Heroism In The Aeneid

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Aeneas is the embodiment of the pius, stoic Roman hero and leader. Challenged by tests of his personal desires, he demonstrates his commitment to fulfilling the destiny of his people as willed by the gods. Concluding the Trojans battle with Aeneas killing Turnus is a temporary contravention to Roman stoic heroism while simultaneously in accordance with his pietas, and is necessary to the transition for the Trojan people into Romans.
Aeneas demonstrates his pietas in overcoming his personal desires, committing himself to fulfilling the will of the gods and establishing a new home for his people. “Pietas requires that a man should do what is due and right not only by his gods, but also for his city, his family, his friends and his enemies” (West Aen. pg. xxi) Every encounter throughout his journey to Italy tests Aeneas’ commitment to his destiny, reminding him of why he must move forward, thus, strengthening his resolve. When Troy is burning to the ground and Aeneas flees the city with his family, his wife Creusa is lost confusion. Her phantom is not the first to come to Aeneas …show more content…
Leading up to the final moment, however, Aeneas embodies the stoic hero in his actions, remaining focused on the task at hand. With the treaty between Latinus and himself, Aeneas acknowledges the task before him and what he must do to achieve it. Furthermore, his approach to ending the battle, his prioritizing of killing Turnus, is very much in accordance with Roman stoic heroism. His stoicism in battle is demonstrated nicely in Book XII as Aeneas fights with Turnus and again after he has been struck by the arrow, returning immediately to battle to end things. Only when reminded of Pallas’ death by the sight of his belt in the final scene that his grief overcomes him and there is a breach in Aeneas stoic

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