Legends on the Founding of Rome and Greek Myths - Essay Example

Name: Tutor: Title: Myth in the Ancient World Institution: Date: Legends on the founding of Rome and Greek myths Introduction Aeneid as described by Virgil was a wander in ancient Rome way before it was formed so that he became the father of the Romans as he was their very first hero. Virgil compiled literary texts that incorporated the deeds of the father of Romans so that modern day readers who are interested in Roman literature can obtain crucial details of ancient Rome form the texts. Livy was also an early Roman author whose major interest was on the actions of heroes who founded Rome. Livy’s work was composed of more than one hero as compared to Virgil’s book which had only a single hero. The Greek myths on the other hand refer to a large number of heroes, gods amongst goddesses who took part in the Greek civilization. Therefore, the books on Roman legends, as well as, Greek myths all present a glimpse into activities that were performed by heroes in the ancient times. This research paper will look into the similarities and differences between the heroes of the two authors and the Greek mythologies. Discussion Similarities between Virgil’s legends, Livy’s legends and the Greek myths The legends that are the main characters in the Greek myths and the Virgil/Livy’s works all bring out a comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the history of the world. For instance the Greek myths provide a chronological development of ancient Greece, as well as, the text by Livy which shows how Rome was founded. In addition to the history of Rome, the literature also portrays the heroic deeds which were exhibited by the heroes as they conquered other nations who had invaded ancient Rome (Virgil, 2007). A major similarity of the legends in each of these literary texts is connection with supernatural powers of the ancient gods. The heroes in the Greek myths, as well as, the legend Aeneid are all connected to the gods who existed during those times. For instance Prometheus was the goddess’s blood in his body while Aeneid was the son of a goddess hence their ability to undertake heroic activities could have been boosted by the presence of godly blood. This characteristic portrays the already develop myth during the ancient times that there was frequent, as well as, direct relationships between heroes and gods who accorded the extreme strength to the heroes as they founded Rome (Burn, 1990). This phenomenon of mortals being strengthened with supernatural powers before engaging in any heroic activity is also present in today’s world. Soldiers going to war or those seeking to engage in heroic activities often seek divine intervention before embarking on such tasks. Consequently, individuals who seek divine help or those who solicit for the presence of supreme beings in their activities always succeed and sue to their exemplar performances; they are regarded as heroes or heroines (Livius & Seeley, 1881). However, modern day interactions between the Supreme Being and mortals are not physical or direct as was the case in ancient Rome. It is for this reason that Christians regard myths in any form as lies which are baseless while laying much emphasis on the need to seek divine intervention at all times. Consequently, this ideology regarding the frequent encounters between the legends and the gods shows that these gods used the mortals to achieve any goals they had laid out for man. This is replicated in modern day life where man is an object through which heroic actions are accomplished hence saving mankind plenty of worries (Cartledge, 2002). The other similarity portrayed by the three literatures is that events which were recorded by the authors had taken place long before the birth of the authors. Therefore, none of the authors had a first hand experience on the real events which took place but rather they relied on manuscripts that had been prepared by writers who were alive at the time when Rome was been founded. Consequently, secondary sources were used to gather enough information that was used to develop the legends. It is for this reason that modern scholarly articles tend to dispute the accuracy of details regarding heroes who founded Rome. This is because of the errors which could have been made at the time when information regarding the legends was being recorded (Cartledge, 2002). The legends in all three texts were focused on obtaining the common good of all ancient Romans through incorporation of good deeds by everyone. This is illustrated by Aeneid who re-introduced moral values among the ancient Romans after the people had lived for a very long period of time without any consideration of good morals. In the Greek Myths, Demeter who is a vivid legend and a god taught mortals the art of agriculture which they applied to alleviate drought, as well as, starvation (Burn, 1990). The moral values re-introduced by Aeneid contributed towards the wellbeing of the ancient Romans as they were able to please the gods by undertaking activities that pleased them. On the other hand, Demeter’s outstanding lessons on agriculture and farming ensured that the ancient Romans had a constant supply of food which was otherwise necessary especially when the legends were going to war. Consequently, some of the morally upright activities ensured that the Romans were not only self-sufficient but also hardworking hence they never had to rely on help from outside the Roman Empire (Virgil, 2007). The three literature texts also share in presenting conflicts between mortals and gods as normal at each and every stage of founding Rome. Aeneid was tangled in endless conflicts with his mother, as well as, with the gods such as Juno that existed during his time. Consequently, conflicts are showcased by the Greek myths where the god’s cult is portrayed as being in conflict with each other. For instance, at some point Prometheus steals fire from the gods which annoys the gods very much as fire was a reserve for gods only. However, the conflicts demonstrated by the three texts show that the legends had to fight or be involved in conflicts with the gods as some of the activities they took part in were against the wishes of the gods (Burn, 1990). The other similarity among the legends of Virgil, Livy and the Greek myths is exhibited by the territory or regions that were frequented by the heroes. Other than Rome which was the center of all activities that involved conquering or invasion Italy was an equally focal point as in demonstrated by two