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Chapter 5 - History and Revelation in Virgil’s Underworld

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2021

Denis Feeney
Introduction by
Stephen Hinds
Denis Feeney
Affiliation:
Princeton University, New Jersey
Stephen Hinds
Affiliation:
University of Washington
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Summary

The prophecy of future Roman greatness that Aeneas hears from his father Anchises in Book 6 of Virgil’s Aeneid is not mere triumphalism, but shows the strong influence both of Plato’s apocalyptic myths in the Republic and of Cicero’s adaptations of Plato in his Somnium Scipionis. The vision of future Roman history is severely qualified when viewed through the perspective of philosophical scepticism about human glory and worldly achievement.

Keywords

VirgilCiceroPlatoAeneasAnchisesUnderworld
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Chapter
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Explorations in Latin Literature , pp. 91 - 116
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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