Aeneas vs. Achilles

Definition

Aeneas and Achilles are two of the most prominent heroes in epic poetry, representing different values and characteristics in their respective narratives. Aeneas, from Virgil's 'Aeneid', embodies duty, piety, and the pursuit of destiny, while Achilles, from Homer's 'Iliad', exemplifies personal glory, honor, and the heroic code of the warrior. Their contrasting traits highlight the cultural shifts from the values of ancient Greece to those of ancient Rome.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Aeneas is often depicted as a dutiful leader who prioritizes his responsibilities to his people and the gods over personal desires.
2. Achilles is characterized by his fierce temper and pursuit of glory, which ultimately leads to conflict and personal tragedy.
3. The journey of Aeneas reflects the theme of founding a new homeland for the Trojans, contrasting with Achilles's focus on avenging his fallen comrades in battle.
4. While Achilles seeks to achieve immortality through heroic deeds, Aeneas's legacy is built upon his role as a progenitor of the Roman people.
5. The portrayal of Aeneas emphasizes loyalty to family and fate, while Achilles's story illustrates the consequences of unchecked pride and rage.

Review Questions

• How do Aeneas and Achilles represent different aspects of heroism in their respective epics?
  • Aeneas represents a hero guided by duty and piety, focusing on fulfilling his destiny to establish a new home for his people. In contrast, Achilles embodies the heroic ideal of personal glory and honor, prioritizing individual valor in battle. This contrast highlights a shift from Greek values, where personal achievement is paramount, to Roman ideals that emphasize collective responsibility and duty to the divine.
• In what ways do the motivations of Aeneas differ from those of Achilles, and how do these motivations reflect their cultural backgrounds?
  • Aeneas's motivations stem from a sense of duty to his destiny as prophesied by the gods, driving him to lead his people to safety and found a new city. Conversely, Achilles is motivated by personal honor and revenge for his fallen friend Patroclus, reflecting Greek cultural values that prioritize individual heroism. These differing motivations illustrate the transition from the self-focused heroism of Greece to the more communal responsibilities emphasized in Roman culture.
• Evaluate how Aeneas's journey reflects Roman ideals compared to Achilles's experiences in relation to Greek culture.
  • Aeneas's journey illustrates Roman ideals such as duty, sacrifice for the greater good, and respect for fate, as he endures hardships for the sake of establishing a future for his descendants. In contrast, Achilles's experiences focus on themes of wrath and individual legacy in battle, characteristic of Greek culture's emphasis on personal honor. This evaluation shows how Virgil crafted Aeneas as a model for Roman virtues while simultaneously critiquing the destructive nature of unrestrained pride evident in Achilles’s story.

Related terms

Piety: The quality of being religious or reverent, which is a central theme in Aeneas's character as he constantly strives to fulfill his divine mission.

Heroic Code: The set of values that guide the actions of Greek heroes like Achilles, emphasizing personal honor, bravery in battle, and individual glory.

Destiny: The predetermined course of events that Aeneas is destined to fulfill, representing a key difference between his motivations and those of Achilles.