A comparison of The Aeneid and Metamorphoses

Both Vergil and Ovid imbedded underlying meanings in their epics The Aeneid and Metamorphoses. In this paper I will focus on the underlying meaning in the Underworld scene in Vergil's The Aeneid (lines 356 through 1199). I will also focus on three scenes in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Both epics contain a larger message about the importance of the Roman past for its present and future under Augustus.

The story of Aeneas in the Underworld can be interpreted as a brilliant rendition of the story of Rome's past, present, and future. When Aeneas descends into the Underworld, he is escorted by the Sibyl (lines 347 - 349). This gives the readers a clue that what is to happen in the upcoming text is a foretelling of Roman future because the Sibyl was a prophetess (Course Packet, p16).

As Aeneas enters the Underworld, he sees numerous horrible sights: Grief, Disease, Old Age, Fear, Hunger, and several others.

[Forum Boario, Rome, Italy] (LOC)

[Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy] (LOC)

Aeneas, whom the Romans believed Romulus and Remus...

(Lines 356 - 379) These unsettling and dark words bring difficult images to the reader's mind. These lines foretell that there will be difficulties while Rome is in its infancy through phrases like 'lonely night' and 'phantom kingdom'. Rome did indeed have difficulties in its infancy; in the 7th and 6th centuries BCE it was ruled by Etruscan kings and was only '... a little hill town.' (Short Histories, p20)

Lines 390 through 549 in The Aeneid deal with the crossing of the River Styx. This represents a great transition period in Rome. It symbolizes the founding of the Republic. The multitude of rushing and swarming people (Line 402) represents those that suffered the 'internal turmoil' in the early stages of the Republic. (Short Histories, p21) When Aeneas mentions, '... and by what rule must some keep off the bank ...' (Lines 419 - 421)...