Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics The Aeneid
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Sep 2, 2025 Explore the epic journey of Aeneas as he flees Troy to create a new city in Italy. Encounter intriguing themes of duty, love, and sacrifice, especially during his tragic farewell to Dido. Marvel at battles fueled by divine interventions and the rise of fierce warriors like Camilla. Delve into the dramatic climax where Aeneas confronts Turnus in a battle steeped in vengeance and betrayal. Discover how Virgil's unfinished masterpiece became a cornerstone of Roman culture, defying the poet's last wishes.
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Epic As Political Messaging
- Virgil wrote the Aeneid to link Rome to Trojan and Homeric myth and glorify Augustus.
- The poem serves both literary and political purposes, blending epic with propaganda.
Dido And Aeneas Mirror Origins
- Dido and Aeneas mirror each other as refugees building new cities, creating immediate emotional chemistry.
- Venus and Cupid trick Dido into falling for Aeneas by substituting Ascanius with Cupid disguised.
The Fall Of Troy Retold
- Book Two recounts the Trojan Horse deception with Sinon deceiving the Trojans and Laocoön's warning ignored.
- Aeneas sees Hector's ghost, tries to fight, and flees with Anchises and Ascanius while Creusa dies and appears as a ghost.
