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Introduction
In the Aeneid, Virgil depicts the culture of ancient Rome, notably the notions and values of honor, known as pietas, which the ancient Romans valued highly. Virgil expands on this pietas code through the character of Aeneas and his interactions with people and the world. He accomplishes this by using his epic poem and Aeneas to clarify the proper and incorrect ways to practice pietas. Devotion to ones family, veneration for the gods, responsibility to ones people or country, or fulfillment of ones obligations are all examples of fidelity in the Aeneid. As a result, these were the values that the Romans, or at least Virgil, believed in; a Roman citizen who adhered to them to the letter was seen as the model Roman citizen. During the period known as the Golden Age of the Roman Empire, Virgil, under the patronage of Caesar Augustus, Romes first emperor, composed the epic poem known as the Aeneid. This study paper intends to examine the Aeneid in great detail to determine the reasons that made it attractive to Christians and the qualities that made it the favorite work within the Roman Christian community.
Factors that Made Aeneid appealing to Christians
The Aeneid is an enthralling narrative in which themes such as triumph and defeat, love and loss, conflict and peace, and fate and human agency are intricately woven to entertain, educate, and stir the readers emotions. This epic is not just one for ancient Romans; it is one for all times and all peoples because the life and aspirations of Aeneas, the Trojan exile who became the founder of the Latin people, speak to the soul. Even though it is a story from pagan mythology, the epic has much significance for Catholics (Virgile et al. 225). The poet Virgils insights into the human condition and fate provided pagans with a lens through which they could see how the God of Israel would reveal Himself through Jesus Christ.
Out of respect for the gods, ones fate must be achieved, as Virgil says, in spite of all Aeneas obeys the gods commands (4.499). These insights earned Virgil the honor of being called an anima naturality Christiana by the eminent critic and writer Theodor Haecker in the previous century. The Aeneid was beloved by its audience because it told a story central to their culture. It paid tribute to the ideas and history that bound together European and Christian cultures to establish the Empires they eventually created.
The authors discussion of family life and the importance of tradition is another facet of the work that makes it appealing to Roman Christians, particularly Roman Catholics. Aeneas is a figure that represents change because he is the one who takes the history and legacy of Troy with him as he embarks on his journey to realize his destiny of founding the Latin race (Virgile et al. 97). Aeneas drives this point home in a dramatic scene that has been represented countless times in art and sculpture as he flees the burning city of Troy, carrying his father Anchises on his back while also holding the hand of his young son Ascanius. come, dear father, climb up onto my shoulders! / I will carry you on my back. This labor of love / will never wear me down (2.880-882).
Virgils message is unmistakable: the Rome of the present is built upon the Troy of the past, and the two can never be separated. Similarly, for Catholics, the Church of today is founded not only on the deposit of faith but also on the heroic saints of the past and the practices of the faithful that have been passed down through tradition.
Love is the purest and most profound expression of human will, and the loss of love is the most heartbreaking thing that a person can go through. The Aeneid is full of both, but the most well-known is the heartbreaking romance and subsequent breakup of Dido and Aeneas, which has been the subject of countless genres and other forms of artistic expression over several centuries (Virgile et al.229). The death of Aeneas first wife, Creusa, the passing of Aeneas father, and the subsequent competition for the hand of Lavinia, daughter of King Latinus, in marriage are less well known but are just as poignant. Romance is always popular, but the loves explored in The Aeneid go much deeper than the surface level; instead, they get to the heart of what it means to be a human being.
The significance of religion in modern society is brought to light by the artwork. Virgils patron was none other than Emperor Augustus, who asked Virgil to use his narrative to inspire a religious renaissance among Roman pagans. Virgils work is regarded as one of the greatest works of classical literature. It was not enough for Aeneas mission to establish a city; he was also tasked with bringing the gods of Troy with him and enshrining them within the citys walls (Virgile et al. 103). One thousand years later, Peter and Paul would bring the God who is Jesus Christ, to this very city, and Rome would once again become the seat of an unconquerable spiritual empire because of their efforts. A civilization that continues without religion will eventually become hollow and moribund; this is a lesson that the secular world remembers from its founding. It is a lesson that has been repeated throughout history. As a result, Christians find The Aeneid appealing because it provides a foundation for spiritual living.
Aeneas is portrayed as a flawed hero; Christians, especially Catholics, love their saints. However, they harbor special awe of those who, like Saints Paul, Augustine, and Francis, rejected a wayward life for one dedicated entirely to God. Aeneas is portrayed as a flawed hero. Aeneas is not a saint, but he is a sympathetic figure who resembles Saint Peter in many ways: the exile from Troy can be cowardly at times, courageous at other times, impulsive at other times, sensible at other times, choleric at other times, loyal at other times, aggressive at other times, and loving at other times (Virgile et al. 167). Aeneas is referred to as Pius by Virgil, who describes him as a man who is devoted to his gods, his people, and his family. If there is one virtue that the modern world desperately needs, it is the Roman pietas that Aeneas personified.
