Greek colonists expanding into Magna Graecia and Sicily during the sixth century BC sought to link their new homelands to pre-existing mythology. They adopted stories of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who fled the fall of Troy, to create a shared cultural identity with native populations. Greek vases from this era depict Aeneas founding a home in Etruria, predating Virgil by centuries. Archaeologists discovered thirteen large altars in Lavinium dating from the sixth through fourth century BC that indicate early worship of Aeneas. The Romans later integrated these myths after conquering Greek colonies and following the war against King Pyrrhus of Epirus in 280 BC. Literary fragments attributed to the fifth-century BC logographer Hellanicus of Lesbos suggest Rome was founded by Aeneas with help from Odysseus. An unknown figure named Alcimus wrote around the fourth century BC claiming Aeneas fathered Romulus with Thyrrenia. These scattered accounts provided the raw material for Virgil to codify into a single national epic.
Narrative Structure And Homeric Parallels
Virgil divided his twelve-book poem into two distinct halves to rival Homer's established traditions. Books one through six follow the pattern of the Odyssey, detailing Aeneas' wanderings across the Mediterranean. Books seven through twelve mirror the Iliad, focusing on warfare between the Trojans and the Latins. This structural division reflects Virgil's ambition to treat both wandering themes and warfare themes within a single work. The first half begins in medias res with the Trojan fleet heading toward Italy under a storm stirred up by Juno. Neptune calms the waters after Aeolus releases the winds at Juno's request. The second half opens with hostilities breaking out when Juno sends the fury Alecto to stir conflict. Scholars note that while this division is rough, it serves as a starting point for understanding the journey. Joseph Farrell observed that accepting this split at face value mistakes a destination for the beginning of a long wondrous journey. The narrative structure allows Virgil to explore the full scope of Roman destiny from exile to empire.