Virgil: pro or anti-Augustan propaganda?

[guy]

 

Publius Vergilius Maro (70-19 BCE), usually called Virgil, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is most famous for his epic “Aeneid.” Here is both an article and video discussing whether his work is pro- or anti-Augustan propaganda.

 

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Much of Virgil’s young adult life was plagued by civil war and some suggest that his own farm in Mantua was confiscated for the resettlement of demobilised soldiers. Many believe this is why he supported Augustus for his policy of Pax Romana or Roman peace. In fact, Virgil’s earlier poem ‘Georgics’ was primarily about farming but also acted as a plea for political stability (which Augustus rule eventually created).”

It is important to note that Virgil adopts an extremely pessimistic tone during parts of the epic, especially in reference to the Latin war, which  makes many critics believe he was actually anti-Augustan and therefore that his areas of praise were included solely to satisfy an all-controlling emperor. It is also true that the epic’s role as a replicator of Hellenistic poetic tradition is more apparent than its role as propaganda.

 

 

https://hisztorycom.wordpress.com/2020/04/29/virgils-aeneid-pro-augustan-propaganda/

 

 

https://retrospectjournal.com/2021/10/17/augustan-propaganda-virgil-and-idealism-in-the-aeneid/

Edited June 30, 2022 by guy