Roman Value Of Troy Aeneas

Pietas: The Roman value for dutifulness, mainly the idea of patriotism. Roman values have been observed as some of the most impressive morals people have held. They reflect a sense of nationalism and determination uncommon in many other cultures. The greater good of Rome was always put before individual desires. This was not an idea forced onto the people of the time, it was something ingrained in Roman culture. At the fall of Troy Aeneas, the son of Venus, was instructed to go and found a new empire. His destiny could not be stopped by romance or even his own family. Aeneas was fated to not only found Rome, but bring values to the soon-to-be empire.
As the city around him began to burn, Aeneas slept with the city. The Trojan horse had been
busted open and Greeks were now pillaging the city. Hector, once the mightiest of Trojans, spoke to Aeneas in his dreams, “Escape, son of the goddess, tear yourself from the flames…Now into your hands she entrusts her holy things, her household Gods.” (2.84.364/367-368). Virgil is saying that the greatest Trojan to ever be was trusting Aeneas with the job of carrying on Troy. He did not want Aeneas to die protecting the city, rather take the morals and traditions of Troy and carry them on. A metaphorical passing of the torch. It was now Aeneas’s duty to take forth the memory of the hallowed walls. He immediately sprang awake to instinctually fight off the Greek intruders. Once he realized it was hopeless, however, he began his escape. He gathered his family, and putting his father on his back he attempted to leave. While running through the streets, his wife Creusa went missing. While he searched for her, it eventually was relayed to him by the gods that she was forbidden to go with him. He was upset, but was too dedicated to the duty he was bound to fulfill. In fact, when he attempted to fight back the Greeks, the thought of his family did not even cross is mind until he was back out of combat. As the city burned down around him, his family was an afterthought. Only after he saw Priam killed he thought “Then, for the first time the full horror came home to me at last. I froze. The thought of my own dear father filled my mind…” (2.693-695.94) He had prioritized his beloved city over those who had surrounded himself his whole life.
Firmitas: Roman value of showing tenacity and sticking to one’s point.
Carthage was a thriving city that was quickly becoming the world super power. Virgil described the people bustling around the city like “bees in early summer that work at the blooming meadows under the sun” (1.520-521.62). They were led by Dido, a powerful queen that led fearlessly. She was introduced by Virgil saying, “[A] queen aglow with beauty…like Diana urging her dancing troupes along…” (1.599-602.64). She was incredible in power and beauty. Not only did they fall for each other on sight, but Venus ensured their relationship by sending Cupid, god of love, to Dido’s temple. They fell deeply in love. They later married in a cave. However, even through the haze of love, Aeneas knew his fate laid elsewhere. Jove sent Mercury to tell him that he “owes him[Ascanius] Italy’s realm, the land of Rome!” (4. 343.137) Aeneas roused his troops to leave Carthage to search for his long awaited land. Virgil describes “Rumor” anthropomorphically, saying that she flies through the city like fire. Eventually word got to Dido. She was outraged. She went to Aeneas in a blaze of fury throwing accusations at him, saying that he never loved her. Aeneas kept cool, dedicated to destiny. He tried to explain to her it was his duty assigned to him by the gods. No matter her complaining, he had to stick to the mission he was assigned to. He had to put the future of Troy before that of his love life. Even as she killed herself out of despair, he slept as his ship set off to
Italy.
Aeneas showed Roman values throughout his journey to founding the new Empire. He was bound to the duty the gods assigned to him. He portrayed pietas and firmitas, he stuck to his duty even when it was not easy. He was bound to what he had to do. He could not afford to be side tracked by a tough brake up or even the death of his wife. When he was given a clue as to where he needed to go, he left without hesitation. Aeneas was a new type of hero, written in the image of a model Roman citizen.