How Does Homer Portray Aeneas In The Iliad Versus Virgil?

Aeneas’s prophecies in 'The Iliad' are like hidden threads woven into the epic’s tapestry, hinting at a destiny far grander than the Trojan War. Homer drops these breadcrumbs early—like when Poseidon saves Aeneas from Achilles, calling him 'fated to survive' so his lineage can rule Troy. It’s wild how casually this gets tossed into a battle scene, almost like an afterthought, yet it’s a seismic spoiler for anyone who knows Roman myth. The gods keep nudging him toward survival, not because he’s the star here (that’s Achilles’ gig), but because he’s got a VIP ticket to founding Rome. Even Apollo calls him 'destined to escape,' which feels like the ancient equivalent of plot armor. What’s fascinating is how these prophecies clash with Aeneas’s role in 'The Iliad.' He’s a B-lister compared to Hector or Paris, yet his fate overshadows theirs. The prophecy isn’t about glory in Troy’s fall—it’s about what comes after. There’s irony in how his survival hinges on being overlooked, like a stealth mode for destiny. Later, in Virgil’s 'Aeneid,' these snippets get retroactively charged with meaning, making 'The Iliad' feel like a prequel to Rome’s origin story. It’s a masterclass in narrative seeding—Homer’s audience might’ve known the legends, but modern readers get this cool 'aha' moment connecting the dots.

Aeneas in the 'Iliad' feels like a supporting character with untapped potential, a Trojan hero who’s honorable but overshadowed by the likes of Hector and Achilles. Homer paints him as resilient—blessed by the gods, yet human in his struggles. There’s a moment where Poseidon saves him from Achilles, hinting at a greater destiny, but it’s just a glimpse. The 'Iliad' doesn’t dive deep into his inner world; he’s more of a symbol of Trojan endurance. Fast forward to the 'Aeneid,' and Virgil cranks up the volume on everything Homer left ambiguous. Aeneas becomes the tortured, duty-bound leader carrying the weight of Rome’s future. His piety isn’t just a trait; it’s his entire identity, clashing with personal desires like his love for Dido. The 'Aeneid' reimagines him as a man haunted by loss but driven by fate, a far cry from the 'Iliad’s' battlefield foil. What’s striking is how Virgil weaponizes Aeneas’s flaws. In the 'Iliad,' he’s almost sterile—no major mistakes, no deep conflicts. But in the 'Aeneid,' his decisions ripple with consequences. Abandoning Dido isn’t just tragic; it’s morally messy, showing how duty erodes his humanity. The underworld scene with Anchises adds layers too, contrasting the 'Iliad’s' focus on kleos (glory) with the 'Aeneid’s' obsession with pietas (duty). Virgil’s Aeneas isn’t just a hero; he’s a political statement, a bridge between Troy’s ashes and Rome’s empire. The 'Iliad' gives us a warrior; the 'Aeneid' gives us a legend.

Aeneas in 'The Iliad' is this fascinating underdog who somehow manages to survive the chaos of Troy while being overshadowed by bigger names like Hector and Achilles. Homer paints him as this resilient figure, almost like the universe itself is keeping him alive for something greater. There’s this moment where Poseidon straight-up says Aeneas isn’t destined to die yet because he’s got a future—founding Rome, though Homer doesn’t spell that out. It’s wild how he’s both a warrior and a symbol of continuity. He fights bravely but never recklessly, unlike Achilles, who’s all rage and glory. Aeneas feels more human, more grounded, like someone trying to do their best in a war that’s tearing everything apart. His role is subtle but crucial. He’s not the star, but he’s the thread that ties 'The Iliad' to later myths, especially Virgil’s 'Aeneid.' In battle scenes, he’s often the guy who steps up when others fall back, like when he nearly duels Achilles but gets saved by the gods. That scene’s a microcosm of his whole deal—divine favor mixed with mortal struggle. What sticks with me is how he represents survival, not just as a physical act but as a legacy. The Trojans lose the war, but Aeneas carries their story forward, literally and metaphorically. It’s like Homer’s hinting that stories outlive battles, and Aeneas is the vessel for that idea.

Aeneas’s journey after the fall of Troy is one of those epic survival stories that just hooks you. Unlike most Trojan heroes who get wiped out, Aeneas becomes this symbol of resilience. The 'Iliad' barely scratches the surface, but you can see the seeds of his destiny—especially when Poseidon casually drops that he’s fated to survive and lead the Trojans’ legacy. Homer leaves him mid-battle, but the real drama unfolds later. Imagine carrying your elderly father on your back while dragging your kid through flaming ruins, all because some goddess mom whispered, 'Run, my son, your story isn’t over.' That’s peak heroic material right there. Post-'Iliad,' Aeneas becomes the ultimate wanderer. Virgil’s 'Aeneid' picks up where Homer leaves off, turning him into a refugee with divine homework: found a new city that’ll eventually birth Rome. The contrast between his 'Iliad' role—a minor noble—and his 'Aeneid' glow-up is wild. He’s no longer just another soldier; he’s the guy who weathers storms, ditches Dido (heartbreaking, by the way), and even journeys to the Underworld. His arc feels like a video game protagonist unlocking his true purpose after the tutorial level (Trojan War). The 'Iliad' sets the stage, but Aeneas’s real trials—loss, love, and legacy—are what make him legendary.

