The Aeneid (Introduction-Book Three)

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        Publius Vergilius Maro, Virgil for short, lived in a time of tension and crime amongst the Roman horizon. He became the "supreme Roman poet" and gave life to the story of Rome's origin, this being The Aeneid. Virgil did not become a Roman citizen until he was a young man because he lived in the village of Andes. This Italian village was not granted Roman citizenship until the people fought for these rights. Even after becoming a Roman citizens Virgil's writing has "...a constant and vibrant / undertone of sympathy for and identification with the Italians..."(3). Furthermore The Aeneid has been to compared, as the Roman version of The Odyssey and The Iliad. There are numerous instances in which Virgil's epic coincides with that of Homers. Unlike Homer, Virgil was also very conscience of history. His epic references accounts for different historical events, creating a more unified story. This epic was supposed to be destroyed after his death, because it was not finished; however even after the death of Virgil in 19 B.C. his stories continue to gain popularity. This epic in particular became the ultimate guide to Roman history and was predominantly used in schools. It came to a point were people believe that by opening Virgil's work and pointing at a passage you could learn your fate.

"War and a man I sing..."(1).

       The epic begins with the introduction of Juno, the queen of the gods. Juno hates the Trojans because they are destined to overthrow her beloved city of Carthage. Also when put to judgement Paris, a Trojan, said that Venus was more beautiful then Juno. The story then opens to the Trojan's on open water escaping the slaughter of the Greeks. Juno bribes King Aeolus, Lord of Winds, to free the winds in order to create a storm around Aeneas' fleet. Holding on for dear life Aeneas, the protagonist, prays to the gods. Neptune notices the storm and scolds the winds for escaping. He tells them that, "Power over the sea and ruthless trident is mine, / not his -- it's mine by lot, by destiny" (162-163). Neptune calms the sea so that Aeneas and his men are able to find the closest land, Libya's coast. Aeneas starts a fire while his men rest their weary bodies. A connection between The Aeneid and The Odyssey are the protagonist. These men are both travelers who are pushed certain directions because of the gods. One major difference between these men thus far is seen by the humility of Aeneas. While Odysseus is humble at times, for major parts of the epic he gets himself into more trouble because he is arrogant. The men morn for the deaths of their comrades in the storm. The epic then returns to the gods while Venus begs Jove, Jupiter, for the safe travels of Aeneas and his men. She reminds him of Aeneas' fate and is told that these events would come to pass by Jupiter. Jump back to the protagonist and his men. Aeneas goes out with Achates to scout the land while the crew recuperates on the beach. The men meet Venus on their travel disguised as a young huntress. Aeneas recognizes that she is a goddess. Venus denies that she is a goddess but informs them where they have landed and the history behind the ruler. Aeneas then laments about his hardships that got him to this place. Unable to listen anymore Venus stops him short and tells him that the other ships made it to land safely, she also reads the flight of swans as a good omen for Aeneas. As Venus walks away Aeneas recognizes her as his mother and she speeds off in order to not discuss anything further. The two men continue their travel and make their way to the city. Venus puts a cloud around the men in order to not alarm the citizens of their arrival. Aeneas and Achates are amazed at how much the town has changed and after seeing a mural of the war, he just left, Aeneas cries out asking if he will ever get away from these reminders. Dido, the queen of Carthage, is seen amongst her court. Aeneas is elated to see the men he thought had perished speaking to the queen. He waits to approach them in order to see what they are discussing with the queen. These weary travels appeal to the queen for mercy and promise they will not plunder the land, Prince Ilionesu reminisces

