P. Vergilius Maro, Aeneid 6.847–853

In the underworld, the shade of Anchises reveals to his son Aeneas the souls of future Romans and prophesies Rome's destiny. Conceding artistic supremacy to other peoples, he names instead the distinctive artēs that will define Roman greatness.

 

Tier 1

Anchīsēs ōlim erat pater Aenēae. nunc Anchīsēs nōn vīvit. Aenēās ad patrem suum sub terrā vēnit. Anchīsēs Aenēae nātō suō ostendit Rōmānōs quī posteā erunt. Anchīsēs ita dīcit:

 

“aliī ex aere pulchra facient. ars eōrum erit māgna. aliī vultūs hominum ex saxō facient. vultūs eōrum erunt similēs vīvīs hominibus. aliī causās melius dīcent. aliī stellās in caelō vidēbunt et nōmina stellārum dīcent.

 

sed tū, Rōmāne, mementō: tū rege populōs imperiō.

 

hae artēs tuae erunt: mōrem pācī impōne, subiectīs parce, superbōs dēbellā.”

The Pericles Group Foundation
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