There is a notable tension in Virgil's works between the ideals of personal happiness and Rome's mission. This tension has often been described as a conflict in Virgil's ethical ideals, influenced by Stoic and Epicurean philosophies. Stoicism emphasizes selfless public duty, characterized by an unwavering yet rational compassion. In contrast, Epicureanism advocates a philosophical retreat from worldly concerns, not in pursuit of sensual pleasure as often misconceived, but in seeking freedom from pain. The poem's tension is more intricate, involving a conflict between personal joy and public duty, as well as a daunting gap between ideals and their realization.

Roman history was not merely a series of broken relationships, forsaken allies, and anger. For Romans, values like marital love, loyal friendship, justice, and generosity to strangers defined their way of life. They were under no illusions about the challenges of living a life devoted to family and community. Aeneas symbolizes the struggles faced by even the most honorable individuals to uphold the humanity essential for Rome to fulfill its divine purpose as a civilizing force, rather than just another power in a succession of empires.