the post-Homeric hero

• Aeneas has already achieved fame by the time the epic begins
• he recognises himself on the temple sculpture and Dido has heard of him
• 'who could fail to know about Aeneas and his ancestry?

  '
• he no longer needs or wants to pursue kleos, and is a reluctant story-teller
• Odysseus introduces himself with 'the whole world knows of my strategems'
• Aeneas tells the 'Spartan huntress' that he is Aeneas 'known for my devotion'
• he defines himself in terms of his obligations to the gods, his family and his people
• his pietas is the essential difference between the Homeric and Roman hero
• he is not fighting for his own glory, but for his people
• Homeric heroes draw attention to themselves, but Aeneas is self-effacing
• far from showing emotion, he seems to suppress his feelings to the point of appearing hard
• unlike Odysseus, he remains silent, even when there is a need for words
• thinks of what he owes to his heirs, not himself, when he acts
• prays to the gods to get their approval before acting, and makes offerings to them after victory
• acts in accordance with fate, not his own inclinations
• acts for the good of the community
• is reluctant to fight
• shows courage, but not excessive anger