Abstract
In Vergil’s Aeneid, Anchises, like Aeneas, may be seen as a pattern of Augustus,as his survey of his progeny reflects Augustus’ censorial activity(Augustus conducted his first census, without holding the office of censor,in 28 B.C.E.). This theory is supported by: verbal cues alluding to Rome’stopography and the location for the upper-class recognitio equitum; technicalterms used to describe Anchises’ activity as he assesses his descendants;Anchises’ hortatory and monitory speech, similar to that of censors knownfrom other literary works; and Vergil’s choice of heroes to represent therepublic, most of whom were censors or from censorial families.
Disciplines
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity | Classical Literature and Philology | Classics
Recommended Citation
“Anchises Censorius: Vergil, Augustus, and the Census of 28 B.C.E.” Illinois Classical Studies 37 (2012) 121-40.
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Classical Literature and Philology Commons
Comments
Originally published in Illinois Classical Studies, No. 37 (2012), pp. 121-140Published by: University of Illinois PressURL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/illiclasstud.37.0121 .