In Chapter 37, you learned about the legacy of the Roman
Empire. Although the Roman Empire ended more than 1,500
years ago, the Romans greatly influenced many areas of
our lives. In addition to art, architecture, engineering,
language, philosophy, and law, Romans also made lasting
contributions in literature.
The
Aeneid is a well-known epic poem written by Virgil
during the reign of Augustus Caesar. Its hero, Aeneas,
escapes Troy after its defeat and ends up in Latium (part
of Italy). According to Virgil, it is his descendants that
eventually built Rome.
Below is an excerpt from the
Aeneid. In it, Aeneas’s
mother, the goddess Venus, brings gifts from the gods to
her son. On these items are engravings of Latium’s
past and its future. As you read, think about this question:
What has been predicted for the land of Latium?
And he, his eyes glistening, looked
at the god’s
gift and was overjoyed. He feasted his sight on each
piece in turn, turning it this and that way in his hands and
feeling it lovingly—the huge brazen [bold] breastplate,
the well-polished greaves [leg guards] of gold and silver,
the flaming helmet with proud plumes waving from its
crest, the keen [sharp] steel sword and, last of all,
the immense
shield with all the history of Italy embossed [imprinted]
upon its blazing face. Not only stories of the past were
there engraved, but the god, with prophetic vision, had
caused his workmen to hammer out scenes far in the future.
There were shown the twin boys, Romulus and Remus… the
high walls and towers of Rome yet unborn… Romulus
waging war… the descendants of Aeneas fighting
valiantly [bravely] for freedom, the silver geese waddling
through
the streets cackling a warning that the Gauls were at
the gates, and the barbarians themselves, crouching in
the
dark thickets [grasses], ready to storm the walls.
Investigating Literature
Virgil wrote the Aeneid during
a time when Rome had been torn apart by civil war. He wanted
to remind the Romans of the great achievements they had made.
He hoped his poem would inspire people to feel more patriotic
and proud of their history. Consider this idea by answering
these questions:
|
| • |
What things are described
in the Aeneid that should make Romans feel proud? List at least
three. |
| • |
What things about your own
country make you feel proud? List at least three. |
| • |
Compare your two lists. What is similar
between them? What is different? Explain your answer. |
History Alive! The Ancient World, Investigating Literature
