome. Anchises also mentions many important figures such as Caesar, who will renew the golden age in Latium. This speech shows how Anchises is able to help, care and look out for his son even though he is in the Underworld. He accompanied Aeneas through as much of the journey as he could in person, but is now still able to guide him, as he has in the past, from the Underworld. The prophecy he gives Aeneas is arguably one of the most important prophecies in the Aeneid. Because of its’ dense content, Aeneas returns to his comrades with a new
Jason McKnight
Advanced Latin Poetry
3 June 2015
Title?
A lengthy epic poem, the Aeneid by Vergil follows the journey of the Trojans on their quest to found Rome. Led by their leader Aeneas, they face a series of trials and quests as they travel to Italy. They have many encounters with gods and other beings of divine will. In the first six books, the Trojans stop at countless locations, including the city of Carthage where Queen Dido is told all of their journey by Aeneas. He talks of the burning of Troy and their endless sailing throughout Books II and III, filling the audience in on what has happened to the Trojans and then bringing them back into the present. In Book IV, the Trojans leave Carthage, causing heart-broken …show more content…
Anchises travels with the Trojans from the burning of Troy to the end of Book III, when Aeneas explains his death to Queen Dido. In Book VI, Aeneas goes to visit him in the Underworld, being one of the few mortals to make it there and back alive. He is accompanied by the Sibyl, who helps guide him until they reach his father, who thus begins a speech about the future. The importance of this speech is shown as Anchises explains the Trojan’s fate and the future of Rome: “And when father Anchises has shown his son each scene and fired his soul with love of coming glory, then he tells Aeneas of the wars he must still wage, of the Laurentians, of Latinus’ city, and how he is to flee or face each trial,”(1185-1190). Anchises goes on to explain all of the events that will take place because of the Trojan’s trials. He first explains the different parts of the Underworld and what the souls have done in order to be where they are. The souls waiting to cross the River Styx, for example, are trapped on the opposite side of the bank until their above-ground bodies are buried. Then, Anchises proceeds to start the prophecy by telling Aeneas he will marry Lavinia and have a son named Silvius. He will go on to become king and rule Alba Longa, cities will be built and Romulus will lead Rome. Anchises also mentions many important figures such as Caesar, who will renew the golden age in Latium. This speech shows how Anchises is able to help, care and look out for his son even though he is in the Underworld. He accompanied Aeneas through as much of the journey as he could in person, but is now still able to guide him, as he has in the past, from the Underworld. The prophecy he gives Aeneas is arguably one of the most important prophecies in the Aeneid. Because of its’ dense content, Aeneas returns to his comrades with a new