Even as many countries suffer from rising national debt, governments around the world continue to invest billions of dollars in their debt initiatives. research, their space programs, their Olympic teams, etc. Although some may consider these expenses unnecessary, they serve an age-old purpose: national pride. Throughout history, great achievements (like a winning Olympic team or an acclaimed work of art) have defined and unified nations by creating a common sense of pride and fame. Homer's Iliad and Odyssey fulfilled this role for the ancient Greeks, inspiring Publius Virgil to create a similar epic that would not only ennoble Rome but distinguish it from the fallen empire of Greece. He did this by drawing a contrast between Homer's hero, Odysseus, whose meaning of life is to live, and his protagonist, Aeneas, who finds meaning in piety, thus confirming the fact that Aeneas is a more glorious hero since he serves a higher purpose. Odysseus's purpose in life is manifested through the values ​​he holds dear and his view of death. First of all, Odysseus values ​​his men throughout the poem. Even though they are all tragically lost in a storm, Odysseus does everything he can to save them throughout his journey. Not only does he take the time to save them from the Lotus Eaters and Circe, but he returns to Circe's island to give Elpinor a proper burial. Another value dear to Odysseus is combat, so much so that Athena attacks him by asking: “Where has Odysseus gone, your power, your fighting heart? The great soldier who fought for the famous Helena White Army, fighting the Trojans for nine years without interruption, without mercy. (Od. 22.236-38)However, Odysseus' journey is not solely dominated by war. Even middle of paper......prominent painters or scientists who spent their entire lives trying to create or become something their nation could be proud of. However, Publius Virgil had a particular challenge since he was trying to unite a nation of conquered peoples, like the Greeks, already very proud of their own epics and culture. So, to accomplish this task, Virgil had to distinguish his hero Aeneas from the Greek literary hero Odysseus by contrasting their individual views on the meaning of life. This allowed Virgil to highlight why Aeneas and, in turn, Rome could be considered more admirable since he believes both serve an eternal purpose. However, Virgil was probably unaware that it would be his epic and not Rome's empire that would stand the test of time, becoming not only a source of pride for a nation but for the entire literary world..