different legends. Aeneid’s used Italy as his region of legendary because it is in this region that he made plans to establish the Roman Empire. On the other hand Heracles, a roman god who was worshipped for his charm in luck amongst traders had his base in Italy. Heracles enabled many traders and merchants to gain prosperity in their business transactions hence he became the hero for business people (Virgil, 2007). The legends in Virgil, Livy’s and Greek myths texts are widely used on pieces of art, as well as, being incorporated as structures in Rome’s history. This way, individuals who were not borne by the time the legends were living are able to develop mental images based on the pictorial presentations of legends in ancient Roman pieces of art. These decorations with the legends portraits have made it easier to remember the legends though they are long gone. Some of the decorations have vivid illustrations of some of the activities or major events during the legends lifetime (Woodward, 2007). Differences between legends as portrayed by Virgil, Livy and the Greek myths One of the differences between the legends as portrayed by Livy, Virgil and the Greek myths is that while Livy’s and Virgil’s legends worked alone to found Rome, the Greek myths combines a huge number of legends who worked together to achieve a common goal. However, the combined efforts of all the legends led to establishment, as well as, development of Rome as an empire. Similarly, these legends had their own unique interactions with the gods at their own given time during the ancient Roman era. While in the Greek myths, the legends were always in constant contact with the gods, Livy’s and Virgil’s legends maintained minimal interactions (Cartledge, 2002). The era of gods in the Greek myths exhibits plenty of immoral deeds which lead to harm among mortals, as well as, among the gods. Hence legends in the Greek Myths are always on the lookout for such evil deeds by gods and avoid them as much as possible (Burn, 1990). However, in Virgil and Livy’s legends there are no ugly incidences that could harm mortals. The legends in these two texts are engulfed by goodwill of the gods hence the chances of excelling are higher fear for their lives is alienated from their vicinity (Livius, 1881). The other difference on legends in the three texts is that while some of the legends by Livy and Virgil were alive at the time when the authors were writing the books, the legends in Greek myths had long passed on by the time the information was being published. Consequently, most of the information contained in the Greek mythologies is derived from secondary sources while information regarding legends by Virgil and Livy was primarily obtained, as well as, compiled. This has led to more readers paying close attention to the legends as portrayed by Virgil and Livy while those in the Greek myths are regarded as ‘myths’ which can be either true or false (Virgil, 2007). This is further exemplified by the fact that Virgil’s legend; Aeneid represents and echoes the dreams of the ruler at that particular time named Augustus. This showcases Virgil’s creativity in trying to mould Aeneid to fit into the profile of Augustus in the text. However, in the Greek myths, no legend has any connection with rulers who were present in Rome at the time when the text was being written. Hence disconnect is evident between the Greek myth’s legends and rulers who existed at the time unlike in the other two texts where connection is evident (Virgil, 2007). The other difference is illustrated by the activities of legends in the three literary texts. For instance, the Greek mythologies tend to describe the origins of heroes and gods in the ancient Roman history. Consequently, Livy and Virgil do not heed much attention towards the emergence of their legends or the gods they interacted with at that time. This makes it easier to establish development of legends in the Greek myths unlike in the other two texts where the reader is at times left guessing attributes such as the detailed origin of the legends. Therefore, the Greek myths present a comprehensive picture of the legends without any missing links which would otherwise be relevant in determining the source of heroism (Woodward, 2007). Virgil’s legend possesses some unnatural traits such as reincarnation where he reappears from the underworld where possibly he could have died and gone. The legend is also characterized by other out of the world scenes such as presence of ghosts after his reappearance from the world of ghosts. On the other hand, the Greek myths do not exhibit such events involving the legends visiting the underworld. Hence it is apparent that legends in the three texts possessed unique traits that differentiated the legends amongst themselves (Burn, 1990). Conclusion In conclusion, it is apparent that there are numerous similarities among the legends illustrated by Virgil and Livy in their literary texts describing legends that helped in the development of the Roman Empire. These legends share plenty of characteristics with the Greek myths which are also relevant in describing the emergence of the Roman Empire. Interactions with the gods are among the similarities while differences lie in the nature of behavior portrayed by the legends. Some of the legends have developed mutual associations with gods hence siring children with them as a way of ensuring that the lineage of heroes is maintained at all times. However, in as much as ancient texts such as these ones by Virgil and Livy portray substantial evidence as to the nature of legends that existed at that time, as well as, their heroic deeds, modern literature carries no proof of such events. The modern Christianity for instance disputes any of the events by branding them fables which are baseless lies. Consequently, modern literature does not heed much attention to the Roman legends that established, as well as, founded the Roman Empire. This is attributed to the fact that the legends were involved in practices that are not recognized by Christians for instance siring children with the gods. Bibliography Burn, L., 1990, Greek Myths. University of Texas Press. Cartledge, P. A., 2002, "Inventing the Past: History v. Myth". The Greeks. Oxford university press. Livius, T. & Seeley, J. R. (1881). Livy, Book 1. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Virgil, A., 2007, The Aeneid, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Woodward, R. D. (2007). The Cambridge companion to Greek mythology. Cambridge university press. Read More