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of his lost leader and Queen Dido openly welcomes the men. She request that some of her trusty men scour the coast to search for the lost leader. Aeneas and Achates go towards the queen and men and Aeneas reveals himself to the crowd. Aeneas greets the Queen and openly praises her beauty. The Queen relates back to how she heard of the leader. She leads him into the royal halls, but she does not forget Aeneas' men  still on the beach and sends them a plethora of livestock. Aeneas sends Achates back to the ship for Ascanius, his son, and gifts for the Queen. Venus plots to keep Aeneas and his men with Queen Dido because they have suffered for so long. She sends cupid, another one of her sons, to replace Ascanius while Venus hides the boy in the Idalian grove. Cupid, disguised as Ascanius, enters the castle with Achates and the many gifts. The two enter the royal hall while servants dote on Aeneas and the men. They admire the gifts and Ascanius. While being held by Queen Dido Cupid breaths love and passion into the lady for Aeneas. At the feast Queen Dido prays to Jupiter and Juno.While the guest enjoy the feast and entertainment, Queen Dido questions Aeneas about details from the war. The book ends with her asking Aeneas to tell his story.
       Book Two opens up with Aeneas diving right into his recollection of the Troy's last hours. Even though it grieves him Aeneas is willing to tell his recollection of this tragic event. The Greek's built a large horse shaped offering. The Romans were divided on the safety of this "gift". Many of the men did not know quite sure what the purpose would be of such a large, wooden, object. Laocoon, priest of Neptune, is suspicious of the horse and throws a spear at its belly. A Greek captive is then brought to the men and through and through his groveling cast off any doubts had by the Romans. Aeneas makes sure to lament about how wrong the Romans were in believing the traitor. This stranger, Sinon, lies about his allegiance to Greece and blames Ulysses for his troubles.  Sinon tells of how they only way the Greek's believed they could sail away from this land was to sacrifice a Greek man. His depressing tale ultimately blindsides the Romans. The tale spun by Sinon climaxes when he prays for acceptance in his betrayal of information to the enemy. He says that the Greeks believe that Athena opposes them and the only way for these men to revitalize their strategy is by going home and re-grouping. The horse was made as a "sacrifice" to Athena to help them return safely home. The size of the horse was to hinder the Romans ability to move it into their city. It was believed that if moved the Romans would be looked upon with delight. Sinon does a magnificent job spinning his tale. The linchpin

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occurs when Laocoon is killed by two serpents after they killed his young sons. This is seen as a bad omen, and the Romans believe in the power of this wooden creature. The Romans gladly wheel it into the city, while the Greeks wait inside ready to attack. When the city is overtaken by slumber Sinon opens the horse. Aeneas dreams of seeing an old friend, Prince Hector who warns Aeneas of the slaughter. After seeing the massacre taking place Aeneas calls on his men to defend the city, even with Panthus' plea that their is no hope for the city. These men go into the heart of the battle and catch a Greek, Androgeos, off guard. Having believed their were no Roman warriors around Androgeos gloats about plundering the city. After slaughtering Greek soldiers, Coroebus recommends putting on Greek insignia in order to confuse the enemy warriors. This works for a time but when Romans come to defend their city they kill anyone in Greek regalia. In turn many of Aeneas' men were killed at the hand of comrades. Aeneas escapes through a secret passage that leads to a high vantage point that gives the warrior the ability to see his city under ruin. The Greeks are able to take out the Roman defenses and the men, believed to have journeyed home, ambush the beloved city. Aeneas sees King Priam killed and is reminded of his father and son. The warrior becomes enraged at the sight of Helen because she will be able to return to her home and family. Having been the whole reason this war began, Aeneas resolves to kill the woman. Venus, Aeneas' mother, calms him down by reminding him of his family. She explains that this war is not the fault of any human but that of the gods. Aeneas' eyes are opened to his arrogance. He rushes to save his family from destruction. When trying to gather the people he loves, his father refuses to run away from the city he lived in all these years. Aeneas, Creusa, and Ascanius all try to convince the old man to join them. He sticks to his resolve and Aeneas concludes that he will stay as well. Aeneas prepares himself to join the fighting while Creusa, his wife, begs him to either take herself and Ascanius along so they can die together or defend his home from danger. While the two hold Ascanius in their arms the young child is touched by an omen. A "tongue of fire" appears on the boy's head without scathing him. Father Anchises ask for another sign from the gods and thunder crashes while a shooting star with a flaming tale crosses over the

