AUCTORITAS IN THE AENEID

Rahat Hasan

The Aeneid is an epic written by Virgil that tells the legendary story of Aeneas, who embarks on a journey to Italy where he becomes the ancestor of the Romans. Throughout The Aeneid, Virgil depicts numerous war heroes such as Aeneas, Camilla, and Pallas performing courageous feats in such a way that evokes a sensory experience of their authority. Known as imagery, this style of writing is employed by Virgil to portray the Roman virtue of auctoritas. Auctoritas is the Roman ideal of showing respect towards people who have earned recognition through war and/or politics. Virgil effectively demonstrates this ideal through use of imagery that shows respect and reverence for war heroes. In The Aeneid, people show their loyalty and respect for war heroes by offering them gifts or services at their own expense. This is evident when Camilla approaches Turnus and asks him if she can engage the cavalry of Aeneas all by herself. To describe this moment, Virgil writes, "Rushing to meet him came Camilla, riding up with her armed Volscian ranks and under the gates the princess sprang from her horse . . . in one gliding flow as their captain speaks: " Turnus, if the brave deserve to trust themselves, I'm steeled, I swear to engage the cavalry of Aeneas". " (11.594-600). Virgil describes Camilla's appearance with such detail that makes her seem duty-bound to Turnus. At the sight of Turnus' splendor, she immediately descends from her horse to formally deliever the message that she wishes to engage Aeneas' cavalry. Such an action proves that she is indeed submissive and devoted to him because she is willing to risk her entire life for the sake of Turnus. Another instance of this theme is evident when Aeneas approaches Dido

and requests aid in rebuilding their fleet. Dido marvels over his sudden appearance, and "leads Aeneas into the royal halls, announcing offerings in the gods' high temples as she goes. Not forgetting to send . . . a hundred fatted lambs with their mothers" (1.753-756). Dido's sudden reaction to Aeneas' appearance demonstrates her reverence for him. She immediately welcomes him and leads him into the royal halls; all done in appreciation of his arrival. Compelled by his authority, Dido gladly gave his crew a hundred lambs along with their mothers as a token of her gratitude. This not only demonstrates the Roman ideal of auctoritas, but it also demonstrates how a war hero's authority can compel others to show loyalty. When ever a war hero falls in battle, people are shown faithfully rushing to their aid, or avenging their death in retribution. This theme is consistent towards the end of The Aeneid, where many great heroes meet their death. For instance, when Pallas (the son of King Evander) is defeated by Turnus, all of his friends come rushing to his aid.Virgil describes this moment by writing, "But a huge throng of friends is attending Pallas, moaning, weeping, and bears him back upon his shield" (10.598-600). Virgil includes Pallas' friends thronging around him and mourning over his loss to relay a disastrous mood. Their moaning and weeping is a sign of their reverence for Pallas because they have respected him to a point where they have become emotionally attached to him. Pallas' friends are also shown bearing him back upon his shield to lessen his pain, which was done as a result of their long term obedience for Pallas. Another instance of this theme is demonstrated by Virgil when he depicts Opis' anger over Camilla's death. In reaction to her death, Opis says, "But your queen has not deserted you, shorn of honor, not in your hour of death, nor will your death lack glory among the race of man, nor will

you bear the shame of dying unavenged"(11.991-994). Opis believes that Camilla's authority must not be soiled by a shameful defeat. Thereby, she avenges her death by killing Arruns, the person who is truly responsible for her death. All of Opis' actions to glorify Camilla's name were done as a sign of duty and respect. Even after Camilla's death, she faithfully completed what was left unfinished. When people converse with war heroes of great prestige, they talk in a polite and serene manner to show their respect and loyalty. This is evident when Turnus says, ""Pride of Italy, Princess, what can I do or say to my thanks?" (11.606-607) to Camilla. Turnus, being a commanding general himself, is now talking in such a manner that demonstrates his affection and reverence for Camilla. This sudden formality may be due to the fact that Camilla is a prestigious general, who may even be stronger than Turnus as well. When writing this quote, Virgil may have intended the word, "princess" (11.606) to be emphasized, indicating Turnus' s admitance to her authority. From this, it can also be concluded that the quote has a very calm and easing tone to it. Additionally, Virgil portrays this theme in the very beginning of The Aeneid when Dido meets Aeneas. When Dido meets Aeneas, she says, "Born of a goddess, even so what destiny hunts you down through such ordeals? So come young soldiers, welcome to our house" (1.734-735) In this quote, Dido is calling Aeneas "born of a goddess" to indicate the devine lineage he shares with his mother, who is a goddess. This lineage implies that Aeneas is of a high prestige, thus having great authority over people. Furthermore, Dido is shown respecting his authority by welcoming him and his crew to her house. Consequently, Virgil's use of imagery to portray the Roman ideal of auctoritas is effective and picturesque to whoever reads it.