Essay Sample on Rise of Roman Empire: Prophecy, Power, and Passion

Introduction

The rise and the fall of empires is often inspired by the idea that one race is higher than the other. The development of these notions is always based on a prophecy that speaks of a vast empire. In reading the prophecies of the Aeneid, one can be able to see how the Roman Empire was promised to emerge and how all came to happen. While the predictions seemed to show that the Roman Empire would be one of the greatest kingdoms in the world, the process of getting to the destination was not an easy one. One thing that that seems to come out is that a prophecy is just a dream. Through the journey of Aeneid to the underworld, one can see that these prophesy are only done not easily come by. The focus of this paper is to look at the reality that is presented in the prophecies. While the prophecies might give hope of the future, achieving them would often require commitment.

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First of all, prophecies are just a prediction and are subject to changes. There is often a view that once a prophecy has been given, then it must come to pass. However, from reading book one, it seems clear that the fulfilment of a prophecy depends on several things. For instance, Juno is aware of a prophecy that roman would become a vast empire in the Carthaginian (Tacitus, Annals 1.1). However, there is a tribe from the blood of Troy that can overthrow the Tyrian citadel and thus stop the prophecy from coming true. In this case, the fulfilment of this prophecy would require men that would be ready to get to war. Therefore, for a prophecy to come true people should commit to getting to it.

Besides, the Journey of Aeneas to the underworld and back seem to reveal something else about the reality of prophecy. When he reaches the underworld and meets Anchises, he is told of how great Roman Empire would become. However, the bizarre event is that when he has to leave, he uses the gate of a false dream (Tacitus, Annals 6.10). He was to choose between the gate of horn for trues shades and the one of the false vision. The idea that he is lead to leave the underworld through these gates seems to say much about the things that he saw there. These are simply dreams that might or might not happen in real life. Therefore the world of prophecies and visions might help to give one hope, but the real-life might offer something quite to the contrary.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reading thought the books it comes clear that prophecies are good. However, these prophecies can be nothing more than dreaming. In dreams, one can see great things about their future. However, the idea does not just come from the dream world and happen in the real world. There is a need for one to take significant steps towards achieving dreams. These seem to be the case that Aeneas has to experience when he goes to the underworld. The same instances seem to occur Juno with his understanding of the prophecy. They can offer hope of a better future, but the hope might never come to reality if individuals do not take an active role in trying to achieve their dreams. Therefore, prophecies are just dreams.

References

Perkell, C. G. (1999). Reading Vergil's Aeneid: An interpretive guide. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press.