fundamental level. In addition they have different motivations behind the pieces. For an example, the two common ideas woven into the Odyssey and the Iliad are custom and recklessness. The gods, to keep order handed down customs. When men were reckless, tempting the wrath of the gods with hubris, they invited retribution and chaos by exalting themselves. In fact, if the laws of the gods were unquestioningly followed, life had the potential for eternal goodness. In contrast, the Aeneid advocate upon a type of anger and loyalty to the state. When mentioning anger, it is the struggle that lies within every person, and needing to be restrained in order for civilization to work. This idea gives rise to the idea of loyalty to country, or patriotism. Thus this encouraged the sacrifice of self-interest in favor for the country. Which goes further to explain the Aeneid’s political flavoring. Moreover, in some absolute sense Odysseus belongs at home on Ithaca, and once there he can remain there indefinitely in safety. The Romans' world was much more uncertain because of the constant possibility for disaster, and believed that human existence was inherently a tragedy because of this constant anger. Even had all the Trojans done nothing wrong, they still would have received the winds sent at Juno's (Hera) behest. All they had was vulnerable, their lives, their cities, and their civilization; anything could be destroyed by the godless discord. Moreover, no matter how devout and full of duty one is, it is always possible for furor to surface. Thus, it is not surprising that the Greek and Roman epics were so different, since what they perceived were really two different worlds. ...
