Vergil's Aeneid: Commentary
Glossary of Proper Names
Jupiter
Jupiter (Iuppiter, Iouis, m.): An ancient Italian sky-god, eventually
associated with Zeus as
king of all other gods. The name Iuppiter is cognate with the Greek 'Zeu
pater'.
While ostensibly allowing other gods and mortals to make their own
decisions,
Jupiter nevertheless governs all the deeds of man. In the
Aeneid, Jupiter
remains in the wings while Venus and Juno quarrel,
but he does console Venus,
his daughter, with a prophecy concerning the success of Ascanius' line in Italy,
and sends Mercury to Aeneas in Carthage, telling him to continue on his
quest and
leave Carthage and Dido behind. The scepter and the flint stone were
sacred to
him; these were offered when Rome concluded any treaty, and he was
regarded as
a special protector of both Rome and of justice and virtue.
Return to the text.
(12/17/95)