Theme: Augustan values

Question 1

How is Augustus portrayed?

Answer 1

Augustus is praised throughout through flattering stories of his ancestors where the resemblances are not explicitly pointed out and direct allusion to Augustus in prophecies.

Question 2

How is Augustus presented as brining peace?

Answer 2

Bk.1 During the speech of Jupiter in response to the anxieties of Venus for the survival of the Trojans (describes future of Rome thousands of years)
“Dread gates of War.. will then be closed”
Context: under Augstus it will be closed for the first time in 200 years (temple of Janus) after civil war ended in 31BC

Bk.8 The shield of Aeneas made by Vulcan is described in ekkphrasis on which 3/5 of the “story of Italy and the triumphs of the Romans” on the shield is devoted to Augustus’ defeat of Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium

Question 3

How can Aeneas be seen to be reminiscent of Augustus in some respects?

Answer 3

Both the imagery of Aeneas and his characteristics can be read to be reminiscent of Augustus

Bk.4 At the beginning of the Trojan and Carthaginian hunt, Aeneas is likened to Apollo in a brief simile by Virgil

• Minor, still significant: Apollo was the patron god of Augustus

Bk.10 “On the head of Aeneas there blazed a tongue of fire” – like Augustus on the shield of Aeneas

Bk.9 and throughout the Aeneid, Aeneas is constantly referred to as “Father Aeneas” by Virgil

• Presentation of Aeneas as a Father figure is reminiscent of the Pater Patriae – father of a nation, Augustus also
  held this title

Bk. 4 Aeneas’ care for his son Ascanius in his justification of leaving Carthage to Dido
“Cheating him of his Kingdon..the fates have decreed for him”
- Prominence given to father/son relationships may also reflect the Julian Laws.

Question 4

What are some examples where Virgil may have deliberately drawn attention to the defeat of the uncivilized ?

Answer 4

Bk.4 Dido may represent Cleopatra in her material description
“gold and purple”
- Reminder to the audience that Antony forged an alliance with a foreign queen rather than remain loyal to the ideal of Rome.

Bk.8 the myth of Hercules and Cacus recounted by Evander to Aeneas as an explanation of the great altar may be a myth intended to parallel Augustus delivering Rome from the monstrous threat of Antony and Civil War.

Bk. 8 3/5s is devoted to the triumph of Augustus over the east

Question 5

Why would Virgil have to portray Rome is a positive light?

Answer 5

Vigil’s patron–
Virgil was a client poet working for Maecenas, Augustus’ close friend and political advisor.

Instructions from Virgil to burn the Aeneid after he died were overruled by Augustus.

Question 6

What should you always mention in an intro of an essay about patriotism?

Answer 6

Plently of ways to inspire patriotism chiefly the three patriotic passages

In the second half of the Aenied the celebration of locations

Virgil’s patron Maecenus (sponsor) friend of Aug