The Aeneid, Virgil

For my new Costume project I have decided that I want to design for characters in Virgil's Aeneid. I studied this literature during my A levels in Classical Civilisation. I had an amazing teacher so I've always loved Homer and Virgil. I personally found Virgil's interpretation of Homer to be more lavish in description. I have noticed that there is little specific physical description of clothing therefore I have free reign on my creative interpretation. Therefore I am going to be influenced by the contemporary fashion of the Augustan regime in Rome, artwork of both Virgil's and Homer's work,  and Bronze Age Greek fashion (which we have very little remains of, mostly jewellery).

I'm going to design six costumes, including male designs, which I am very dubious about. I know I need to learn but I am so much more comfortable with designing for the female body. Also, I'm not sure I can even draw men haha. I will create one of those outfits, I am considering Dido because I love her character, the fiery reds that would be associated with her passion for Aeneas and my sister would make a beautiful Dido.

So, for a refresher, who was Virgil and what was the Aeneid?

Virgil was a Roman writer for the Augustan regime, which spanned between 27BC and 14AD. His texts including the Aeneid were panegyrical, there to create favourable propaganda. It's purpose was to instil tradition, patriotism and propaganda into Roman society after the civil wars. Therefore, the idea that the Romans were descendants of the glorious Bronze Age Trojans may have lead to pride and the need to rebuild their power and identity. 

Virgil's Aeneid was inspired by the Classical Greek writing of Homer including the Odyssey and the Iliad. Homer is a or group of poets whom recorded the oral tradition of Greek stories told by bards in writing. It has been estimated that the Trojan War, the aftermath of which Virgil depicts, happened between 1123BC and 1113BC. Virgil began work on the Aeneid 26BC and died 19BC without finishing his work. However Augustus Caesar had it published against Virgil's will. 

The Aeneid is the story of Aeneas whom Julius Caesar is supposedly a descendant. He is a prince of Troy and leaves Troy after its destruction after the Trojan War. Aeneas is supposed to show Roman duty (pietas). He does this by founding Latium which gradually becomes Virgil's contemporary Rome after several generations (not on the same site though). The Aeneid shows his plight, his fighting with his urge for pleasure instead of duty, such as his marriage to Dido. 

Anyway, on with the pretty pictures for inspiration!

Afshan