Classical Mythology

(Marvins-Underground-K-12) #1

THE TROJAN SAGA AND THE ILIAD 479


Aeneas Carrying Anchises. Attic red-figure krater, ca. 460 B.c.; height Y7^3 /± in. The econ-
omy of the painting contrasts with Barocci's equally dramatic sketch. Ascanius is shown
as an adult warrior, looking back at Aeneas, while Anchises looks back toward Creusa
(on the left) and the Greek warriors. (Boston, Museum of Fine Arts.)


Yet Aeneas escaped, taking with him his father, Anchises (who carried the
images of the city's gods in his hands), and his son, Ascanius (also called lulus).
His wife, Creusa, started with him and was lost to Aeneas' sight. Only her ghost
appeared to him, foretelling his destiny and encouraging him to travel to a new
world. The scene of Aeneas leaving Troy is heavy with symbolism, and it is with
hope for the future that Aeneas, burdened with the past, leaves the doomed city
(Aeneid 2. 707-711, 721-725):


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'Then come, dear father, sit on my shoulders; I will carry you, the load will not
weigh me down. Whatever chance may fall, we will share a common danger
and a common salvation. Let little lulus walk beside me and let my wife follow.
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