Intro to the Aeneid

In Ancient Literature and History today, students were introduced to the world of The Aeneid, Rome’s great epic poem. We explored the setting of the story after the fall of Troy and learned how the Romans believed their civilization began with Aeneas, a Trojan hero who escaped the destruction of his city and was destined to found the Roman people.

Students reviewed how The Aeneid connects to the Iliad and the Odyssey, but also how it teaches a very different message. While Greek epics focus on personal glory and heroic fame, the Roman epic emphasizes duty, sacrifice, and obedience to fate. We discussed how Aeneas is not trying to win honor for himself, but is constantly choosing what is best for his people and for the future of Rome, even when it costs him personally.

This background helps students understand why Roman values like duty to the gods, loyalty to family, and commitment to destiny are at the heart of the story. As we move forward in the poem, students will use these ideas to analyze Aeneas’s choices, the role of the gods, and the price that is paid to build a great civilization.