Story Summary
Discover Aeneas Visits the Underworld, where the Trojan hero journeys through the realm of the dead to learn his destiny and the future glory of the Roman Empire.
Guided by the Sibyl of Cumae, the Trojan hero Aeneas sought entrance to the Underworld to consult his deceased father, Anchises. To enter, he first had to find a sacred Golden Bough in a dark forest, an offering for Proserpina. With the branch in hand, he descended into the cavernous depths of Avernus. They crossed the River Styx, where the ferryman Charon reluctantly took them across after seeing the golden token. Passing the three-headed Cerberus and the Mourning Fields—where Aeneas wept at the silent shade of his lost love, Dido—they reached the Elysian Fields. There, Anchises revealed a magnificent vision: the future souls of Rome, a lineage of kings and heroes yet to be born. Reassured of his destiny, Aeneas departed through the Ivory Gate, returning to the world of the living with the resolve to found the greatest empire the world had ever known.
The Moral
True leadership requires the courage to face one's past and the devotion to place duty and destiny above personal grief.
“Easy is the descent to Avernus; but to retrace one's steps and return to the upper air—that is the toil.”
Fun Fact
Virgil’s description of the Underworld in the Aeneid was the primary inspiration for Dante Alighieri’s vision of Hell in his 'Divine Comedy.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Aeneas Visits the Underworld?
The story emphasizes 'pietas,' or duty. It teaches that a great leader must honor the past and sacrifice personal desires for the sake of a higher destiny and the common good.
Why did Aeneas need to visit the Underworld?
He sought the counsel of his father, Anchises, to understand the trials ahead and to see the future of the people he was destined to lead in Italy.
What is the significance of the Golden Bough?
The Golden Bough was a magical branch that served as a passport. It proved that Aeneas was chosen by fate and allowed him to enter and leave the realm of the dead safely.
Who guides Aeneas through the Underworld?
The Sibyl of Cumae, a powerful priestess and prophetess of Apollo, serves as his guide, protecting him and explaining the various regions of the afterlife.
What happens when Aeneas meets Dido in the Underworld?
Aeneas encounters Dido in the Mourning Fields and tries to apologize for leaving her, but she refuses to speak to him, turning away in silent, eternal resentment.
What are the two gates of sleep Aeneas encounters?
There is the Gate of Horn, for true shadows, and the Ivory Gate, for false dreams. Curiously, Aeneas exits through the Ivory Gate, a detail that has sparked centuries of literary debate.
