How Did Virgil Criticize Augustus In The Aeneid

Authors tend to put their own opinions on the subject in their literary works; some do it subtly and others prefer to impose their opinion on their readers. When the author is retelling the history of a civilization, they often criticize or support the government or ruling authority. Both Virgil’s epic, the Aeneid and Ovid’s Metamorphoses are considered a commentary on the Roman Empire and specifically the reign of Augustus. Virgil uses minor details as well as Aeneas’ deteriorating humanity to criticize Octavian Augustus, and the way Augustus established his rule. Ovid uses ironic stories to give legitimacy to Augustus’ rule and some of his moral legislation. Octavian Augustus employed Virgil to write an epic to glorify Rome and its history.

Aeneas’ humanity deteriorates throughout the epic and it has reached its low point once he kills Turnus, leader of the Rutulians. After knocking Turnus to the ground, Aeneas “paused on the hilt of his sword” (The essential Aeneid, page 196). Virgil’s purpose of adding this is to shows that Aeneas does have some humanity left. However, once Aeneas notices that Turnus is wearing “The belt of young Pallas, whom Turnus had killed” (The essential Aeneid, page 196), Aeneas lost control and in a fit of rage killed Turnus. One way to interpret this scene is as a heroic act to avenge the death of a beloved friend (as in Homer’s epic Iliad), but it could also be interpreted as Aeneas losing the last part of his humanity. And by having Aeneas representing Augustus, Vigil is using Aeneas’ loss of humanity to describe the true nature of

“The Deification of Caesar” the most pro-Augustan section in the entire epic. Ovid discusses at length how great Julius Caesar and Octavian Augustus are and even calls Julius Caesar a “god is his own city” (Metamorphoses, page 183). However, Ovid’s praise for Julius Caesar is nothing compared to the praise he has for Augustus. Ovid states “for in all Caesar has done, nothing is greater than this, that he became the father of our Emperor” (Metamorphoses, page 183). Ovid concludes his praise by saying “and after our own time, when Augustus, Abandoning the world he rules, enters High heaven and hears our prayers from above” (Metamorphoses, page 187). This ending is a clear indicator that Ovid is a supporter of Augustus. Some may argue that Ovid added this part just to appease Octavian Augustus, who definitely censors his critics throughout the empire. However, with the addition of other pro-Augustan aspects throughout this epic it is clear to argue that Ovid wrote Metamorphoses to give validity to Augustus’ moral