Aeneas' role in the 'Iliad' is often overshadowed by bigger names like Achilles or Hector, but his battles are pivotal in showing his resilience and divine favor. The first major clash is his duel with Achilles in Book 20, where he’s saved by Poseidon because the gods still have plans for him. It’s wild how he stands his ground against the best warrior of the Greeks, even though he knows he’s outmatched. The scene is intense—Aeneas throws a massive boulder at Achilles, who dodges it like it’s nothing, and just when it seems hopeless, Poseidon whisks him away. This moment foreshadows Aeneas’ destiny beyond Troy. Another key fight is his skirmish with Diomedes in Book 5. Diomedes is on a god-powered rampage, and Aeneas gets wrecked when Diomedes hurls a spear that nearly kills him. Aphrodite, his mom, swoops in to save him but gets wounded herself, which is both tragic and kinda funny. Aeneas is later healed by Apollo and returns to battle, showing that divine intervention keeps him in the game. These battles highlight his survival against impossible odds, setting up his future as Rome’s legendary founder.

Aeneas in 'The Iliad' is like a hidden gem with a destiny far beyond the Trojan War. Homer paints him as this noble warrior, second only to Hector, but what’s wild is how his story doesn’t end there. Virgil’s 'Aeneid' later picks up the threads, making him the legendary founder of Rome’s precursor, Lavinium. It’s fascinating how two epics collide—Aeneas starts as a side character in Greek myth and becomes the heart of Roman identity. The Iliad drops subtle hints, like Poseidon saving him because he’s fated for greatness, but it’s Virgil who fully unfolds that prophecy. The connection between Aeneas and Rome isn’t just a retcon; it’s a masterstroke of cultural appropriation. Rome needed a myth to rival Greece’s heroes, and Aeneas, the Trojan survivor, was perfect. His piety and resilience in 'The Iliad' foreshadow the values Rome would later idolize. The way Homer’s Aeneas dodges death feels symbolic—like he’s being preserved for something bigger. It’s almost meta how his minor role in Greece’s story becomes the cornerstone of another civilization’s epic. The 'Aeneid' ties it all together, but 'The Iliad' plants the seed: this guy isn’t just another soldier; he’s a future king.

Aeneas is one of those characters in 'The Iliad' who doesn’t get the spotlight as much as Achilles or Hector, but his presence is like a quiet storm brewing in the background. What makes him stand out is his destiny—unlike the other heroes who are doomed to fall, Aeneas is marked by the gods to survive and found Rome. That alone gives him a unique weight in the story. Homer treats him with this weird mix of reverence and distance, like he’s too important to kill off but not central enough to the Trojan War’s immediate drama. It’s fascinating how he’s both a warrior and a symbol of future glory. His fights are brutal, but there’s always this sense of divine protection hovering over him. Poseidon saves him from Achilles, not out of love, but because he’s fated for something greater. That moment says so much—Aeneas isn’t just another soldier; he’s a chess piece in the gods’ long game. Compared to Hector’s tragic heroism or Achilles’ rage, Aeneas feels like a different kind of epic figure: one who carries the weight of legacy rather than personal glory. His importance isn’t in his deeds in 'The Iliad' but in what he represents beyond it.

Aeneas pops up in 'The Iliad' as this underdog warrior who somehow keeps surviving when all the bigger names are dropping like flies. Homer gives him these moments where you think, 'Wait, why isn’t this guy more famous?' Like in Book 5, when he’s nearly killed by Diomedes but gets saved by Aphrodite and Apollo—literally divine intervention. The gods clearly have plans for him, which makes sense since he later becomes the star of 'The Aeneid.' His fight with Achilles in Book 20 is another standout. Achilles is this unstoppable force, but Aeneas holds his own until Poseidon swoops in to rescue him. It’s wild how Homer plants these seeds for his future legacy. What’s cool about Aeneas in 'The Iliad' is how he’s framed as this resilient survivor. Even when he’s losing, there’s this sense he’s destined for something bigger. His piety and leadership shine through, especially compared to hotheads like Achilles or Agamemnon. The scene where he carries his dad Anchises out of Troy (though that’s more 'Aeneid' territory) feels like a payoff to these Iliad glimpses. It’s like Homer’s saying, 'Hey, keep an eye on this guy—he’s gonna matter.'