『アエネイス』第7巻における「内乱」の勃発 : アッレクトの役割

Abstract

The aIm of this paper is to explore the function of Allecto in the outbreak of war in the seventh book of the Aeneid from a new perspective. The War in the second half of the Aeneid can be considered as kind of civil war (cf. 7.545 discordia), because the Trojans and the Italians unite into one in the future (6.756-62, 12.834-8), and several features of Civil War enumerated in the Georgics, especially in the epilogue of the Book 1, are discernible in the seventh book of the Aeneid (e.g. Geo.1.506-8 --- Aen.7 .635-6). The War in Italy is caused by Allecto on the order of Juno. Although Allecto is one of the Furies, even her sisters hate her (7.327-8), because she has more evil inclinations: she loves civil war (325 tristia bella, cf. 545) and treachery (326 insidiae, 338 artes). Some of Juno's words about Allecto (335-6, 338-9) are reminiscent of the Georgics. The instigation of Allecto is described in three stages, and in each of them she uses not only terror, but also deceit (cf. 552 terrorum et jraudis). First. she maddens Amata with a snake, which indicates deceit (350 fallit) as well as horror (348 monstro). And Amata pretends to be a Bacchante (385) under the influence of Allecto (405). Secondly, Allecto incites Turnus to war in the disguise of an old priestess (415ff.). After he mocks her, she reveals herself and drives a torch into his chest, causing terror (458-9). Thirdly, Allecto arouses the countrymen of Latium with a new trick (477 arte nova). She directs an arrow of Ascanius to the pet deer (498-9), and sounds the shepherds' alarm, arousing fear (511-20). In this way the Italians lose control of themselves (377 sine more, cL 466 nec iam se capit). Allecto thus succeeds in causing civil war (545), and reports to Juno. Allecto's ironic remark (546) indicates the irreversibility of the situation: even Juno cannot restore peace. Juno forbids any further intervention, saying 'Enough of terror and deceit'(552), which suggests that the Italians are sufficiently (406 satis) goaded. Allecto' s influence continues even after her departure. The Italians put pressure on the king Latinus to declare war against the Trojans (573fL). At first he resists, but soon relinquishes control of the situation (600). This scene recalls the simile of a chariot at the end of the first book of the Georgics (511-4), which underscores the uncontrollability of the Civil War (511 Mars impius). Like the charioteer in the simile, Latinus loses control of affairs (Geo.1.514 jertur, habenasr--- Aen.7.594 ferimur, 600 habenas). Virgil thus depicts the outbreak of 'Civil War' and emphasizes its uncontrollability by recalling the epilogue of the first book of the Georgics. The function of Allecto is to agitate the Italians by means of terror and deceit until they become out of control.