Antiquity Studies

Series | Antiquity Studies
Edited book | ΦΑΙΔΙΜΟΣ ΕΚΤΩΡ
Chapter | A Night in Cyprus (Verg. Aen. 1.657-697)

A Night in Cyprus (Verg. Aen. 1.657-697)

Abstract

In a short and unprecedented episode of Book 1, the Aeneid has Venus swap Iulus and Cupid: the goddess transfers Iulus to Cyprus for one night only, and has Cupid impersonate Iulus at the court of Carthage. This paper examines the reasons why the model of Cleopatra and Caesarion is relevant to the episode, in particular via the political significance of the Cypriot location and the reference to Cleopatra’s visual propaganda.


Open access

Submitted: May 17, 2021 | Accepted: June 23, 2021 | Published Dec. 16, 2021 | Language: en

Keywords Body doublesAugustusCaesarionVirgilAphroditeCyprusimpersonationCarthage and Alexandria in the AeneidCivil wars at RomeVenusCleopatraRoman epic and politics


read this chapter