Virgil's Aeneid: An Imperial Epic Commissioned by Augustus to Shape Roman Identity
The Aeneid, an epic poem by Virgil written between 29 and 19 BCE, was commissioned by Emperor Augustus to serve as a foundational narrative for the emerging Roman Empire. The work presents Aeneas, a Trojan prince, as the ancestor of the Romans, legitimizing Rome's imperial destiny and Augustus's rule. It emphasizes Roman virtues like pietas (duty) and the acceptance of divine fate, while consolidating a specific origin story that connected Augustus to both Aeneas and Romulus. The poem became a cornerstone of Western literature, influencing works from Beowulf to Paradise Lost, and helped establish a cultural narrative that endured for centuries.
Key facts
- The Aeneid was composed by Virgil from 29 to 19 BCE under the patronage of Emperor Augustus.
- It functions as a Roman national epic, positioning Aeneas as the forefather of the Roman people.
- The poem promotes Roman ideological concepts such as pietas and the acceptance of divine destiny.
- Virgil's narrative reconciled chronological issues in Rome's foundation myths, linking Augustus to both Aeneas and Romulus.
- The Aeneid's influence extended widely, affecting later literature including Beowulf, The Divine Comedy, and Paradise Lost.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Walters Art Museum, Maryland
- Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Locations
- Rome
- Italy