Roman Values or artistic Qualities that Made the Aeneid a Perennial Favorite
The Roman ideals of fidelity to ones state, devotion to ones family, and reverence for the gods are all exemplified in the hero Aeneas, who does so on purpose. Virgil thought that the practice of these virtues would assist in ensuring Romes place in history. The importance of loyalty in Aeneass life cannot be overstated. The way he prioritizes his allegiances is the source of his mental anguish and the emotional turmoil he experiences (Virgile et al. 198). Aeneas causes strife within himself by making his allegiance to the gods a priority. He ranks his allegiance to the gods first, then his family, then his people, and only after that does he allow other allegiances to exist (Virgile et al. 220). Aeneas experiences the most anguish due to his piety, which manifests itself as fidelity to the gods wishes. This is a result of the direct conflicts that arise between his loyalty to Dido and his loyalty to the Gods.
Aeneas is devoted to the gods; however, because he is so devout, he finds it difficult to reconcile his relationship with Dido and the path his life will take with the gods will. This humorous aside illustrates that Aeneas needs to overcome his desire to follow enjoyable loyalties to honor and follow the gods. The idea that he must conceal his true feelings to leave Dido opens the possibility that Aeneas is internally conflicted but has decided to comply with what the Gods want. This characteristic is extremely important to contemporary Christians because devout Christ-followers know that, at the end of the day, only one love truly matters (Virgile et al. 321). Fidelity to and affection for Christ must take precedence. Because of this commitment, not only will their life be altered but also the lives of the people around them and the lives of future generations.
Family life in the roman Empire was defined by an intricate web of ties that extended much beyond what the institution is understood to be today. In the eyes of the Romans, piety may be expressed by, for example, treating ones parent with respect. In the Aeneid, the link between a father and his son receives more emphasis than any other kind of familial connection and possibly more than any other type of human connection. Many father-son pairs figure in the story, including Anchises and Aeneas, Aeneas and Ascanius, Mezentius and Laausus, and Evander and Pallas (Virgile et al. 256). One may argue that Aeneas and Pallas bond is a surrogate father-son one. By demonstrating to his kid how to be a responsible adult, he ensures that the traditions of the past will be carried forward into the future. Simultaneously, he is conserving the past and paying honor to the person who is responsible for his very existence.
The institution of the family, according to biblical teachings, is the major focus of Gods purpose for the fulfillment and development of his progeny. Family is important to Christians because it bears witness to the Lords unwavering love for the Church and all of humanity; family is a method of making present, in a concrete and day-to-day manner, the reciprocity and beauty of the love that marks Gods life. As a result, the value of dedication represented in the Aeneid reinforces biblical teachings about family, allowing Christians to relate to it on a personal level.
The character of Aeneas demonstrates qualities of leadership throughout the story. Aeneas can confidently carry out the duties of the patriotic leader of his people. When his people find a safe harbor on the coast of Libya in North Africa, he ensures that they have food to eat, and he also consoles and motivates them by reminding them of their destined country. He provides for his people. Aeneas spirit and leadership continue to exert influence over the warriors he commands even though he is not physically present in Pallenteum (Virgile et al. 313). Even when he is not around, his rule is adhered to. Aeneas, being a valiant warrior, does not ever let his feelings get in the way of his sense of duty.
As the leader of his people, Aeneas needs to engage in combat with Turnus in order to be able to build a new city for his people that they can call their own. Jesus teaches His disciples in Matthew 20:25-28 that leaders should not exercise authority over the people they are responsible for. Instead, anyone who aspires to greatness must humble themselves to the position of a servant. Leaders understand that the only way to lead with a clean heart, one free of conceit and arrogance, is to serve others. Therefore, even though Polydorus recommends that Aeneas leave Thrace, he first discusses the matter with the other leaders of the people before making a choice; he does not misuse his influence. It is because of these Roman principles and traits depicted by Aeneas in the epic that is considered to be a favorite of the majority of Christians today.
Conclusion
Pursuing honor and glory is a complex and arduous endeavor in both the Bible and Virgils The Aeneid. This endeavor is not without its share of significant repercussions and challenges. Although both Jesus and Aeneas, with the help of divine intervention, work toward accomplishing a specific objective and triumph over specific challenges, their fundamental motivations and the results of their efforts are strikingly dissimilar. This is not the case in The Aeneid, even though neither Jesus nor Aeneas would be driven by personal fame or glory as they were sent on holy missions. When teaching others about the Kingdom of God and how they should spend their lives, Jesus is entirely unselfish in his actions. In contrast, Aeneas is laboring to achieve grandeur for his ancestors because the gods sent him to settle and save the society.
Work Cited
Virgile, Publius, et al. The Aeneid. Yale University Press, 2021.
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