Yes, the toga, stature, and seat in which Washington is posed may contribute to my impression of a strong Roman connection. However, look at the way Aeneas led his people to a new land after the destruction of Troy and the determination he showed to fulfill his duty and ultimately give his people a strong and prosperous future. He had several opportunities to make different choices along the way. Aeneas could have avoided Italy, since it was close to Greece, and Troy had recently been destroyed by the Greeks. There was also the possibility of following his heart and staying with Dido to become her king in Carthage. Instead, he chose to fulfill the destiny offered to him by the gods and, ultimately, the rise of the Roman people. Although Washington was not driven from his homeland, as Aeneas was by the Greeks, he was a strong leader who helped found a new nation. Aeneas, as a Virgilian hero, had "the power to create history through the choices he makes in life", much like Washington did when he chose to be a leader in war of independence and serving as the first president of the United States.