The Work of The Aeneid by Virgil - Essay Example

?Introduction The work of “The Aeneid” by Virgil was not only based on telling an epic and being a component of displaying the historical relevance to Greece. There were also associations with the current time and the relationship to how history was made at this time. One of the perspectives taken by Virgil was based on the political ideologies which were present during this time, including the status of the ruler Augustus. “The Aeneid” works as propaganda for Augustus as a political leader during this time. The pro – Augustan work is seen through the themes, arguments and scenes that are a part of the epic poem, all which reference Augustus as one who should have political power for the time. Associations with Augustus The associations with Augustus in the work of “The Aeneid” are first seen through the direct quotes that describe the political scene of the time and how Augustus was meant to be a powerful leader. Virgil states this by associating Augustus with the line of Caesar while showing how this automatically leads to him being an exalted leader. He states “Caesar himself, exalted in his line; / Augustus promis’d oft, and long foretold, / Sent to the realm that Saturn rul’d of old; / Born to restore a better age of gold, Africa and India shall his pow’r obey; / He shall extend his propagated sway / Beyond the solar year, without the starry way” (Virgil, 192). The direct reference in this quote shows Augustus as the promised leader, not only for Greece, but also as ordained with the time, planets and alignment of the stars. This creates a belief system from the direct reference to the leader, showing him as a natural leader that was meant to rule over other countries and to become one of the most powerful and influential individuals of the time. Actions throughout the Aeneid The direct reference pointed out with “The Aeneid” is followed by specific actions and situations that show the same political propaganda. The first six books of the journey are written as a part of the Underworld in which all men are in. The hellish state is one which becomes symbolic of how life has been to this point in the ancient city. In book 6, there is a specific shift that leads to the belief that the situation will be overcome. The actions which follow after the journey lead to the Trojan War and the victory of the land. The beginning of this is when Aeneas is given the golden bough and is told to leave the underworld. The propaganda is based on Aeneas leading the city out of a state of hell and into a sense of life giving and an end to human suffering. The references of these actions throughout the plot line are known to relate directly to the celebration of the new political leadership of the time as well as the overthrow of the old government and the desire to have Augustus in power to overcome the darker ages of the city (Minson, 48). There are several moments which point to the happiness of the city and what can be after changes occur. More important, the author points to the ideals of victory which he believes are most important to the bringing in of Augustus as a leader. The main association is with the Trojan War and how this led to the rightful place of the city mentioned. Virgil refers to this with the past state and how the time was better because of the triumph and the alterations in leadership which occurred. He states “Relate what Latium was; her ancient kings! / Declare the past and state of things, When first the Trojan fleet Ausonia sought, / And how the rivals lov’d, and how they fought. / These are my theme, and how the war began / And how concluded by the godlike man” (Virgil, 198). The recounting of the Trojan war then leads to an understanding that this was led first by politicians and was followed by those who moved according to the strategies desired by the land. The propaganda of the war then leads to one referencing the Augustan leadership while showing that this was the main reason why the victory occurred among the land. Themes of Politics The actions which take place throughout the “Aeneid,” specifically with the recounting of the war, are further developed into political propaganda with the themes and prose used throughout the book. The first theme which is noted as a part of the pro – Augustan approach is with the ideology of belief and religion which was a part of the epic poem. There are several points where Virgil shows that the victory of the war and the movement into the political leadership was designated by the heavens and stars. He also convinces the reader through the first six books that before this time, everyone was living in the Underworld. The theme of religion also relates to the ideal of belief, myth and the deeper systems of society that show the Augustus was the best and only possible leader for the time to lead the city out of misery and into complete power (Nadeau, 327). The theme of creating belief and showing how this relates to the concept of politics is seen with the beliefs of the politicians throughout the story and the association which this had with the present day and the link to the Augustan politics. The politicians become a representation of the time frame and the ability to overcome and bring peace to the land. The same propaganda links to the role of Augustus and the belief that was held by society about his status. “Then to his head his glitt’ring helm he tied, / And grit his faithful fauchion to his side. / In his Aetnaean forge, the God of Fire / That fauchion labor’d for the hero’s sire; / Immortal keenness on the blade bestow’d / And plung’d it hissing in the Stygian flood” (379). This particular quote is one of several which gives a situation and through the words and theme relates the ideal of politics to that of belief. The God of Fire combines with the shield used while he becomes immortal through the blade. These references of linking politics to belief coincide with what Virgil believed about Augustus and the relationship to religion for his political leadership. The message which is given from Virgil moves further than the religion and belief and creates a sense of culture through the themes and the poetry which is displayed. The cultural and social development in society was one which believed that the political leaders and other individuals were able to create an independent identity. This was combined with values that were based on the power in which each individual held and which continued to exist through time. The acknowledgement of coming back into different time frames and using the same power became one of the main ideals in society and led many to believe that a social status was held within an individual because of the sense of reincarnation that was a part of the time frame (Hardie, 49). The concept of reincarnation and the ability for an individual to hold a sense of power is one which is seen throughout Virgil’s work and is displayed through the themes as well as the description taken throughout the poem. There is many times where the politician and leader are referred to as “godlike,” which implies that there is an existence through time. Each time this individual comes to the land, the city is able to gain power. This is combined with the epic; however, there is also a direct reference to how this is based on the ordained position of Augustus (192). The political leadership is based on the ideology that the epic is also a reflection of what has currently occurred in the city and which Augustus helped the people to overcome. The epic poem is then meant to reflect the ideology and culture of the time in which Virgil’s work was written, which is specific to the concept of reincarnation and having the same power as the heroes of the poem in overcoming and triumphing with the land. Not only is this referred to with the battles, but poetic lines also show a link to going back to the same myth of ancient times to retrieve how to overcome and build a stronger city. “Undaunted youths, go, seek that mother earth / From which your ancestors derive their birth. / The soil that sent you forth, her ancient race / In her old bosom shall again embrace” (Virgil, 72-73). Virgil shows, from this statement, how the concept of the ancient myth then leads to the same embrace and story in the current time. The heroes who take over in the poem then relate directly to the belief that Augustus is the same man with the same powers as before. This main ideal then leads to the understanding that the political leadership is based on the positive belief in Augustus’ current political status. Works Cited Hardie, Philip. “Augustan Culture: An Interpretive Introduction.” Gnomon 72 (1), 2000. Minson, Rowan. “A Century of Extremes: Debunking the Myth of Harvard School Pessimism: a Reinterpretation of Twentieth Century Criticism of Virgil’s Aeneid.” Iris: Journal of the Classical Association of Victoria (16), 2003. Nadeau, Y. “Safe and Subsidized: Virgil and Horace Sing Augustus.” The Classical Review (57), 2007, pg. 394-396. Virgil. The Aeneid. Filigurian Publishing: New York, 2007. Read More