Vergil's Aeneid is reinterpreted as a contest between the heroic ideals of Achilles and Odysseus, rather than a mere combination of their narratives. Joseph Farrell posits that Juno's influence drives the poem towards an Iliadic tragedy, while the narrator seeks an Odyssean comedy. By examining ancient ethical philosophy, he highlights the distinct traits of the two heroes, arguing that Vergil's work reflects a deeper struggle for the identity of its hero and implications for Caesar Augustus's regime. This analysis offers fresh insights into Vergil's intentions and the political context of his epic.
