Mohammed Ahmed 12/2/2014 Humn 220 Iliad vs. Aeneid Virgil’s Aeneid is an attempt to write a Roman version of the Homeric epics, clearly incorporating and referencing elements found in the Iliad. Although Homer was a blind and illiterate poet, his classic poetry has been passed down orally for many centuries. Eventually, the poems were written down during Archaic Greece. In comparison, Virgil had the ability to read and write so he seized the chance to analyze Homer’s poem and make them better. Unlike Homer’s epic poems which were written in Greek, Virgil’s poems were written in Latin ultimately trying to bring imperial Rome the glory it deserved. The Iliad discusses the end of the Trojan War along with the devastating impact war can have while …show more content…
Having understood the fall of Troy, we know that Hector’s fears appear rather justified. For Aeneas, the final enemy to kill was Turnus, commonly known as the hero of the Latins. Unlike Achilles, Aeneas is far less inclined to seek revenge on Turnus, until he finds out that Turnus is responsible for the death of his good companion Pallas. Both epic poems result in a death of the hero. Each of their deaths is placed there for a specific purpose. In the Iliad, Hector’s father, Priam, pleads that his son’s body be returned to him so that he can be respected and buried properly. The end of the poem is suggestive of remorse. It seems as if the actions carried out through the poem are now being regretted. On the other hand, the Aeneid concludes with the death of Turnus without any sort of guilt or sorrow. The death of Turnus is defensible in this case. This event is a major stepping stone towards ending the Trojan War and eventually paves a pathway for the emergence of imperial Rome. However, it wasn’t as simple as it seems for Aeneas. The implementation of the foundation for a new empire caused Aeneas to suffer a great loss. He was compelled to leave his beloved town of Troy, as well as the woman he loved, Dido. It was a heavy price to pay in order to go out and tame his desire of fulfilling his fate. Unlike Achilles, Aeneas is not troubled emotions. Instead, he is driven by his commitment to the mission he has indulged in for his