The Aeneid is an epic poem by Virgil that tells an origin story of the Romans and was Rome’s national epic. One of the most famous episodes of the work is Aeneas’ tragic affair with Dido, which ends with Dido’s suicide. This essay will argue that Aeneas’ staunch inclination to following his pietas most strongly... Continue Reading →
Secondary Source Review: Seasons and Similes in the Aeneid
This source is an article about how seasons are used as similes in the Aeneid, by George Fredric Franko of Hollins University. The audience for the article is people who have already read the Aeneid, because the author does not analyze the similes in the order they appear in the story. He looks at autumn... Continue Reading →
Reflection on the “Diet, Food and Consumption in the Greek and Roman Worlds” UTM talk (Delivered Sept 22, 2022)
The first lecture by John Wilkins was on food in Greco-Roman Culture. Wilkins started out by talking about anthropological situations of food and culture in antiquity. The ancient Greco-Romans believed that nature was controlled by powerful forces, normally gods. I think this is a good point: many ancient cultures including the Greeks knew the world... Continue Reading →
Analysis of The Tomb of Fastia Velsi from Chiusi
Fastia Velsi’s urn was part of a tomb in the Colle Lucioli near Chiusi. The lid of Fastia Velsi’s inscribed travertine urn depicts her wearing a tunic and elaborate jewelry, reclining on two pillows as if in a banquet. The front of the container depicts a youthful figure with wings and fishtail legs. It possibly... Continue Reading →