I've heqard in various readings that Virgil was actually receiving
gold-pieces from Augustus, but I prefer to go along with a certain
translator by the name of Guinach (sp.??) who stated in some pice I read
that Virgil most likely was an ardent supporterof many of Augustus' s
policies and sought to help promote the reconstructions of the State that
Aug. had in mind. I do not at all think Virgil was a hireling, but believed
that these ideas of Aug. were good for the State as a whole. Plus the work
is to beautiful and inspiring to be a paid for work of propaganda. I think
if he was paid he earned the money in what he would have wrote anyway!!
I hope that helps, but I think people push things to far sometimes
and should just look at the beauty in a piece of work and enjoy it and not
try to tear it apart. But of course some of us who are students have to do
just that..... tear it apart and not enjoy it!!
Kimber
-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Smyth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Thursday, March 11, 1999 3:47 PM
Subject: VIRGIL: paid for propaganda?
>Salvete!
>
>I read a suggestion that we should not believe that Virgil was a paid
>court poet writing propaganda for his patron.
>I'm not sure that I agree with this, but reflecting on it has brought
>several questions to my mind.
>
>Virgil's patron provided him with the leisure to write his poetry.
>Was the poet therefore showing his gratitude by writing propaganda?
>
>Was Virgil making the most of this opportunity to write his poetry at
>leisure?
>Did he really desire to promote Augustus, or was he trying to show how
>ridiculous the Emperor might be?
>Was the "propaganda" actually humourous?
>
>If anyone could help to settle my confusion, I would be very grateful.
>
>Rebecca Smyth
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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