Answer:
The Aeneid is a work that brings several new elements to the table despite heavily borrowing from Homer's epics. The most significant addition that it brings to the epic genre is its focus on Roman imperialism, which is not evident in Homer's works. Virgil's epic constructs the idea of a Roman Empire that would last for centuries, and it does this by depicting Aeneas, the epic's hero, as an ideal Roman leader.
In the Aeneid, Virgil uses Aeneas' journey from Troy to Italy to present an idealized vision of the Roman Empire. By placing Aeneas at the center of the narrative, Virgil portrays Rome as the destination of the Trojans' journey, thus linking the epic's hero with the future of the Roman Empire. Additionally, Virgil's epic emphasizes the idea of Rome's divine destiny, which is a crucial element of the Roman Empire's ideology. This is evident when the gods and goddesses of the Greco-Roman pantheon intervene in Aeneas' journey, steering him towards Italy, where he will eventually found Rome.
Furthermore, the Aeneid also critiques the Roman ideal, with the character of Dido being a prime example. Dido represents the Phoenician city of Carthage, which was a powerful rival of Rome. The character's portrayal in the Aeneid can be seen as a critique of the Roman Empire's values, as Dido's downfall is a result of her love for Aeneas. This portrayal may be an attempt by Virgil to highlight the dangers of imperialism and the cost that it can have on other cultures.
In conclusion, the Aeneid brings several new elements to the epic genre, most notably the focus on Roman imperialism. The epic's portrayal of Aeneas as the ideal Roman leader and Rome's divine destiny in the epic participates in the construction of a Roman Empire ideal. However, the critique of the Roman ideal, through the character of Dido, suggests that Virgil was aware of the dangers of imperialism and the need for caution in constructing an empire.
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