Because of sickness I have missed the last couple of classes. So I’m not sure about the accuracy of my discussion, in reference to The Aenied. However I will make an attempt at this blog. I have an observation to discuss today. I noticed a key word in Book 6 of The Aeneid. Through the past semester we have been discussing many philosophy topics within Ancient Literature, but one of the topics we have discussed most heavily is justice. J- U-S-T-I-C-E. How I have enjoyed these discussions and debates about justice!
Justice has probably been one of my favorite topics. You can imagine, now, why I practically jumped when I saw the word in our most recent assignment. I took note. I am unsure what Aeneid contains on justice other than the books I’ve read so far, however I found the following very interesting: “Phlegyas in his misery teaches all souls His lesson, thundering out amid the gloom: ‘Be warned and study justice, not to scorn the immortal gods.” (Bk. 6, Ln 827-830) The Sibyl is telling Aeneas about the punishment of the immortals that committed terrible crimes or didn’t sacrifice to the gods. Though the lines are such a small reference, it highlights that justice has become important. This glimpse has little influence on the storyline but apparently justice was pretty important. After all, Phlegyas was being punished for not having it. “…teaches all souls his lesson” He had to, “learn a lesson,” as the cliché goes. I’m not sure where he went wrong. To the gods justice was so important they appointed him to teach and instill it through his deathly horrors. This makes me realize that we have come to a point, in the epic, where justice is now important and worth mentioning to the author.
Now let’s look back. In Iliad, we can all agree that there was very, very little Justice in the work. As we go through the writings of Aeschylus we see more and more justice showing through. Finally in The Eumenides we see Athena set up a trial-by-jury court system in Greece. Now in Virgil’s writing, Justice and standards are clearly established and important. Look at the progress! That is surprisingly exciting to me even though it’s just books! We have journeyed from the Iliad with no Justice, to Athena and the establishment of the court in The Eumenides, to The Aeneid, and later, The Roman justice system. Not to mention the discussion of justice from Socrates and Plato. How justice has grown!
P.S. I commented on Callie's post.
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