The Sibyl guides Aeneas to the realm of the dead where the ghost of Anchises gives Aeneas a vivid picture of the destiny of Rome, in particular the feature that will distinguish Roman culture from Greek (Virgil, Aeneid 6.847-53) :
Excudent alii spirantia mollius aera
(credo equidem), vivos ducent de marmore vultus,
orabunt causas melius, caelique meatus
describent radio et surgentia sidera dicent:
tu regere imperio populos, Romane, memento
(hae tibi erunt artes), pacisque imponere morem,
parcere subiectis et debellare superbos."Let others fashion from bronze more lifelike breathing images,
for so they shall—and evoke living faces from marble;
others excel as orators, others track with their instruments
the planets circling in heaven and predict when stars will appear.
But, Roman, never forget that government is your medium!
Be this your art: to practice men in the habit of peace,
Generosity to the conquered, and firness against agressors."Translation by C. Day Lewis