Dio Cassius: History of Rome Metaphors and Similes

Dio Cassius: History of Rome Metaphors and Similes

Alba Longa

The second city founded by Aeneas is named Alba Long and is described as being infinitely more beautiful when compared with the first city. The city is also used here as a metaphor, representing the beginning of the expansion of the Roman Empire.

Rape

An important story in the book is that of Lucretia, a woman raped by the last King of Rome. Lucretia was powerless to stop and King and even more powerless to seek justice. As such, the rape she suffered is used here as a metaphor to represent the powerless nature of the women who lived in Ancient Rome.

Like a ship in the open sea during a violent storm

After the King was removed from power, a violent period affected the country. Between the commoners and the rich people in Rome began to arise countless discussions and problems. The country in that period is compared with a ship in the open sea during a violent storm, always in danger of capsizing. This comparison is an important one because it has the purpose of transmitting just how unstable the political situation was at that time.

Marriage

Marriage plays an important role in the lives of the characters mentioned in the book. Marriages are used here to strengthen relationships and to forge alliances. As such, marriages are often compared with business transactions. This comparison is an important one because it transmits the idea that marriages were not made out of love but out of interest.

The first navy

In the book, the narrator describes how the Romans build their first navy fleet sometime in the 3rd century BC. The fleet is an extremely powerful one and it allows the Roman Empire to expand even more. As such, the fleet is used here as a metaphor to represent military power.

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