Was Virgil's "Aeneid" an attempt to trump Homer's "Odyssey", or did the Trojans actually found Rome?

by 5_out_of_7_perfect
SonicFan30twelve

Modern archaeological evidence suggests that Rome was founded by the Etruscans so the Trojan theory is right out. As for the Aeneid, I believe it is seen as an attempt to create an even more in-depth mythological history for the Roman people and to make them seem as they were the chosen people of the gods.