Roman Heroes and Characters from Myths and Legends

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Roman Heroes and Characters from Myths and Legends

The Myth of Cupid and Psyche: A Tale of Beauty, Trials, and Divine Love

The myth of Cupid and Psyche originates in the 2nd century AD, preserved in The Metamorphoses (also known as The Golden Ass) by the Roman author Apuleius...

The Legend of Lucretia

The Legend of Lucretia: Virtue, Tragedy, and the Birth of the Roman Republic

The Legend of Lucretia comes from ancient Roman tradition and is described by Roman historians, particularly Livy in his work Ab urbe condita. This story...

The myth of Aeneas

The myth of Aeneas: The Trojan Hero Who Became the Father of Rome

The myth of Aeneas is one of the most important in Roman tradition. It took shape in the 1st century BCE, based on both Greek and Roman sources, and is most famously presented in Virgil’s epic poem, the Aeneid...

The Legend of Romulus and Remus

Romulus and Remus: The Myth Behind Rome’s Birth, Brotherhood, and Eternal Power

The myth of Romulus and Remus emerged during the early Roman Republic and is recounted in the works of Livy, Plutarch, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus...

Roman Heroes and Characters from Myths and Legends

The culture of ancient Rome is not only renowned for its world-famous architecture and sculpture but also for its captivating and timeless myths. Unlike their Greek predecessors, Roman mythological works emerged later, allowing them to become more refined and mature. For instance, Virgil’s *Aeneid*, though inspired by Homer, is often considered incomparable in terms of its tragic depth, dramatic tension, psychological complexity, and the gripping emotional intensity that captivates the reader or listener until the very end.

In addition to their grounded view of reality, Roman literary works are rich in satire. This satirical tone, combined with vivid and well-developed characters, transforms these stories into mesmerizing performances that feel real—even today. It is no coincidence that the era of Virgil, Horace, and Ovid is known as the “Golden Age” of Roman literature.

Since we've mentioned Virgil, we cannot overlook his extraordinary epic, the *Aeneid*. In it, the gods shape human fate, and the divine becomes tightly interwoven with historical reality. This fusion gives the story a powerful sense of realism and makes it incredibly compelling—from the very beginning of Aeneas’ journey from Troy to Italy, to the end of the epic, where he faces relentless challenges. Yet, he never surrenders. Understanding the weight of his destiny, Aeneas perseveres through every trial and hardship.