Juno's Aeneid: A Battle for Heroic Identity

A new interpretation of Vergil's epic poem "The Aeneid" suggests that it is a struggle between two incompatible versions of the Homeric hero. According to Joseph Farrell, the poem presents an epic contest between Juno, who wants to transform the poem into an Iliad of continuous Trojan persecution, and Vergil, who wants to create an Odyssey of successful homecoming. Farrell explores how this struggle reflects on the ethical legitimacy of Romes emperor, Caesar Augustus, and how it prompts the reader to make an urgent decision between incompatible possibilities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

This captivating book presents a groundbreaking interpretation of Vergil's epic poem, the Aeneid, as a fierce clash between two incompatible versions of the Homeric hero. Widely regarded by scholars as an attempt to merge Homer's Iliad and Odyssey into a unified epic, Joseph Farrell challenges this conventional perspective. Through meticulous analysis, Farrell unveils how the Aeneid stages an epic contest, pitting Vergil against the transgressive goddess Juno. Juno, driven by her desire to transform the poem into an Iliad of relentless Trojan persecution, challenges Vergil for the soul of his hero and the very essence of his poem.

Farrell delves into the intricate dynamics of this conflict, exploring how ancient critics perceived the flexible Odysseus as the ideal leader, while censuring the hero of the Iliad, the intransigent Achilles, as a flawed one. He traces the ongoing battle over which type of leader Aeneas will emerge throughout the poem, shedding light on how this struggle reflects differently on the ethical legitimacy of Rome's emperor, Caesar Augustus.

By reorienting the Aeneid in this novel manner, Farrell unveils the profound purpose of the poem: to present the reader with a pressing dilemma between mutually exclusive possibilities, creating a sense of uncertainty about whether the poem serves as a celebratory tribute to Augustus or a melancholic reflection on the discontents of a troubled age. This thought-provoking exploration of Vergil's masterpiece offers a fresh perspective on one of the most influential works of ancient literature, challenging readers to engage with its complex themes and ethical dilemmas.

Weight: 758g
Dimension: 163 x 243 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691211169