Virgil has to have a funeral games book due to the
massive popularity of Iliad XXIII.
 However, Virgil’s games are more varied, less
repetitive and involve more characters.
 The games are:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A ship race which is closely based on the chariot
races that took place in the circus maximus in Rome.
A foot race (watch out for Nisus and Euryalus who
will feature again in Book IX).
A boxing match.
An archery contest.
Finally a parade on horses with Ascanius in the
lead.
1.
What similarities are there between this
race and a quadriga chariot race in the
circus maximus?
2.
How does Virgil make this race
exciting? In your answer refer closely to
the passage.
The ship race is closely based on the chariot races
that took place in the circus maximus in Rome. This
was the most popular form of entertainment in Rome
in Augustus’ time.
 All the competitors in the ship race are the
forefathers of important patrician (aristocratic)
Roman families: Mnestheus, Sergestus, Cloanthus
and Gyas. These men will all also prove to be heroes
in the fight against the Italians.
 The shooting star at the end of the games which is
supposed to represent Anchises’ soul is a very Iulian
symbol and references the deification of Julius
Caesar. See also the shooting star in Book II after
Iulus’ hair set alight.

 Book V
is a chance for Aeneas to reestablish his leadership after his failures in
Book IV with the affair with and death of
Dido.
 The grief that he shows for his father also
portrays him in a very human light and
again brings in the theme of his need to
sacrifice his personal suffering for the
greater good of the mission.
 Aeneas’ despair at the burning of the ships
takes us back to his vulnerability in Book I.
The funeral games bring Anchises to the forefront of
the narrative so that he is in the reader’s mind for
Book VI and Aeneas’ journey to the Underworld.
 The funeral games also offer Virgil a chance to
highlight the link between Sicily and Rome which is
important. The Romans conquered Sicily as part of
the Punic Wars against Hannibal. This is a further
reminder of Rome’s greatness.
 The death of Anchises, although hugely full of pathos,
allows Aeneas to step forward and be the true leader.
Until this point, he ultimately defers to his father due
to paternal respect (this is the correct behaviour for
a model Roman).

 Just
like Book Five,
Book Three serves as
a relief from the high
tension of the violent
and dramatic fall of
Troy in Book Two and
the violent and tragic
story of Dido in Book
Four. It is a book that
celebrates the joy and
skill of storytelling.