Is Fate In The Aeneid

Aeneas is destined to sail to Italy and find the great empire of Rome after the destruction of Troy. His fate was prophesied by Jupiter, the father of men and Gods. Jupiter reassures Venus, the mother of Aeneas, who is worried that the Trojans will get destroyed at sea. Jupiter says, “Aeneas will wage a long, costly war in Italy, crush defiant tribes and build high city walls for his people there and found the rule of Law” (1.314-317). Then two of his descendants, Romulus and Remus, will then find Rome, the mightiest empire in the world. Aeneas cannot be any more honest with Dido. The fates had deemed his to find Rome and there is no stopping him from doing so.

Through all the peril that Aeneas and the Trojans face on their journey to Italy, they still make it because it is fate. In Book 3, after

After Jupiter learns of love relationship between Aeneas and Dido, he dispatches Mercury to remind Aeneas of his destiny. Mercury says, “If such a glorious destiny cannot fire your spirit, [if you will not shoulder the task for your own fame,] at least remember Ascanius rising into his prime, the hopes you lodge in Iulus, your only heir - you owe him Italy’s realm, the land of Rome” (4.339-343)! Aeneas has no other choice but to set sail for Italy. If it was Aeneas choice, “If the fates had left me free to live my life, to arrange my own affairs of my own free will, Troy is the city, first of all, that I’d safeguard, Troy and all that's left of my people whom I cherish” (4.424-427). If Aeneas had a choice, it would be to restore Troy to it’s former glory, but he doesn’t. He has no choice but to “seize on Italy’s noble land, his Lycan lots say ‘Italy!’ There lies my love, there lies my homeland now” (431-433). Because the fate and will of the God’s is stronger than anything else, even the love Dido has for Aeneas, I believe this was a convincing case for Aeneas to leave and sensible way for him to tell