The National Hero In Virgil's Aeneid

Aeneid is an epic poem written by a Roman poet, Publius Vergilius Maro, from 29 BCE until his death in 19 BCE. This long epic poem describes the mythology of the founding of Rome. During his youth, political strife caused so much pain and suffering to Italy, and the cause of its Government’s downfall. When Julius Ceasar governed the Roman Empire, he initiated civil war against Pompey. By the time Ceasar was assassinated, Augustus took over and this was the start of the Roman Peace. These experiences made Virgil wrote an epic that reflects to the history of his time. He fears that the human nature, greed and violence, will plague again the new Empire so he purposely write this epic poem is to exalt the new empire and to give it a national hero. Virgil spent ten year of his life writing the story of Aeneid but left it unfinished because he got sick and died.

It was prophesied that Aeneas will build a new Empire which will be known throughout the world. This story foretells significant events leading to its current reign by Augustus. Just like what happened in the Roman Empire, Augustus like Aeneas, fought a hard fight just to achieve and brought forth the peace they wanted for his country and countrymen and build a new Empire that became know. Though they have faced many battles and trials they’ve never gave up. Though some critics said that Augustus achieved his power through violence and treachery, but still Aeneas’ role is very similar as to what Augustus has