How Does Aeneas embody Romanitas?

Word Count: 751

Eryn Donovan

Introduction:Throughout the Aeneid, written by Vergil between 29 and 19 BC, the hero,

Aeneas, is continuously put in situations that test his loyalties toward the Gods. Time and time again, Aeneas remains loyal to the gods, putting his wishes second and following the will of the Gods. This analysis examined Aeneas’ embodiment of piety.

Source 1:

Ara Pacis Augustae: the "Aeneas" Panel

The “Aeneas” Panel, built in 13-9 BC, is currently residing at the Ara Pacis museum. The Panel shows Trojan Aeneas sacrificing a sow to the Penates, the household gods. The incomplete figure at Aeneas’ side is assumed to be his son, Ascanius. Here, Aeneas is portrayed as a grateful and loyal follower of the Penates as they lead him on his journey to found Rome, Italy.

Source 2:

This famous statue, made by Bernini in 1619, is of Aeneas in his flight from Troy. The statue can be found in the Galleria Borghese, Rome. Aeneas’ father, Anchises, is shown on his back carrying the Penates, with Ascanius, his son, following close behind. Aeneas’ devotion to his family and the Gods is prominently conveyed here through his obvious strain under the weight of his father and the Penates.

Source 3:1

me si fata meis paterentur ducere uitam               340 auspiciis et sponte mea componere curas, urbem Troianam primum dulcisque meorum reliquias colerem, Priami tecta alta manerent, et recidiua manu posuissem Pergama uictis. sed nunc Italiam magnam Gryneus Apollo,               345 Italiam Lyciae iussere capessere sortes;Italiam non sponte sequor.'2

This section from Vergil’s Aeneid, Book IV shows Dido and Aeneas in the midst of an argument over Aeneas’ departure from Carthage. Aeneas is attempting to convince Dido that he must leave Carthage to follow the orders of the Gods. Aeneas specifically points out that it is not by his will, but the will of the gods, that he sails for Italy. Thus, Aeneas’ piety is portrayed in his desire to follow the god’s orders.

11

2If the fates had allowed me to live my life under my ownauspices, and attend to my own concerns as I wished,I should first have cared for the city of Troy and the sweet relicsof my family, Priam’s high roofs would remain, and I’d have recreated Pergama, with my own hands, for the defeated. But now it is Italy that Apollo of Grynium, Italy, that the Lycian oracles, order me to take: (340-346)… Now even the messenger of the gods, sent by Jupiter himself,(I swear it on both our heads), has brought the commandon the swift breeze: (356-358)… I do not take course for Italy of my own free will.” (361) Aeneid Book IV

Source 4:

This Roman bas-relief, created in 2nd century AD, illustrates Aeneas and Ascanius’ arrival to Latium. Tibernus, God of the River Tiber, had told Aeneas in a dream that when he found a huge white sow bearing thirty piglets, he would have found the city he had been searching for. Here, Aeneas has finally found the white sow after a long and difficult journey, all by the will of the Gods. Thus, his piety is again evident.

Source 5:3

At pius Aeneas, quamquam lenire dolentem solando cupit et dictis auertere curas, multa gemens magnoque animum labefactus amore               395 iussa tamen diuum exsequitur classemque reuisit.

This excerpt, taken from Book IV of Vergil’s Aenied, reveals the extent of Aeneas’ feelings for Dido. After leaving her in her distressed state, Aeneas yearns to return to Dido and comfort her. However, his loyalty toward the Gods causes him to put his own will into the background and continue on his journey to Italy. Vergil continuously puts Aeneas in these difficult situations to test the limits of his commitment to the Gods.

Source 6:

3 But dutiful Aeneas, though he desired to ease her sadnessby comforting her and to turn aside pain with words, still, with much sighing, and a heart shaken by the strength of her love,followed the divine command, and returned to the fleet.

Aeneid Book IV lines 393-396

This bronze coin, made in 1st-3rd century CE and minted by the city of Ilium is of Aeneas leading Ascanius out of Troy. This artifact can currently be found in the British museum in London. After the tramatic event of seeing his beloved home land destroyed and his wife killed, Aeneas is shown leaving Troy with his son. Aeneas’ immediate reaction to carry out the destiny that the Gods forced upon his reveals his piety.

Source 7:4

ergo omnes magno circum clamore fremebant,    175 praecipue pius Aeneas. tum iussa Sibyllae, haud mora, festinant flentes aramque sepulcri congerere arboribus caeloque educere certant.

This excerpt taken from Vergil’s Aeneid shows the Trojans mourning the death of their beloved Misenus. However, Aeneas, being the leader of the group, overcame his grief quickly to carry out the Sibyl’s orders to bury Misenus. Though Aeneas was an ally to Misenus, he knew that his duty to the Gods was more important than the grief brought on by Misenus’ death.

Source 8:5 4 So, with pious Aeneas to the fore, they all mournedround the body with loud clamour. Then, without delay, weeping,they hurried to carry out the Sibyl’s orders, and laboured to piletree-trunks as a funeral pyre, raising it to the heavens. Aeneid Book VI lines 175-178

5 This done, he quickly carried out the Sibyl’s orders… (236) Aeneas

His actis propere exsequitur praecepta Sibyllae….

ipse atri uelleris agnam Aeneas matri Eumenidum magnaeque sorori               250 ense ferit, sterilemque tibi, Proserpina, uaccam; tum Stygio regi nocturnas incohat aras et solida imponit taurorum uiscera flammis, pingue super oleum fundens ardentibus extis.

In this excerpt from Book IV of Vergil’s Aeneid describes aeneas sacrificing a lamb to the gods. After arriving at the entrance to the Underworld, Lake Avernus, Aeneas found a black sheep and sacrificed it to multiple different Rulers of the Underworld. Here, Aeneas is shown to be loyal to the Rulers of the Underworld through his sacrifice.

Source 9:6

isque ubi tendentem aduersum per gramina uidit Aenean, alacris palmas utrasque tetendit,               685 effusaeque genis lacrimae et uox excidit ore: 'uenisti tandem, tuaque exspectata parenti uicit iter durum pietas? datur ora tueri, nate, tua et notas audire et reddere uoces?

This passage from Book VI of Vergil’s Aeneid tells of Aeneas meeting his father, Anchises, in the Underworld. Anchises is seeing his son for the first time since his death and the first thing he think upon seeing Aeneas is how admirably pious his son is. Aeneas’ determination to make the journey to his father in the Underworld shows Aeneas’ loyalty toward his family.

Conclusion:

himself sacrificed a black-fleeced lambto Night, mother of the Furies, and Earth, her mighty sister,and a barren heifer to you, Persephone.Then he kindled the midnight altars for the Stygian King,and placed whole carcasses of bulls on the flames, pouring rich oil over the blazing entrails. (249-254) Aeneid Book VI

6 And when he saw Aeneas heading towards him over the grasshe stretched out both his hands eagerly, his facestreaming with tears, and a cry issued from his lips:‘Have you come at last, and has the loyalty your father expectedconquered the harsh road? Is it granted me to see your face,my son, and hear and speak in familiar tones? Aeneid Book VI lines 684-689

In conclusion, Aeneas is portrayed as pious throughput Roman history. Aeneas is not only loyal to the quest that the Gods sent him on, but his is forever devoted to his family and homeland, Troy. He proved his piety through sacrifices, hard decisions, and most importantly, his incredibly difficult journey to found Rome.

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