Virgilio: l'Eneide

Summary

The Aeneid, an epic poem by Virgil, tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero destined to found Rome. Written after 29 BC, it is divided into 12 books, blending myth and history. The narrative follows Aeneas's journey, which includes a storm caused by Juno that leads him to Carthage, where he falls in love with Queen Dido. After leaving her, Aeneas visits the Underworld to meet his father Anchises. The poem culminates in a war between the Trojans and the Rutulians, ending with Aeneas's victory. The Aeneid not only celebrates Rome's origins but also glorifies Augustus's power, legitimized by his supposed descent from Aeneas.

Takeaways

• 😀 *The Aeneid* is an epic poem written by the Roman poet Virgil, composed in hexameters.
• 😀 The poem, written between 29 and 19 BCE, is one of the most important works in Latin literature.
• 😀 It consists of 12 books that tell the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero on a mission to found a new city.
• 😀 Aeneas' journey starts with a storm sent by the goddess Juno, which forces him and his companions to land in Libya.
• 😀 In Libya, Queen Dido of Carthage offers hospitality to Aeneas and falls in love with him due to the intervention of Cupid.
• 😀 Aeneas tells his story to Dido during a banquet, recounting the fall of Troy and his adventures up to that point.
• 😀 Aeneas must leave Dido to continue his mission, leading to her tragic suicide and a curse on Aeneas and his descendants.
• 😀 Aeneas and his companions continue their journey, eventually reaching the Italian coast where they are greeted by King Latinus.
• 😀 Aeneas' marriage to Latinus' daughter, Lavinia, is contested by Turnus, the king of the Rutuli, leading to war.
• 😀 The war ends with Aeneas defeating Turnus in single combat, solidifying his position and fulfilling his destiny.
• 😀 Virgil's *Aeneid* incorporates elements from Homer’s works, particularly *The Odyssey* in the first half and *The Iliad* in the second half.
• 😀 The poem serves as a national epic, celebrating Rome's origins and the power of Augustus, while also legitimizing his rule through the connection to Aeneas.
• 😀 It is believed that Virgil wanted to burn the *Aeneid* on his deathbed, but Augustus prevented this and oversaw its posthumous publication.

Q & A

What is *L'Eneide* (The Aeneid) about?

*L'Eneide* is an epic poem by Virgil that tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero, who after the fall of Troy, embarks on a journey to establish a new homeland in Italy, which will eventually become the Roman Empire.

Who wrote *L'Eneide* and when?

*L'Eneide* was written by the Roman poet Virgil between 29 BC and 19 BC.

How many books are in *L'Eneide* and what do they cover?

*L'Eneide* consists of 12 books, covering the journey of Aeneas from the fall of Troy to his arrival and eventual victory in Italy, culminating in the foundation of what will become the Roman Empire.

How does the poem begin?

The poem begins with Aeneas and his companions sailing towards Lazio, Italy, but they are blown off course by a storm created by Eolo, the god of winds, on the orders of Juno. This leads them to the shores of Libya, where they encounter Queen Dido of Carthage.

What role does Queen Dido play in the story of *L'Eneide*?

Queen Dido offers hospitality to Aeneas and his companions in Carthage. They develop a romantic relationship, which ultimately leads to tragedy when Aeneas must leave to fulfill his destiny, causing Dido to commit suicide in despair.

What is Aeneas's mission in *L'Eneide*?

Aeneas’s mission is to find a new homeland for the Trojans, which is destined to become the Roman Empire. He is guided by fate and divine will to establish this new city in Italy.

How does *L'Eneide* compare to Homer's works?

*L'Eneide* draws heavily from Homer's *The Odyssey* and *The Iliad*. The first half of the poem (books 1-6) mirrors the journey of Odysseus in *The Odyssey*, while the second half (books 7-12) resembles *The Iliad*, focusing on war and heroism.

How does the poem relate to the political context of the time?

*L'Eneide* serves as a work of political propaganda, legitimizing the rule of Augustus Caesar. It emphasizes that Augustus's family, the Julii, are descended from Aeneas’s son Ascanius, thereby connecting Augustus to the divine foundation of Rome.

What happens to the poem after Virgil’s death?

According to tradition, Virgil asked for *L'Eneide* to be burned as he felt it was incomplete. However, Emperor Augustus intervened and ensured that the poem was edited and published posthumously by Virgil's friends, Varius Rufus and Plotius Tucca.

Why is *L'Eneide* considered a national epic?

*L'Eneide* is considered a national epic because it celebrates the founding of Rome and its imperial destiny, portraying Aeneas as the heroic forefather of the Roman people and linking the city’s origin to divine intervention and fate.