Relation of mortals, gods and fate in classical rome

[Das Bruce]

As portrayed in the Aenied. I REALLY suck at english rich topics like classics. So before I print this ( its due in a few hours) I thought I'd post it here for some opinions. Task one is explore the relations, task 2 is explore 3 characters who were destined to die, and task 3 is a summary. Be nasty...

Task 1.

In this essay I hope to convey clearly the relationship of the Roman gods and fate in classical Rome as it is portrayed in such texts as Virgil's Aeneid. However to discuss the relationship between the two we must first define them as separate entities.
By this period a large number of the Romans original gods, most of whom were barely more developed than personality void, genderless spirits, had been either influenced or replaced entirely by the personalities of Greek Gods. Key gods in the Aeneid are; Jupiter, often referred to as Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter Highest Greatest), was king of the gods and supreme ruler of the universe, his wife Juno, queen of the gods, for whom Carthage is one of her favourite cities, Venus, their daughter and mother of Aeneas, goddess of love and beauty, and her son, Cupid, god of Love.
Fate in ancient Rome was though of not dissimilarly as it is today, an inescapable force that drives people and even gods to a predestined goal, usually defined in a prophecy or vision. The Romans also thought of Jupiter as the will of fate.
In the Aeneid the gods are regularly shown to try and attempt to avoid fate which has been prophesied. Notably in the first book Juno attempts to prevent the foundation of Rome and hence its war with Carthage, her favourite city, by unleashing a storm on Aeneas and his comrades, she is thwarted when Neptune, god of the sea, hears of it and calms the seas and grants his comrades, even those who's ships sunk, save passage to a bay outside of Carthage. Juno was also bitter about Paris Choosing Venus over her for the title of most beautiful goddess.
Despite this and other attempts attempts to stop Aeneas' eventual founding of Rome, such as his 'marriage' to Dido, conceived by Juno to force Aeneas to remain in Carthage, he continues on the path that has been laid out before him with a sense of duty. This sense of duty, or pietas as the Romans called it, is one of the central themes in the poem which has been described as nationalistic epic. During the first century BC, the current Emperor, Augustus (Octavian), was instituting the restoration of traditional Roman values and commissioned this poem to help achieve that. A sense of duty was key to holding the empire together after the collapse of the republic and years of civil war. Aeneas was clearly meant as a role model for all citizens. Faithful, strong, and willing to sacrifice everything to fulfill fate and for the betterment of Rome.

Task 2.

In the Aeneid several characters were 'destined to die.' These people must die for the story to move on and destiny to be fulfilled. Notable characters include Palinurus whose death is offered by Venus to Neptune to ensure the safe passage of Aeneas to Italy. Somnus, god of sleep, is sent to make him go to sleep and fall overboard, where he washed up on the shore and was killed by natives. The death of Turnus is a good example of even Jupiter, the king of the gods, being unable to escape fate. Turnus is Juno's favourite mortal and she pleads to Jupiter to save him, to which Jupiter relents but points out that he is fated to die and that it can only be delayed not prevented. Turnus later kills Pallus, who had bonded strongly with Aeneas and become like a second son to him, throwing Aeneas into an uncontrollable rage in which he finally slays Turnus despite his pleas for mercy. The death of Turnus signals the end of the struggle for a new home and the fulfillment of destiny.

Task 3.

The relationship of the Roman people and gods with fate depended entirely on what your particular fate was. Those destined to for death, dishonour or loss without a sense of pietas, usually non-Trojans, fought it tooth and nail, for example Juno's numerous attempts to stop Aeneas from fulfilling his destiny, which included the destruction of her favourite city and slaying of her favourite mortal, such as inspiring the women to set fire to his ships during Anchises' funeral games. Those destined for glory and great deeds did there darnedest to fulfill their destiny, the prime example of which is the protagonist Aeneas, meant to be a model for every Roman. Ultimately their exploits only serve to delay their destinies or alter how the final destination is arrived at.

[Drone_Fragger]

I would help, But I have no Idea what the Aenid is though. So.. um... Yes. its good.

[Felix the Cat]

I wish you had given us some more time; I like editing things and have an excellent command of English... but I have to go right now.

[unpossible]

I wish you had given us some more time; I like editing things and have an excellent command of English... but I have to go right now.

lol @ plagiarism

[Candleman]

....Key gods in the Aeneid are: Jupiter, often referred to as Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter Highest Greatest), was king of the gods and supreme ruler of the universe; his wife Juno, queen of the gods, for whom Carthage is one of her favourite cities; Venus, their daughter and mother of Aeneas, goddess of love and beauty; and her son, Cupid, god of Love.....

I just changed punctuation.
That's all so far. I'll keep reading.
(unless of course it's due already)

[Michilus_nimbus]

I translated some fragments of the Aeneid in my Latin class, and read book XI in the Dutch translation of Anton Van Wilderode, along with an introduction to the general storyline and quite some information on the Aeneid's structure (imitatio/contents)
I don't have the time right now to go into details, but here are some thoughts:

- Task 1:
I don't think Jupiter is what Virgilius meant with "fatum". I think he means that the gods themselves are subservient to this "fatum", clearing the way for Octavianus' propaganda machine: it's just fate he became a tyrant, sweeping away the modern republic. Rome's fate was something even the gods couldn't control. It's worth noting though that Vergilius actually believed this shit. He was one of the last Etruscans, who were known to be really superstitious.
Also, wasn't it Venus who drove Aeneas to Carthago instead of Juno? might be wrong though, it's been a while.

My thoughts are probably coming in to late anyway, but it doesn't matter. I don't know exactly what your teacher expected from you, but I think you've done a good job content-wise.