The Aeneid

by Virgil

Major themes explored by Vergil as he narrates his story include models of good and bad kings, the relationships between fathers and sons, the roles of sacrifice and self-sacrifice, and the tensions between anger and mercy, revenge and self-control.

If a grave, upright hero of the nation Appears, compelling silence and attention, Then he can tame their hearts and guide their passions:

Sick with colossal burdens, he shammed hope On his face, and buried grief deep in his heart.

a woman led.

“Tell it all from start, my friend—the ambush By Greeks, your city’s fall, your wanderings. This is the seventh summer now that sends you 755 Drifting across the wide world’s lands and seas.”

What tears could show our agony in full? An empire, generations old, was falling.

So sickness gripped the queen, who let her folly 90 Outrun her good name.

From this day came catastrophe and death. No thought of public scandal or of hiding 170 Her passion troubled Dido any longer. She called it marriage, covering her own fault.

What kind of rulers spend the whole long winter Sunk deep in sensuous and sordid passion?”

There was no fate or justice in her death. Her madness brought a wretched early end,

No unfamiliar form of hardship threatens: My soul has grasped and probed all this.

Children, don’t lose your horror of such warfare. Don’t turn your massive strength against your country.

But Romans, don’t forget that world dominion Is your great craft: peace, and then peaceful customs; Sparing the conquered, striking down the haughty.”

“Now you can smash them, as you’ve yearned to do. Courage controls the god of war. Remember 280 Your wives and homes. Remake your fathers’ fame And heroism. Hurry to the surf And catch the sailors staggering and fearful. Fortune helps bold men.”

Clonius, whom bolting horses Sent sprawling,

Black gore flowed everywhere. They fought, they stabbed, They killed, and through their wounds sought splendid death.

He launched a slaughter—horrifying, cruel, And random—and it gave his rage free rein.

Now their swords struck, and the blows Multiplied, in the thick of chance and courage.

You’ll see the new race, with Italian blood, Surpass the world—and gods—in piety. Nobody else will bring you greater worship.”