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 night sky. The father is convinced that he needs to evacuate and prepares to leave. Aeneas carries his father while Ascanius walks by his side. Creusa is instructed to follow at a distance. The three males make it to the rendezvous but Creusa is no where to be found. Aeneas retraces his steps in order to find his wife. He discovers his wife close to death while she prophecies his fate. Aeneas then rejoins his family at the rendezvous and discovers more Romans have accumulated as they wait for the warrior to lead them onward.
    Book Three starts with Aeneas continuing his story about his journey to Queen Dido. To get away from Troy the men build boats not knowing where they will end up. Aeneas make offers to the gods and wants to build a canopy for the alter. When he begins to tear off shoots from a plant blood begin to pour out. This alarms Aeneas but he tries twice more. On the third try a cry comes from the mound. Polydorus, one of Aeneas' comrades was buried under the plant and warns Aeneas to leave the land quickly. Aeneas ask the Trojan captains, most importantly his father, what they believe about this omen. They agree with Polydorus and tell the men to get ready to sail with the south wind.  Before they flee the people give Polydorus a proper burial. After this event a gentle south wind appears at the break of dawn. They prepare to sail and go by many lands. They arrive at Apollo's city and are welcomed by King Anius. Aeneas cries out to Apollo to tell him where they should settle. Apollo responds with a tremendous tremble that send the people to take refuge on the ground. A loud voice says, "search for your ancient mother. There your house, / ...will rule all parts of the world" (117). With the description being quite vague, confusion takes over the people. Anchises deciphers that the city as being Crete. It is known that rumors were going around about a Cretan prince who had deserted the land leaving it open for the taking. The people set sail and quickly land in Crete. Aeneas names the town Pergamum and begins to build the city. This land was not meant to be and a plague rapidly takes hold of the population. Aeneas looks for answers. While sleeping Aeneas sees the sacred images he saved from Troy come to life and speak with the voices of the gods. They tell him to journey to Italy as that is his destiny. Aeneas relays this information to Anchises after praying and presenting libations to the gods. The father sees the fault in his depiction and the people leave Crete. They are hit by a The Odyssey. After taking heed of this man’s tale, the warriors barely escape the wrath of the blinded Cyclops. The men travel further on and pass many more beaches and finally stop at Drepanum port. A depressing end comes to Aeneas when his father dies in this place. Aeneas is disheartened by the fact that no one was able to prophecy that death. The book closes with Aeneas finishing his story at this point.

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massive storm and end up landing on the shores of Strophades; a land inhabited by Celano and the Harpies. These Harpies are birdlike monsters. After making port all the men see are the plains full of livestock. They begin to kill some animals in order to feast. At the beginning of the feast the men are interrupted by an attack from the Harpies. These monsters attack a second time. On the third attack Aeneas and his men try to fight back. Celano, prophet of doom, tells Aeneas the only peace they will ever find is in Italy. Anchises cries out to the Great Powers for wisdom. They sail away from Strophades just so they can pass by many more lands including Ithaca. They finally make port at Actium and are glad to be on solid ground. They continue on to Apollo's shrine at Leucata and make offerings. They continue on to Buthrotum. Aeneas hears Helenus and Andromache have become king and queen of the Greek city. This surprises Aeneas, because the last time he saw the couple they were being taken by Pyrrhus as a war prize. He seeks out the couple in order to rekindle their friendship. Andromache is found on the outskirts of town. She want to know the whereabouts of Ascanius and what brought them to this land. Helenus finds Aeneas with Andromache and invites the men into town. The city overwhelms Aeneas because it was created to look like a Roman city. Aeneas tells Helenus of his encounters with Celano and ask for wisdom on the matter. Helenus performs sacrifices and then prays for wisdom. He informs Aeneas that he can only tell the warrior so much of his fate. He starts by stating the Italy is a distance away. Then Andromache warns Aeneas that he must go the long way around Sicily in order to avoid Charybdis and Scylla. Aeneas is then reminded that he must always revere Juno's power and win her over with gifts to match his vows. Virgil is able to use foreshadowing to give the reader a better understanding of the text. Aeneas is told that he will meet a prophetess who will tell him of the struggles that he will face once at Italy. The men prepare to set sail and are given gifts for their travels. After setting sail they land on the Cyclops coast. They are met by a Greek sailor who landed on the port with the Ulysses. The stranger tells his story seen in The Odyssey. After taking heed of this man’s tale, the warriors barely escape the wrath of the blinded Cyclops. The men travel further on and pass many more beaches and finally stop at the Drepanum port. A depressing end comes to Aeneas when his father dies in this place. Aeneas is disheartened by the fact that no one was able to prophecy that death. The book closes with Aeneas ending his tale at the point.

Note: Robert Fagles' translation was used for reference.