The Aeneid, written by the Roman poet Virgil, is an epic poem that tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who travels to Italy and becomes the ancestor of the Roman people. Through the character of Aeneas, Virgil portrays the glory of Roman civilization by connecting the past, present, and future of Rome. In this essay, we will explore how Virgil accomplishes this through his use of language, imagery, and themes in the Aeneid.
One of the ways in which Virgil connects the past, present, and future of Rome is through his portrayal of Aeneas as a hero who embodies the virtues of the Roman people. Aeneas is depicted as a brave and noble warrior who is devoted to his duty and his people. In Book 2 of the Aeneid, Aeneas is described as "a man of great piety, a man of great courage, a man of great virtue" (2.1). This description highlights Aeneas's qualities as a hero and a leader, qualities that were highly valued in Roman society.
Virgil also connects the past, present, and future of Rome through his use of imagery and symbolism in the Aeneid. One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the image of the Trojan horse, which represents both the destruction of Troy and the foundation of Rome. The Trojan horse is a reminder of the past glory of Troy, as well as a foreshadowing of the future greatness of Rome. In Book 2, Aeneas sees the burning ruins of Troy and is filled with sorrow and despair, but he is also inspired to build a new city in Italy that will surpass Troy in glory (2.1).
Another important symbol in the Aeneid is the golden bough, which represents the connection between the past, present, and future of Rome. In Book 6, Aeneas is instructed by the Sibyl to find a golden bough in the underworld in order to gain entrance to the realm of the dead. The golden bough is a symbol of Aeneas's destiny and his connection to the gods, as well as a symbol of the eternal glory of Rome. Aeneas's quest for the golden bough is a metaphor for the journey of the Roman people from their humble beginnings to their future greatness.
Virgil also connects the past, present, and future of Rome through his exploration of themes such as fate, duty, and the relationship between gods and mortals. In the Aeneid, Aeneas is portrayed as a hero who is guided by his sense of duty and his belief in his destiny. Aeneas's fate is to found a new city in Italy and become the ancestor of the Roman people, and he is willing to sacrifice everything to fulfill this destiny. In Book 4, Aeneas is torn between his love for Dido and his duty to his people, but ultimately he chooses duty over personal happiness (4.1).
The relationship between gods and mortals is another important theme in the Aeneid, as Virgil explores the ways in which the gods intervene in the lives of mortals and shape their destinies. The gods play a central role in Aeneas's journey, guiding him and protecting him as he travels from Troy to Italy. In Book 1, Venus appears to Aeneas in the guise of a mortal woman and tells him of his destiny to found a new city in Italy (1.1). Throughout the poem, the gods continue to intervene in Aeneas's life, helping him and hindering him as he struggles to fulfill his destiny.
In conclusion, Virgil portrays the glory of Roman civilization in the Aeneid by connecting the past, present, and future of Rome through his portrayal of Aeneas as a hero who embodies the virtues of the Roman people, his use of imagery and symbolism, and his exploration of themes such as fate, duty, and the relationship between gods and mortals. Through these elements, Virgil creates a powerful and evocative portrait of Rome as a civilization that is rooted in its past, shaped by its present, and destined for greatness in the future.