Similaries Between Aeneid and Iliad

Virgil's Aeneid, tells the story of the founding of Rome. It follows the last of the Trojan's who escaped the fate of Troy. Troy eventually falls following Homer's The Iliad, and Virgil continues the story of their people. The Trojans are not, however, the only similarity between the two books. Virgil employs many of the same image patterns that Homer uses in The Iliad. The symbolism of fire, shields, and gates are used in both epic poems.

Fire is used frequently in The Iliad, but Virgil utilizes this image in his poem as well. Fire symbolizes both destruction and desire in Virgil's poem, much like it did in The Iliad. In Book II, Aeneas uses the image of flames to describe the fate of Troy. "But now the fire roars across the walls; the tide of flame flows nearer" (Line 954 pg. 52). Fire is used to show destruction in The Iliad as well. Such example is the Trojans setting fire to the one of the Achaean ships. Fire is not only used to show destruction but to describe human emotions. A fire ignites in Dido's heart when she falls in love with Aeneas. Similarly, Homer describes Achilles' anger as a raging flame.

The symbolism of gates is used in both poems as well. In book IX of The Aeneid, the Trojans seek shelter from the Latin troops during an attack. Aeneas was not at the Trojan camp when the battle takes place however, he gives orders before he left to stay behind the gates of the fortress. He knows that if his troops were to remain behind the gates, they would be safe. Likewise, in The Iliad, the Trojans seeks shelter and protection behind the Skaian Gates. Hector, like Aeneas knows that the gates their people built are their best form of protection against the enemy.

The final symbolism apparent in both poems is the image of the shield. In both poems, the primary hero is given a shield made by a god to protection them in battle. In The Aeneid, Aeneas is given a shield made by Vulcan. The shield tells the future of Rome. Shown are all the victories of war and the height that Rome will achieve. Much like Aeneas, Achilles is given a shield made by the Greek god Hephaestus. The shield, unlike Aeneas's, does not show the height of the Achaeans, but it shows the life of Achaeans beyond the battles.

Virgil imitates Homer with The Aeneid; however he is sure not to copy Homer's ideas. Virgil simply expands upon Homer's ideas and writes his poem in his own words. He continues