Homer and Virgil's epics showcase different heroic ideals. Greek heroes like Achilles and Odysseus pursue personal glory and excellence, while Roman heroes like Aeneas prioritize duty and service to the state.

These contrasting values reflect the cultures that produced them. Greek epics celebrate individual achievement, while Roman epics emphasize collective good and civic virtue. Understanding these differences is key to grasping the nuances of epic poetry.

Heroic Ideals and Virtues

Greek Heroic Virtues

• Arete represents excellence, valor, and nobility in Greek culture, encompassing both physical prowess and moral virtue
  • Achieved through courageous acts, skill in battle, and adherence to a code of honor
  • Exemplified by heroes like Achilles and Odysseus who embody the ideal of arete in their actions and character
• Kleos signifies the glory and renown attained by heroes through their great deeds and achievements
  • Earned through exceptional feats of strength, courage, and wit that are remembered and celebrated by others
  • Ensures the hero's name and legacy endure long after their death (Achilles' choice to pursue kleos over a long life)
• Xenia refers to the sacred bond of hospitality between host and guest in Greek society
  • Involves the reciprocal exchange of gifts, shelter, and protection
  • Violation of xenia is a grave offense that incurs divine punishment (Odysseus and the suitors)

Roman Heroic Virtues

• Pietas embodies the Roman virtue of dutiful devotion and loyalty to one's family, country, and gods
  • Requires fulfilling one's obligations and responsibilities with respect and reverence
  • Demonstrated by heroes like Aeneas who prioritize their duty above personal desires (Aeneas leaving Dido to fulfill his destiny)
• Virtus encompasses the Roman ideals of manliness, courage, and moral excellence
  • Displayed through bravery in battle, steadfastness in the face of adversity, and upholding one's principles
  • Exemplified by heroes like Aeneas and Turnus who fight valiantly for their causes

Fate and Destiny

The Role of Fate in Epic Poetry

• Fatum represents the inexorable force of fate that shapes the lives of mortals and the course of events
  • Ordained by the gods and beyond human control, fate determines the ultimate outcome of a hero's journey
  • Heroes must accept and align themselves with their fated path, even when it involves great sacrifice or suffering (Aeneas' destiny to found Rome)
  • Attempts to resist or defy fate often lead to tragic consequences (Dido's doomed love for Aeneas)
  • The interplay between fate and free will is a central theme in both Homeric and Virgilian epics, as heroes navigate their destinies

Epic Hero Archetypes

The Homeric Hero

• Embodies the Greek heroic ideals of arete, kleos, and xenia
  • Excels in battle prowess, physical strength, and martial skill (Achilles' prowess in combat)
  • Driven by a desire for glory and immortal fame, often at the cost of a long life
  • Adheres to a code of honor and loyalty to their comrades and allies
• Undergoes a journey or quest that tests their heroic qualities and forces them to confront their own mortality and limitations (Odysseus' long journey home)
• Ultimately achieves kleos through their deeds and becomes a legend celebrated in song and story

The Virgilian Hero

• Represents the Roman virtues of pietas, virtus, and devotion to duty
  • Prioritizes fulfilling their destiny and obligations to family, country, and the gods above personal desires (Aeneas' mission to found Rome)
  • Displays courage, resilience, and moral rectitude in the face of adversity
  • Serves as a model of Roman values and a symbol of the empire's greatness
• Undergoes a transformative journey that shapes them into a leader and founder of a new civilization (Aeneas' journey from Troy to Italy)
• Embodies the ideal of the "pious hero" who submits to the will of fate and the gods, even when it demands great sacrifice

Cultural Values

Greek vs. Roman Ideals

• Greek heroic ideals emphasize individual glory, excellence, and the pursuit of kleos
  • Heroes are celebrated for their exceptional abilities, courage, and achievements
  • The Greek hero often stands apart from society as a singular figure of greatness (Achilles' withdrawal from battle)
• Roman heroic ideals prioritize duty, loyalty, and service to the state
  • Heroes are expected to subordinate their individual desires to the greater good of Rome
  • The Roman hero is deeply embedded in society and serves as a model of civic virtue (Aeneas' role as founder of the Roman people)
• While both cultures value courage, honor, and martial prowess, the Roman ideal places greater emphasis on piety, discipline, and the collective good
  • Greek heroes are more individualistic and driven by personal glory
  • Roman heroes are more duty-bound and focused on the success of the state
• The Aeneid reflects Virgil's attempt to reconcile Greek heroic ideals with Roman values, presenting Aeneas as a hero who embodies both arete and pietas