[Literature Reflection] Aeneas' Leaderhip

The magnificent mythical era of the Trojan War is of lavish enchantment to me: the perilous adventures and valors of the heroes, written in a rich ancient language, captivates me. Yet, among those countless icons of virtue, I admire Aeneas, a Trojan prince and the protagonist of Virgil’s Aeneid. During the Trojan War, Aeneas is not one of the “main characters”: he is not as praised as daring Hector on the battlefield nor praised as clever Odysseus among his soldiers. However, in Aeneid, Aeneas emerges as the protector and the leader of the broken and defeated Trojans and displays servant leadership through his public and private life. 

Aeneas’s leadership stands out in his character because even while on a laborious journey to lead the Trojans out of Troy, he wholeheartedly looks after and sympathizes with them. He treats his people fairly, mourns the loss of his people, and empowers them even amidst his own sorrow. Furthermore, he inspires his followers by living his private life virtuously. He shows noble devotion and love toward his family, which serves as an example to his followers. While on a dangerous adventure to escape Troy, he carries his lame father on his shoulder and holds his son in one hand, showing his devotion. As such, Aeneas not only perseveres through the difficulties but reaches out and looks after others. Such rare benevolence in private life emphasizes Aeneas’ servant leadership.

Moreover, Aeneas shows outstanding leadership by being responsible in his public life. By strictly keeping a leader’s duty, he demonstrates firm accountability and restrains his self-interests from interfering with his responsibility. While escaping from Troy, he loses his wife and fellow Trojans but controls rash impulses of vengeance or despair and calmly leads the Trojans out of the battlefield. Also, when he falls in love with Dido, a Carthaginian queen, he yields his emotion and departs from Dido to carry out his duty. In both the private and public realms of his life, Aeneas displays servant leadership through his selfless commitment and virtue.