Aeneas is a survivor of the siege and founder of Rome. Aeneas essentially started from the bottom and worked his way up to the top throughout his journey. And although he is a pawn of destiny, Aeneas is the face of an epic hero, like many others we have already talked about: Hector, Achilles and Odysseus. He seems to bear the features of these three men. Furthermore, these traits are directly related to Virgil's implication of pietas, severitas, and gravitas, all of which are embodied in Aeneas. Aeneas is comparable to Hector in pietas (devotion). “I am Aeneas, devoted to the gods of my city” (1, 13, 460). Much like Hector in the Iliad, Aeneas has a clear devotion to the gods and their will as we see throughout. through The Aeneid where Aeneas does many things that we may question because he seems like a fool, but he actually considers loyalty to the gods and that their will is most important. In addition to Odysseus' severitas (severity), Aeneas takes a strong stand against the trials he faces and overcomes them. And just like Achilles gravitas (dignity) in war. “In great Sila, or on the summit of Taburnus, two bulls faced each other in mortal combat. The guards retreat in fear, and the cattle remain silent, the heifers wondering who will be master of the whole herd” (12, 189, 861). The thunderous fight between Aeneas and Turnus speaks of the dignity of both men. let them face each other face to face in honor. Aeneas embodies these three themes of The Aeneid, as well as many astonishing character traits: including unparalleled willpower and a phenomenal view of the world. This thus makes Aeneas a perfect catalyst for an epic hero, and is also the reason why Virgil considered Aeneas the main character. And separates The Aeneid from Homer's Iliad and Odyssey....... middle of paper ...... or such use... With these words on her lips, her companions saw her s “collapsed on the sword, saw the blade foaming with blood and his hands spattered” (4, 72, 749). Finally, Aeneas is a pawn, not for the wrong reasons, but to display the characteristics of a glorified Roman. The most important thing is obedience and willingness to the gods. The number of times this phrase appears in The Aeneid is overwhelming; almost every specific turning point in history is associated with "by the will of the gods" in some sense of the words. The best example, as previously discussed, when Aeneas leaves Dido and what seemed to be an unbreakable love, was just as easily shattered by the will of the gods and their word that Aeneas should pursue his destiny. As well as many human qualities of courage, leadership and determination, all qualities that every Roman should possess; and all the qualities that Aeneas demonstrates.