Aeneas: the Frodo of Epic Poetry

<p>Aeneas really, really does not want to be in this poem. As in, he would rather be dead. That's how the <em>Aeneid</em> starts out: when we're introduced to our hero he's a very unwilling participant in a grand plan for world history, and he doesn't feel remotely up to the task. Virgil might have felt the same way, crushed under the political and artistic pressure of telling a founding story for Rome's new era. Which makes this a perfect time to read the poem, as a troubled America gets ready to celebrate 250 years since its own founding.</p> <p> Use code HERETICS to get 10% off Field of Greens: <a href="https://fieldofgreens.com">fieldofgreens.com</a></p> <p>A helpful list of translations: <a href="https://foundinantiquity.com/2023/12/05/do-we-have-too-many-english-translations-of-the-aeneid/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20there%20is%20not,English%20translations%20of%20the%20Aeneid"> https://foundinantiquity.com/2023/12/05/do-we-have-too-many-english-translations-of-the-aeneid/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20there%20is%20not,English%20translations%20of%20the%20Aeneid</a>.</p> <p>Order Light of the Mind, Light of the World (and rate it five stars): <a href="https://a.co/d/2QccOfM">https://a.co/d/2QccOfM</a></p> <p>Mailbag: Check out <a href="https://a.co/d/h18Dk8u"><em>Omeros</em></a>, by Derek Walcott</p>