Rome's Destiny
The Secret Scroll of the Fates
Task 1: complete the scroll of the Fates, as read by Jupiter:
N.B. a copy of this can be found in your Aeneid Book I booklet.
Dido's Curse
Dido's final wish in Book IV would have recalled an all too familiar episode in Rome's past: The Punic Wars against Carthage, especially the Second Punic War involving the Carthaginian general, Hannibal.
This is my prayer. With these last words I pour out my life's blood. As for you, my Tyrians, you must purse with hatred the whole line of his descendants in time to come. Make that your offering to my shade. Let there be no love between our peoples and no treaties. Arise from my dead bones, O my unknown avenger, and harry the race of Dardanus with fire and sword wherever they may settle, now and in the future, whenever our strength allows it. I pray that we may stand opposed, shore against shore, sea against sea and sword against sword. Let there be war between our nations and between their sons for ever.
The Pageant of Heroes
Aeneas is shown the heroes of Rome's future (or past from Virgil's perspective) whilst talking to his father, Anchises, in the Underworld (Book VI).Task 2: for the parade of future Romans, find quotes from Virgil that allude to the deeds of each:
Hero | Event(s) | Quote(s) |
Silvius | Successor of Ascanius/Iulus who rules in Alba Longa. | |
Procas, Capys, Numitor, Silvius Aeneas | Military prowess of the Alban Kings. | |
Romulus | Foundation of Rome by the son of Mars, 753 BC | |
Numa | 2nd King of Rome, from the town Cures, known for religious reforms and peaceful law-giving | |
Tullus Hostilius | Warrior king who reintroduced Roman military ambitions | |
Junius Brutus | Expelled the Tarquins to found the Republic, serving as one of the first two consuls (510 BC). Executed one of his sons for trying to restore the the Tarquins. | |
Marcus Furius Camillus | Dubbed a ‘second Romulus’, he recaptured the legionary standards lost to the Gauls in 390 BC | |
Titus Manlius Torquatus | Executed his own son for dispbeying orders in 340 BC. | |
Publius Decius Mus | Father and son of same name, both said to have given their own lives to secure Roman victory (in 340 and 295 BC). | |
Gaius Atilius Regulus | Known as ‘Serranus’ (‘the Sower’). He was called to be consul whilst working on his farm in 257 BC | |
Marcus Claudius Marcellus the Elder | Consul five times who killed a Gallic chieftain in single combat, becoming the third Roman to gain the Spolia Opima. | |
Quintus Fabius Maximus ‘Cuncator’ | Gained the name ‘Cuncator’ (‘the Delayer’) for his delaying tactics against Hannibal, 217-216 BC. | |
Scipio Africanus Maior | Defeated Hannibal at the Battle of Zama, 202 BC. | |
Ameilius Paullus | Defeated King Perses of Macedonia in 168 BC. Perses claimed to be a descendent of Achilles | |
Scipio Africanus Minor | Destroyed Carthage of 146 BC. | |
Lucius Mummius | Sacked Corinth in 146 BC | |
Gaius Fabricius Luscinus | Fought against king Pyrrhus of Epirus, rejecting the gifts offered by Pyrrhus. | |
Julius Caesar and Pompey | Caesar brought his army from Gaul to fight Pompey’s legions from the East. Caesar defeated him at the battle of Pharsalus in 48 BC. | |
Augustus | Expansion of Roman Empire to its greatest extent by Virgil’s day Capture of Egypt after the battle of Actium, 31 BC Peace and prosperity restored after the civil wars following Julius Caesar’s death. | |
Marcus Claudius Marcellus the Younger | Augustus’ nephew and adopted son (in 25 BC). He died in his teens in 23 BC. |
N.B. a copy of this can be found in your Aeneid Book VI booklet.