Collana | Antichistica
Miscellanea | ΦΑΙΔΙΜΟΣ ΕΚΤΩΡ
Capitolo | 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

Presentato: 17 Maggio 2021 | Accettato: 23 Giugno 2021 | Pubblicato 16 Dicembre 2021 | Lingua: en

Keywords AphroditeCyprusimpersonationCaesarionCarthage and Alexandria in the AeneidBody doublesCleopatraRoman epic and politicsVenusCivil wars at RomeAugustusVirgil


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