Aeneid - Virgil Being One

Aeneid - Virgil

Being one of the early legends relating to the creation of Roman Empire, Virgil's Aeneid certainly is a hallmark for people determined by various factors to leave their home-countries in favor of other territories. Aeneas's journey deals with some of the important impediments that a person who emigrates has to deal with, in spite of the fact that the story is mostly fictional.

Consequent to the Trojan War and to the fall of Troy, Aeneas and his companions are destined to find a new land on which they have to found Rome. Until that point, Troy had presumably been one of the most successful cities in the whole world, with its walls strong enough to have stopped the entire Greek army. The Trojans had been considered to be noble and courageous people that would stop at nothing from accomplishing their goals. All that had remained of Troy consequent to the war had been a handful of men ready to face and fight for their destinies.

Aeneas had been prophesized by Helenus to take his homeland's culture and pride further by creating a new city where his people would thrive. Apparently, the prophecy went even further and Helenus claimed that Aeneas's descendents would advance rapidly and conquer the entire world. Virgil had intended the readers to observe the pressure that had been put on Aeneas's shoulders when he found that he had been his people's only chance of thriving as they did in Troy.

In spite of the fact that he is very courageous, Aeneas is terrified at the moment when Juno commands the winds to be unleashed upon the Trojan fleet. The goddess Juno does not sympathize with the idea that the Trojans would grow into one of the greatest civilizations in the world, considering the fact that this would mean that Aeneas's descendents would also conquer her city in Carthage.

After an unfortunate set of events which leaves Aeneas with only seven ships from his initial fleet, the Trojans find themselves on the shores of Carthage. Here, there are welcomed by the Phoenician princess, Dido, the founder of the city. The fact that the people of Carthage partially share the same fate as the Trojans makes it easier for them to interact and form bonds.

Gradually, a connection forms between Dido and Aeneas because of several interventions from the Trojan hero's mother, Venus, and they become lovers. Because of their relationship, Aeneas forgets the prophecy and decides to stay with his people in Carthage. Observing that Aeneas had forgotten his duties, the god Jupiter sends Mercury to remind him of the prophecy. Again, Aeneas sets sail, determined to have his descendents enjoy the cultural values of the Trojans.