Aeneid BooksV-VI

There was so much that was covered in Book VI, it's hard to focus on one particular point. The most interesting concept I would like to discuss is the idea of political propaganda that Virgil uses. While Sibyl is describing Caesar Augustus (the emperor who would be Virgil's contemporary) she notes that "his coming has been promised" and as "the son of a god, he will bring back the Age of Gold. . . [and] expand his empire" (Book 6, lines 914, 915, 917). Augustus is represented like Christ is in Christian cultures. Like Jesus, "his coming has been promised." Throughout the Old Testament in the Bible, it is prophesied that the Messiah would come and deliver his people. Augustus is described as "the son of a god." Consider the Christian belief that Christ if the son of God. His conception is called "immaculate" in many Christian sects. The conception of Christ allows him to be born without the stain of original sin. But, Augustus' primary goal was not to save teh souls of men. His focus was maintained upon expanding the Roman Empire. The similarities between Virgil's representation of Augustus Caesar and Jesus Christ are striking. I'm not sure I would classify Virgil as a Christian like many in the Middle Ages did.
In addition, I wondered how Augustus would be represented now in American culture. I can't think of any Americans that believe our leaders rule by Divine Right. Many Americans are uncomfortable with expansion and have been since the Spanish-American War at the beginning of the 20th century.