Post by Dominique Martin on Oct 13, 2016 1:46:13 GMT
DISCOVERING ROMAN GODS THROUGH THE AENEID.doc (26.5 KB)
Dominique Martin
Great books of western civilization
Christopher Martin
10/12/16
DISCOVERING ROMAN GODS THROUGH THE AENEID
In this paper, I will argue that the Roman gods were important to civilization. I will do this by showing their roles in the story of the Aeneid by Virgil. The significance of this argument is to show why we should not be quick to forget the legends and religions that we don’t typically think pertain to ourselves.
Taking a look at the most prominent gods in this story we have Jupiter(Jove), Juno and Venus. Each of these gods have a different personality and motive in the story. Juno, the goddess of marriage and families, is the wife of Jupiter. Throughout the story Juno is trying to get rid of Aeneas because of his Trojan lineage and his destiny to take over the city of Carthage, her favorite city. Jupiter is king of the gods, and god of the sky and thunder, he wants justice and levels the playing field, making any battles as fair as possible. Venus, the goddess of love, being the mother of Aeneas, does everything she can to protect Aeneas and save him from the ploys of Juno.
Near the beginning of this book while Aeneas is sailing from Troy to Italy, Juno tries to throw him off course by having the wind god Aeolus send a storm. The God Poseidon then interferes calming the sea and explaining that Aeolus had overstepped his boundaries. Venus observing this trial begs Jupiter to end the suffering of the Trojans and he assures her that in due time Aeneas will reach his destiny and find a home in Italy.
Later, Juno who is still to no avail trying to prevent the rule of Aeneas persuades the warrior Turnus to wage war on Aeneas. Turnus had already been opposed to Aeneas for they wanted the hand of the Princess Lavinia. Venus learns of the upcoming battle and she persuades her husband, the god Vulcan, to make and give Aeneas special armor to protect him.
These are only two of many examples in which the gods influence and shape the lives of mortals. It almost seems that these gods wanted to be a part of mortals’ lives. They interfere, try to help, and try to kill them; but the gods know the prophesies and the heroes’ destiny’s. They know they can’t change them. By making themselves known and present in the lives of mortals they receive respect, something which everyone craves. Different gods just had different ways of gaining this respect. Jupiter was seen as just and buoyant temperament; Juno was depicted as warrior like and, as seen in this story, quite vengeful.
The Roman gods were great figures of power. They instilled in the Romans two of the strongest human emotions, hope and fear. Without these emotions there is no motivation for anything. In that case, what is the purpose of life if you have nothing to accomplish? For Rome these gods were the pinnacle of inspiration, and the reason we have so many great things. It is because of these inspirations we have plumbing, arches in architecture, and many other things we take for granted in our everyday lives.
Dominique Martin
Great books of western civilization
Christopher Martin
10/12/16
DISCOVERING ROMAN GODS THROUGH THE AENEID
In this paper, I will argue that the Roman gods were important to civilization. I will do this by showing their roles in the story of the Aeneid by Virgil. The significance of this argument is to show why we should not be quick to forget the legends and religions that we don’t typically think pertain to ourselves.
Taking a look at the most prominent gods in this story we have Jupiter(Jove), Juno and Venus. Each of these gods have a different personality and motive in the story. Juno, the goddess of marriage and families, is the wife of Jupiter. Throughout the story Juno is trying to get rid of Aeneas because of his Trojan lineage and his destiny to take over the city of Carthage, her favorite city. Jupiter is king of the gods, and god of the sky and thunder, he wants justice and levels the playing field, making any battles as fair as possible. Venus, the goddess of love, being the mother of Aeneas, does everything she can to protect Aeneas and save him from the ploys of Juno.
Near the beginning of this book while Aeneas is sailing from Troy to Italy, Juno tries to throw him off course by having the wind god Aeolus send a storm. The God Poseidon then interferes calming the sea and explaining that Aeolus had overstepped his boundaries. Venus observing this trial begs Jupiter to end the suffering of the Trojans and he assures her that in due time Aeneas will reach his destiny and find a home in Italy.
Later, Juno who is still to no avail trying to prevent the rule of Aeneas persuades the warrior Turnus to wage war on Aeneas. Turnus had already been opposed to Aeneas for they wanted the hand of the Princess Lavinia. Venus learns of the upcoming battle and she persuades her husband, the god Vulcan, to make and give Aeneas special armor to protect him.
These are only two of many examples in which the gods influence and shape the lives of mortals. It almost seems that these gods wanted to be a part of mortals’ lives. They interfere, try to help, and try to kill them; but the gods know the prophesies and the heroes’ destiny’s. They know they can’t change them. By making themselves known and present in the lives of mortals they receive respect, something which everyone craves. Different gods just had different ways of gaining this respect. Jupiter was seen as just and buoyant temperament; Juno was depicted as warrior like and, as seen in this story, quite vengeful.
The Roman gods were great figures of power. They instilled in the Romans two of the strongest human emotions, hope and fear. Without these emotions there is no motivation for anything. In that case, what is the purpose of life if you have nothing to accomplish? For Rome these gods were the pinnacle of inspiration, and the reason we have so many great things. It is because of these inspirations we have plumbing, arches in architecture, and many other things we take for granted in our everyday lives.