Purpose of the Aeneid

to write a myth of Rome's origins to emphasise the grandeur + legitimise the success of an empire that had already conquered most of the known world
Aeneid points towards this already realised cultural pinnacle
1. works backwards
2. shows former as being historically derived from the latter
Aeneas justifies his settlement in Latium in the same way that the empire justified its settlement in numerous other foreign territories
connects political + social situation of his day with the inherited tradition of Greek gods + heroes
order + good government triumph emphatically over the latin people
Italian world prior to the Trojans arrival is characterised as a primative existence of war, chaos + emotional irrationality
empire under Augustus contrasts: generally a world of peace, order and emotional stability

Resource summary

	Created by Marta Cortada about 8 years ago