Aeneas from Virgil’s Aeneid and Achilles from Homer’s Iliad are very similar heroes but have portrayals that make them completely different epic heroes. After the fall of Troy, Aeneas flees with his father Anchises, his son Ascanius and a number of Trojan exiles. Aeneas is a new hero: he has characteristics that make him pius – devoted to his family, the gods and his own people, showing less of the heroic traits developed by Homer in the Iliad. Heroes in Homer’s epic follow what is known as the Heroic Code, a path followed by all from Diomedes to Sarpedon, Agamemnon to Hektor, where men seek recognition and glory on the battlefield by claiming externals like armour, horses or treasures which elevate their kleos (status) as a hero. Another aspect which not only differentiates the epics, but the portrayals of the heroes themselves, is the way Virgil writes his epic to celebrate the piety of Augustus and his achievements as a great Roman. Aeneas reflects this good character throughout the Aeneid.

First of all, Achilles and Aeneas are similar because they both are great fighters in war and are constantly depicted through similes in writing. The two heroes have armour made for them through the help of their mothers who ask Hephaestos/ Vulcan to craft some. Achilles, however, needs new armour because Hektor took it from the dead body of Patroklos whom he killed, thus contributing to the rejoining of Achilles into battle for revenge of his student. Both heroes take revenge for the loss of a friend; Aeneas for Pallas and Achilles for Patroklos. Through their revenge-filled rampages, the heroes are merciless, brutal and relentless in their pursuits. Also, both heroes receive divine aid. Achilles is helped by Athene and Thetis, Aeneas by Venus (his mother). Both heroes are victorious in battle.

The differences between the two are more numerous. Achilles is doomed to die at Troy and makes the tragic decision to fight in war and be known as a legend rather than staying at home and dying old. Aeneas is shown in the underworld the people who he is responsible for and whom he must survive for in order to fulfill the destiny of Rome. Aeneas has duties and a selfless devotion to his son Ascanius who will found Alba Longa (White walls) of which is the initial establishment of Rome. Aeneas is pursued by fate and followed by the will of the Gods because the future of Rome is very important. Apollo acts as a form of guide for the Trojan and when Aeneas stops in Carthage for over a year, Jupiter sends Mercury to hurry along the hero and make him think about the duty he has to his son. Aeneas has to leave Dido behind who commits suicide on his departure through the mad love she has been under after the magic of Cupid - another of Venus’ offspring.

Achilles has complicated intentions; his status is damaged when Agamemnon takes the slave-prize Briseis from him, therefore leading him to removing himself from the battle. Achilles is offered a huge amount of gifts, treasures and even cities by Agamemnon in recompense later on in the Iliad, which he refuses. This is confusing as we can’t understand why he does not take it. Is he being stubborn? Or is Briseis the only one for Achilles and he cannot repair the injury to his reputation without her? Achilles is always angry, fighting in vengeance. Aeneas fights for Lavinia, the woman whom he will name his Italian city after, and who is the trophy that will signify the unison of Italy and the beginning of the Roman legend.