Virgils Aeneid And Homers Iliad

Both Greek and Roman myths are closely intertwined and share a great deal in common. Whether it is from similar deities possessing different monikers (Jupiter/Zeus, Diana/Athena etc.), or from similar mythic stories. Romans took and borrowed a great deal from the Greek pantheon and mythos. One such writer of myths was Virgil, who wrote the Aeneid. Virgil modeled the first six books of his epic after the style of the Odyssey and the rest of the books of the Aeneid after the Illiad, both written by the Greek Homer. Specifically, we will be looking at the differences and comparisons with which Virgil borrows upon the style and workings of these more prominent works of Homer.

One of the more discerning features of the Aeneid is that unlike the Odyssey and the Illiad who focus primarily it’s heroes (Achilles and Odysseus), the Aeneid focuses more on Rome rather than it’s hero, Aeneas. Such focus is evident by the detail given to things such as the boundaries (walls, national borders, ramparts etc.) of Rome. But the focusing upon boundaries also at the same time symbolizes not only the physical nation of Rome, but also its cultural aspec

In conclusion Virgil heavily borrows upon Homers style of writing and themes to contrast and emulate throughout his poem. Both of these similar epics are great works, evident by the fact they transcended throughout millennia to the present day, and continue to attract student and teacher alike into their rhetoric beauty and meaningful depths.

When contrasting Aeneas with Odysseus and Achilles, we see an almost mirror in their general behaviors. Achilles was excessive, taking his rage and anger to the limits and bounds, while Odysseus was impulsive. Aeneas on the other hands exhibits self-control, responsibility and compassion rather than giving into his flighty emotional side.

Virgil parallels the climactic combat between Turnus and Aeneas with the fight of Achilles and Hector in the Illiad. But unlike in the Illiad, the outcome of the battle is predetermined in the eyes of the gods, with Aeneas as the victor.

In the Illiad, Achilles listens to the pleas of respect towards Hectors body, taking him out of his typical archetype of excessive and angry. Virgil too takes Aeneas out of his typical behavior, as he does listen to similar pleas of respect for Turnus’ body, until he notices the belt of his friend Pallas around the dead general waist.

In book 10, Virgil contrasts the behavior of Aeneas and Turnus, and thus compares b

Some topics in this essay:
Athene Diomedes, Illiad Achilles, Turnus Greek-style, Odysseus Achilles, Odysseus Aeneid, Odyssey Achilles, Roman Greek, Romulus Remus, Jupiter/Zeus Diana/Athena, Homer Specifically, virgil takes, similar situation, achilles odysseus, situation illiad, pleas respect, similar situation illiad, roman greek, aeneid homers,