Et Troianos intulit agresti Latio : Faunus ou les compromis de l’autochtonie dans l’épopée virgilienne

Abstract

A quite discreet god throughout the Aeneid, Faunus is commonly known as a secondary deity. However, Virgil’s rebuilding of the character appears to aim at a particular purpose. Since he redefines Faunus, once king and now part of Latium’s soil, as an embodiment of autochthony, the poet stages an example of how one should behave facing the arrival of Trojan exiles. While some other autochthonian characters, close to Faunus, are hostile, the god suggests acceptance of change and evolution towards a glorious fate - although sorrowful compromises may have to be made.