Augustus’ Divine Authority and Vergil’s “Aeneid”
By Sabine Grebe
Abstract: As is well known, Vergil’s Aeneid contains a political message. Scholars have interpreted this message in two opposing directions, often labeled as “anti-Augustan” and “pro-Augustan”…Despite the pessimistic view of the Harvard school and of Putnam, a strong case can be made that Vergil celebrates and, more importantly, legitimizes Augustus’ power as an autocrat. Augustus himself considered authority (auctoritas) as the basis of his rule. This essay claims that the Aeneid may be read as such a legitimizing effort. The Aeneid locates the origins of authority in the divine and thereby ensures, at least in Roman culture of Augustus’ time, a legitimate role for Augustus as primus inter pares.
Published in Vergilius, Vol. 50 (2004), pg. 35-62