Throughout The Aeneid, various gods and goddesses have played a significant role in the events and outcome of the plot. One of the goddesses Juno, who despises the Trojans, used her efforts to cause difficulties in Aeneas’s journey to Italy. From the beginning, Juno persuaded Aeolus, the god of winds, to form a storm against the Trojan ships at sea. Even though, Neptune, the god of the sea, later managed to calm the storm, Aeneas was left only with seven ships at Libya. Later on, Juno also sent her messenger Iris to cause the Trojan ships to be set on fire, delaying their journey to Italy. Juno also gave advice and protected Turnus, a ruler in Italy, in his battle with Aeneas, hoping Turnus gains victory.
On the other hand, another goddess Venus, Aeneas’s mother, tried to help Aeneas whenever she saw him in danger or trouble from Juno’s intervention. Venus gave advice to Aeneas to go see the Queen of Carthage, Dido. With Venus’s help, Dido fell in love with Aeneas so he was welcomed in Carthage rather than opposed from the people there. Venus even convinced her husband Vulcan to make Aeneas new weapons and armor in order to advantage Aeneas in his battle with Turnus. Juno and Venus both viewed and acted towards Aeneas differently, one against Aeneas and the other in favor of Aeneas reaching Italy safely. Without the intervention from the god and goddesses, Aeneas’s journey in The Aeneid probably wouldn’t have been the way it was.
I agree with your post. One thing I would add, though, is how sometimes the gods changed their minds like humans do, instead of being all powerful and being above human thoughts and desires, like in western culture. For example, Venus knows Juno wants to delay Aeneas’ journey by having him marry Dido, but allows it to go through anyway.