key term - Achates

Definition

Achates is a character in Vergil's Aeneid, serving as Aeneas' close companion and loyal friend. He embodies the ideals of loyalty and bravery, often supporting Aeneas in his challenges and adventures throughout the epic. In the context of the Aeneid, particularly in Book 1, lines 494-578, Achates plays a crucial role as Aeneas navigates the complexities of his mission to establish a new homeland for the Trojans.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Achates is often depicted as a voice of reason and practicality, contrasting with Aeneas' more heroic and sometimes impulsive nature.
2. He is present during key moments in the Aeneid, including the arrival in Carthage, where he helps Aeneas assess the situation upon their arrival.
3. In Book 1, lines 494-578, Achates aids Aeneas by providing support and encouragement as they encounter challenges posed by Juno's wrath.
4. Achates’ unwavering loyalty is a significant theme that highlights the importance of friendship and camaraderie in times of adversity.
5. His character also serves to illustrate the ideals of Roman virtues such as fidelity, honor, and bravery, reflecting the values that Vergil sought to promote.

Review Questions

• How does Achates' character contribute to the development of Aeneas in the Aeneid?
  • Achates significantly contributes to Aeneas' character development by embodying loyalty and practicality. As a close companion, he provides emotional support and guidance during critical moments, especially when Aeneas faces uncertainty or doubt. This dynamic enhances Aeneas' heroic qualities while reinforcing the importance of friendship and solidarity on their journey.
• In what ways does Achates help illuminate the themes of loyalty and duty within the narrative of the Aeneid?
  • Achates illustrates the themes of loyalty and duty by consistently standing by Aeneas through their trials. His unwavering support reflects the deep bonds formed through shared hardship and showcases how loyalty aids Aeneas in fulfilling his destined mission. This relationship serves as a counterbalance to the tensions brought on by external forces, like Juno's animosity towards Trojans.
• Evaluate Achates’ role within the larger narrative framework of divine intervention in the Aeneid and its impact on Aeneas’ journey.
  • Achates plays a vital role within the narrative framework of divine intervention by providing a human perspective on the actions of gods like Juno. While divine forces manipulate events around them, Achates' steadfastness offers grounding for Aeneas amid chaos. This dynamic emphasizes how human relationships can offer resilience against divine whims, ultimately shaping Aeneas' destiny and influencing his decisions along their quest for a new homeland.

Related terms

Aeneas:

The hero of the Aeneid, Aeneas is a Trojan prince tasked with leading his people to safety after the fall of Troy and ultimately founding what will become Rome.

Dido:

The queen of Carthage who becomes romantically involved with Aeneas, representing themes of love, duty, and destiny in the epic.

Divine Intervention: The involvement of gods and goddesses in human affairs, a recurring theme in the Aeneid that influences the fate of characters like Aeneas and Achates.