Glossary
Aeneid, Book VIII
A crucial book in Vergil's epic poem, focusing on Aeneas's search for allies and the depiction of future Roman history and values.
Example:
Students often analyze Aeneid, Book VIII to understand how Vergil connects Aeneas's journey to the rise of Augustus and the Roman Empire.
Battle of Actium
A pivotal naval battle in 31 BCE, depicted prominently on Aeneas's shield, where Octavian (Augustus) defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra, leading to the Roman Empire.
Example:
The depiction of the Battle of Actium on the shield directly links Aeneas's epic journey to the contemporary political triumph of Augustus.
Capitoline Hill
One of Rome's seven hills, shown to Aeneas as the future site of the Temple of Jupiter, symbolizing Rome's religious and political center.
Example:
Evander's tour of the Capitoline Hill foreshadows the future grandeur of Rome's most important temple.
Cyclopes
One-eyed giants who serve as assistants to Vulcan in his forge, known for their immense strength and skill in crafting divine objects.
Example:
The Cyclopes are depicted tirelessly working in Vulcan's forge, hammering out powerful weapons for the gods and heroes.
Diomedes
A Greek hero from the Trojan War who settled in Italy; he refuses to aid Turnus against Aeneas, highlighting the Trojans' difficult position.
Example:
The refusal of Diomedes to join the war against Aeneas underscores the divine will guiding the Trojan hero's destiny.
Etruscans
An ancient people of central Italy, who become key allies for Aeneas against the Latins, having revolted against their former tyrant Mezentius.
Example:
The alliance with the Etruscans provides Aeneas with much-needed military strength and fulfills a prophecy about a foreign leader.
Fate, Destiny, Divine Intervention
Core themes in the Aeneid, emphasizing that Aeneas's journey and Rome's foundation are predetermined by the gods and an inescapable future.
Example:
The recurring motifs of fate, destiny, and divine intervention underscore that Aeneas is merely an instrument of a higher plan.
Golden Age under Saturn
A mythical period of peace and prosperity in Italy, ruled by the god Saturn, often invoked to idealize Rome's ancient past.
Example:
Evander's description of the Golden Age under Saturn paints a picture of Italy's idyllic past before the arrival of conflict.
Hercules and Cacus
A mythological story recounted by Evander, detailing Hercules's defeat of the monster Cacus, which sanctifies the site of the Aventine Hill.
Example:
The tale of Hercules and Cacus establishes a heroic precedent for the land, linking it to divine strength and justice.
King Evander
The aged king of Pallantium (future Rome) and an ally of Aeneas, who provides troops and introduces Aeneas to the future site of Rome.
Example:
King Evander welcomes Aeneas, forging a crucial alliance and offering a glimpse into Rome's humble beginnings.
Latium
The region in central Italy where Aeneas and the Trojans land, becoming the primary setting for the war against the native inhabitants.
Example:
The conflict in Latium forces Aeneas to seek new alliances, setting the stage for the epic battles to come.
Lupercal Cave
A cave on the Palatine Hill, shown to Aeneas by Evander, traditionally associated with the she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus.
Example:
The Lupercal Cave serves as a powerful symbol of Rome's mythical origins and the nurturing of its founders.
Mezentius
A tyrannical former king of the Etruscans who allies with Turnus against Aeneas, known for his cruelty and impiety.
Example:
The Etruscans' hatred for Mezentius makes them natural allies for Aeneas, as they seek to overthrow their former oppressor.
Octavian (Augustus)
The future first Roman Emperor, whose victory at Actium and establishment of the Roman Empire are glorified on Aeneas's shield, connecting the epic to Vergil's present.
Example:
The shield's focus on Octavian (Augustus) highlights Vergil's purpose in celebrating the new imperial order.
Pallantium
The small settlement ruled by King Evander, located on the future site of Rome, symbolizing the city's ancient, pre-Roman origins.
Example:
Aeneas's visit to Pallantium allows Vergil to foreshadow the future glory of Rome by showing its foundational sites.
Pallas
The son of King Evander, a young warrior entrusted to Aeneas's care, whose fate becomes a significant emotional point in the epic.
Example:
The bond between Aeneas and Pallas highlights themes of mentorship and the tragic cost of war.
Roman Identity and Destiny
The overarching concept in the Aeneid that defines the unique character and predetermined glorious future of the Roman people.
Example:
Book VIII is crucial for understanding how Vergil constructs the idea of Roman Identity and Destiny through historical and mythological narratives.
Sacredness of Rome
The concept that Rome's foundation and future glory are divinely ordained and protected, often emphasized through mythological and historical narratives.
Example:
Vergil uses stories like Hercules and Cacus to underscore the inherent sacredness of Rome and its destiny.
Shield of Aeneas
A magnificent, divinely crafted shield depicting scenes from future Roman history, from its mythical origins to the Battle of Actium and the rise of Augustus.
Example:
The Shield of Aeneas functions as a visual prophecy, showing the hero the glorious destiny of his descendants and the Roman people.
Symbolism
The use of objects, places, or characters to represent abstract ideas or concepts, such as the white sow symbolizing divine guidance or the shield representing Roman history.
Example:
The symbolism of the Lupercal Cave connects Rome's mythical past to its future greatness.
Tarchon
The founder and leader of the Etruscan League, who seeks a foreign leader to fulfill a prophecy and lead his people against Mezentius.
Example:
Tarchon's willingness to accept Aeneas as their leader demonstrates the Etruscans' desperation and their belief in prophecy.
Tiberinus
The river god of the Tiber River, who appears to Aeneas in a dream, offering crucial guidance and a divine sign.
Example:
The dream appearance of Tiberinus provides Aeneas with the specific instructions needed to find his destined allies.
Venus
The goddess of love and Aeneas's mother, who intervenes on his behalf by persuading her husband Vulcan to forge divine armor.
Example:
Venus's maternal love for Aeneas drives her to seek divine aid, ensuring his protection in battle.
Vulcan
The god of fire and metalworking, husband of Venus, who crafts magnificent, divinely imbued armor for Aeneas, including the famous shield.
Example:
Vulcan's workshop, aided by the Cyclopes, produces armor that is not only protective but also prophetic.
White Sow and Thirty Piglets
A divine sign given by Tiberinus to Aeneas, indicating the future site of Alba Longa and confirming the path to his ally, Evander.
Example:
Finding the white sow and thirty piglets reassures Aeneas that he is on the correct path, guided by the gods.