In Roman mythology, Aeneas stands as a bridge between the ancient Trojans and the future Romans. Born a prince of Troy and son of the goddess Aphrodite (or Venus in Roman mythology) and the mortal Anchises, Aeneas’ journey from the ruins of Troy to the shores of Italy is immortalized in Virgil’s Aeneid. His tale not only recounts his personal struggles but also embodies Rome’s values and destiny, establishing him as a foundational hero for Roman identity.
A Divine Birth
The story of Aeneas begins with his divine parentage. His mother, Aphrodite, was enchanted by Zeus to fall in love with the mortal Anchises, a Trojan prince. When Aphrodite appeared to Anchises on Mount Ida disguised as a mortal, their union led to the birth of Aeneas. In Greek mythology, this union is described in The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, where Aphrodite reassures Anchises that their child will be protected by the gods. Zeus’ reaction to their union, however, was less forgiving; upon discovering it, he attempted to strike Anchises with a thunderbolt, but Aphrodite intervened, sparing his life, albeit leaving him physically weakened.
Aeneas in the Iliad
Aeneas first appears in Homer’s Iliad, where he fights alongside the Trojans during the Trojan War. Though not as prominent as Achilles or Hector, Aeneas displays notable courage and skill in battle. In Iliad Book 5, he narrowly escapes death when he is gravely injured by Diomedes, only to be saved by his mother, Aphrodite. Later, in Book 20, he bravely faces Achilles but is saved by Poseidon, who foresees Aeneas’ greater destiny. These divine interventions foreshadow Aeneas’ role as a survivor destined to carry Trojan heritage forward.
The Aeneid and the Quest for a New Homeland
Written by Virgil in the first century BCE, the Aeneid narrates Aeneas’ journey from the fallen city of Troy to Italy, where he is fated to lay the foundation for the future Roman Empire. Modeled after Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad, the Aeneid opens with Aeneas fleeing Troy with his father, Anchises, his young son, Ascanius, and the Trojan survivors. His wife, Creusa, tragically dies during the escape, appearing later to Aeneas in a vision urging him to fulfill his destiny.
Aeneas’ journey is filled with trials, divine interventions, and personal sacrifices. Guided by prophecies, he travels through various lands, including Crete and Epirus, meeting other exiled Trojans along the way. After years of wandering, he lands in Carthage, where he meets Queen Dido. Venus, seeking to ensure her son’s safety, orchestrates a romance between Aeneas and Dido with the aid of Cupid. However, when Jupiter reminds Aeneas of his fate to establish Rome, he departs Carthage, leaving Dido heartbroken and vengeful. In her despair, Dido curses Aeneas, foreshadowing the centuries-long conflict between Carthage and Rome that would culminate in the Punic Wars.
Aeneas’ arrival in Italy brings him to Cumae, where he consults the Sibyl, a prophetess who guides him through the underworld. In this descent, he encounters the spirit of Dido, who rebukes him, and his father, Anchises, who reveals the future of Rome and the greatness of his descendants. This journey through the underworld serves as a rite of passage, reinforcing Aeneas’ role as a founder and forebear of the Roman people.
War in Latium
Upon reaching Latium, Aeneas faces resistance from local tribes and, most notably, from Turnus, a Latin prince betrothed to Lavinia, the daughter of King Latinus. Juno, still harboring resentment towards the Trojans, incites Turnus and others against Aeneas. This final battle for control of Latium symbolizes the fierce struggle that the Trojans endured to fulfill their divine destiny.
Virgil emphasizes Aeneas’ sense of duty, or pietas, towards his family, people, and the gods—a central virtue for the Romans. When Turnus kills Pallas, Aeneas’ ally and the son of King Evander, Aeneas’ rage overwhelms him. He defeats Turnus in a climactic duel, ending the conflict and securing a future for the Trojan descendants. With Turnus’ death, Aeneas’ mission is fulfilled, establishing peace and securing a marriage with Lavinia, which unites the Trojans and Latins and paves the way for the founding of Rome.
Aeneas’ legacy is immortalized through the founding of Lavinium, named after Lavinia, and his son Ascanius’ foundation of Alba Longa, the city that would eventually give rise to Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. To honor his role, the Romans elevated Aeneas to divine status. Venus petitioned Jupiter to make Aeneas a god, and Jupiter agreed, transforming him into a deity through the waters of the River Numicus. Aeneas was worshipped by the Romans as a god, revered in temples and shrines across the empire.
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Artistic and Cultural Influence of the Aeneas Myth
Aeneas’ journey and heroic qualities made him a popular subject in ancient art and literature. In Roman art, scenes depicting Aeneas carrying his father from Troy symbolized his filial piety and dedication, qualities esteemed in Roman culture. Coins from the ancient city of Aenea in Chalcidice bear his image, reflecting his widespread veneration.
The story of Aeneas influenced not only Roman culture but also later European literature. William Shakespeare included Aeneas in Troilus and Cressida, and English composer Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas explores the tragic love between the Trojan hero and the queen of Carthage. In the 20th century, Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel Lavinia reimagines Aeneas’ story from Lavinia’s perspective, highlighting his complex legacy.
Cultural icon
In Aeneas, the Romans found a hero whose trials mirrored their own aspirations and values. His journey from the ashes of Troy to the fertile lands of Italy represented the perseverance, bravery, and sense of duty that defined Roman identity. Unlike Achilles or Hercules, Aeneas embodied pietas and resilience, qualities that resonated deeply within Roman society.
By tracing Rome’s origins back to a noble Trojan lineage, the Romans established a lineage of heroism and divine favor. Aeneas’ journey remains a powerful narrative of exile and renewal, one that not only forged a national identity for Rome but also left an enduring mark on the cultural and literary traditions of the Western world.
