Roman Virtues In Virgil's Aeneid

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Virgil’s Aeneid is renowned across the world as a superb piece of ancient literature. It is held in such high regard largely because of the meticulous way Virgil crafts his characters, as he emphasizes the sheer importance of the three Roman virtues: Gravitas (seriousness of purpose), Virtus (courage and strength), and Pietas (respect for the gods, as well as an overall sense of duty). He intertwines each of these virtues with his characters, and in the case of Aeneas, he particularly stresses Aeneas’s sense of Pietas. This virtue serves as the driving force behind most of Aeneas’s actions, as it is this principle that serves as the impetus for Aeneas to complete his ultimate task of reaching Italy. As the events of the poem progress, Aeneas’s