Virgil Aeneid: Sacrifice
Introduction
- Sacrifice comes in many different forms, from ritualistic sacrifice of
animals to human sacrifice, both physically and psychologically e.g. of
personal benefits (normative – epic is usually this vs transgressive –
tragedy is usually this)
- Necessary for the foundation of the Roman race, including retained
connections between gods and men
Religious sacrifice (of animals)
- Key aspect of theology within the Aeneid, often to appease the anger
of the gods
- Transactional nature of sacrifice – however this is often giving far more
than is received, as the mortals still struggle significantly throughout
e.g. with storms etc.
- Marks significant moments:
1. E.g. during funeral games for Anchises – large sacrifice of cows,
sheep, and pigs (Aen. 5.97-105), anticipates the beginning of the
games as well as celebrating the life of Anchises, thus embracing a
new start whilst recognising the pain left behind
2. Sacrifice of the bull during boxing match, as one warrior kills a bull
as a show of strength and threat to Dares, as he was stopped before
he could kill the man – the bull acts as a substitute for Dares limits
boundaries between men and animals, claims the bull’s life is worth
more than that of Dares, reversal of expected values of life (Aen.
5.472-86)
- Demonstrates Aeneas’ piety as he consistently ensures these sacrifices
among other holy rights are completed
- However the most basic, surface level form of sacrifice which can be
found within the epic (C. Bandera, Sacrificial Levels in Virgil’s Aeneas)
Personal sacrifice (e.g. that by Aeneas)
- Creusa’s death:
1. Emotional but less directly caused by Aeneas: she wanders off as he
is more concerned about his relatives – he is not the reason for her
being lost, but arguably was not worried enough for his wife which
caused her to be left behind
2. Necessary so that he can fulfil his prophecy and remarry
- Dido’s death:
1. Almost entirely Aeneas’ fault, Dido and Anna beg him not to leave
(Aen. 4.440-50); all characters would be happier if he stayed, he
resists in order to found Rome
2. Death is also framed as very sacrificial, with references to a curse,
pyre surrounded by altars, sprinkling of water (Aen. 4.505-23), and
falling upon a sword (Aen. 4.644-707)
3. Gods accept this sacrifice as Iris cuts her hair and releases her soul
(Aen. 4.700-707) – she combines all roles within sacrifice, becoming
the victim and killer
Introduction
- Sacrifice comes in many different forms, from ritualistic sacrifice of
animals to human sacrifice, both physically and psychologically e.g. of
personal benefits (normative – epic is usually this vs transgressive –
tragedy is usually this)
- Necessary for the foundation of the Roman race, including retained
connections between gods and men
Religious sacrifice (of animals)
- Key aspect of theology within the Aeneid, often to appease the anger
of the gods
- Transactional nature of sacrifice – however this is often giving far more
than is received, as the mortals still struggle significantly throughout
e.g. with storms etc.
- Marks significant moments:
1. E.g. during funeral games for Anchises – large sacrifice of cows,
sheep, and pigs (Aen. 5.97-105), anticipates the beginning of the
games as well as celebrating the life of Anchises, thus embracing a
new start whilst recognising the pain left behind
2. Sacrifice of the bull during boxing match, as one warrior kills a bull
as a show of strength and threat to Dares, as he was stopped before
he could kill the man – the bull acts as a substitute for Dares limits
boundaries between men and animals, claims the bull’s life is worth
more than that of Dares, reversal of expected values of life (Aen.
5.472-86)
- Demonstrates Aeneas’ piety as he consistently ensures these sacrifices
among other holy rights are completed
- However the most basic, surface level form of sacrifice which can be
found within the epic (C. Bandera, Sacrificial Levels in Virgil’s Aeneas)
Personal sacrifice (e.g. that by Aeneas)
- Creusa’s death:
1. Emotional but less directly caused by Aeneas: she wanders off as he
is more concerned about his relatives – he is not the reason for her
being lost, but arguably was not worried enough for his wife which
caused her to be left behind
2. Necessary so that he can fulfil his prophecy and remarry
- Dido’s death:
1. Almost entirely Aeneas’ fault, Dido and Anna beg him not to leave
(Aen. 4.440-50); all characters would be happier if he stayed, he
resists in order to found Rome
2. Death is also framed as very sacrificial, with references to a curse,
pyre surrounded by altars, sprinkling of water (Aen. 4.505-23), and
falling upon a sword (Aen. 4.644-707)
3. Gods accept this sacrifice as Iris cuts her hair and releases her soul
(Aen. 4.700-707) – she combines all roles within sacrifice, becoming
the victim and killer
