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Vergil's Aeneid: A Homeric Dichotomy?, David Dysert

Anthós Journal (1990-1996)

This paper investigates the question of why scholars have traditionally labeled Vergil's Aeneid a "Homeric dichotomy." The Aeneid is often seen as a combination of the two great Homeric epics, the Odyssey and the Illiad, and is of criticized for its lack of transitions between the two. This paper argues that while the Aeneid certainly should be seen as a dichotomous work, its allusions stretch further than only to Homer’s epics. The paper traces a number of these allusions and suggests that the Aeneid should be viewed as a synthesis of Homer with other Greek traditions and epics rather than …