The ending of the Aeneid is essential for conveying the rest of the epic. Although the epic ends with Aeneas prevailing and establishing what would be the future location for Rome, the epic itself has a bittersweet ending. I think that Virgil wanted to celebrate the victory of the Trojans and how one man is founding one of the greatest empires in history. After reading the book, I did not feel very happy with the epic; actually, I was very depressed when I finished the book. I think that Virgil wanted to show the sacrifices a person (or people) has to make in order to set up a new society. It is very depressing to see how a person with great passion for his home and his family has to leave his home behind and leave his feelings behind in order to follow his Fate. By the end of the epic, Aeneas leaves Dido behind, the woman that he cared about, as well as witnessed many innocent men die in battle for a victory against Turnus and the Italians. The final scene where Aeneas kills Turnus shows how he is filled with Fury. This scene shows how Aeneas has progressed into a very impersonal leader. Aeneas goes from being the man who said, "three times I tried to put my arms around her neck, three times holding nothing" (I 1028-1030) to a man who "sank his blade in Turnus" chest" (XII. 1295) out of fury and hatred. .
I think Virgil wanted to show how a leader has to put aside all feelings and think about what is good for his people. This leads to speculation that Virgil wrote the Aeneid to celebrate Augustus Caesar as a leader. Virgil shows the hardships of founding Rome was very difficult and many people had to suffer for it. He says that all of the turmoil ends when Augustus Caesar comes into power. Virgil says, "wars at an end, harsh centuries then will soften the Gates of War will then be shut inside unholy Furor" (I. 391-395). I think that Virgil wanted to show how Augustus Caesar is such a good leader that he can close the iron gates and stop chaos in Rome.
