The ancient story of Aeneas, the Trojan hero who crossed the seas to lay the first pillar of what would become Rome, is a captivating tangle of myth and legend. A pivotal figure in Roman mythology, Aeneas is both the son of a goddess and the mythical founder of a civilization that would mark history. The resonance of his quest, deeply rooted in Roman culture, has been immortalized in literary works, notably Virgil's incomparable Aeneid, a cultural and political reflection of the times.
Introduction
Aeneas: Trojan hero and his origins
Aeneas' origins are shaped by his noble Trojan heritage. He is the fruit of the union between Anchises, a mortal, and Aphrodite, known to the Romans as Venus, thus sealing Aeneas' grandiose destiny.
When Troy fell in flames, it was Aeneas who carried on his shoulders his father and the domestic cult of the Penates, prophesied by the gods to be the builder of a great new city.
Aeneas' Odyssey to Italy
During his Mediterranean journey, Aeneas faced a multitude of challenges. His encounter with Dido remains etched in memory as the symbol of the sacrifices required to fulfill his destiny.
The prophecy ordering him to found a new Troy drives him to leave Carthage, despite the ties of his heart, and set sail for Italy.
Arrival in Italy and the first conflicts
When Aeneas finally reaches Italian soil, he enters into a strategic and fertile marriage with local powers such as King Latinus. However, this union leads to fierce disputes, notably with Turnus, the furious prince of the Rutuli.
War breaks out, with epic battles and divine alliances, seeing finally the resounding victory of the Trojan warrior.
The founding of Rome
After Aeneas, it was the young Ascanius who continued his father's work by founding Albe la Longue, the prelude to the great story of Rome. Aeneas' posterity overflows with heroic figures, culminating in the legend of the twins Romulus and Remus, whose actions led to the mythical founding of Rome in 753 BC.C.
Aeneas, founding myth and symbol for the Roman Empire
Aeneas' function in the Aeneid transcends the boundaries of epic to become an instrument of Augustan will, making him a perfect avatar of essential Roman values. The legacy of Aeneas thus symbolizes the continuity and harmony between old Troy and the new Roman power.
Conclusion
The echo of the Aeneas myth envelops Rome's identity in its politics, art and literature, weaving through the fabric of time a rich and persistent cultural heritage. It is not just the foundation of a city, but of an entire civilization, continually reshaped and celebrated through the ages.
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