The Aeneid Virgil's Aeneid adopts Homeric material by combining both Homeric themes to create a double theme and following a similar plot found in both the Iliad and the Odyssey. Virgil also in a certain sense adapted the Homeric material by having Aeneas undertake a journey similar to that of Ulysses but different in his own way. Furthermore, through the use of fate and destiny which play a vital role in Aeneas' journey. However, Virgil has the upper hand in writing the Aeneid because he was literate, as well as the fact that he was able to read both Homeric poems rather than listening to them as was the case in the past. This allowed Virgil to study both poems in depth and to develop his character, Aeneas, in a new and profound way. First of all, the Aeneid develops a double theme of war and man at war taken from both the Iliad and the Odyssey. The theme of the Iliad was centered on the weapon, which in Latin means war. Likewise, the theme of the Odyssey was based on virumque, which is Latin for man. Virgil used both themes by weaving them together to form the theme of his epic. Also, as a side note, Virgil, like Homer, makes his theme evident through the invocation of the muse, which usually takes place in the early parts of Book 1 in both Virgil's and Homer's epics. Secondly, the plot of the Aeneid follows a similar arrangement to the books of the Iliad and the Odyssey. The only difference would be that in the first six books of the Aeneid Aeneas first undertakes a journey to Italy to found a city, just as Odysseus made a return journey to his homeland, for the remaining Trojans and in the last six books he participates in an epic battle , just like in the Iliad, to found the city of Rome once he reached Italy. In summary, Virgil has taken... middle of the paper... Homer's epic poems successfully, while at the same time making the Aeneid more personal by adding his own touch. Many had attempted to combine both styles, but it was considered impossible to have a Roman script that was on the same level as Homer's epics. Homer was credited with developing the style of Greek writing, and many Romans believed that to create writing like his you needed to have the ability to think, a good command of words, and an ability to tell stories. Virgil was successful because he possessed the mentioned skills and was literate, which in turn worked in his favor. By combining the Greek style of writing with the Roman style Virgil was attempting something that no other Roman had ever managed before. Therefore, without Virgil's adaptation and adoption of Homeric qualities we most likely would not have the Aeneid nor study it as closely as we do today..