Yes, Washington's toga, stature, and seat may contribute to my impression of a strong Roman connection. However, look at the way Aeneas led his people to a new land after Troy was destroyed and the determination he showed in fulfilling his duty and ultimately giving his people a strong and prosperous future. He was presented with several opportunities to make different choices along the way. Aeneas could have avoided Italy, since it was close to Greece, and Troy had recently been destroyed by the Greeks. There was also the option of following his heart and staying with Dido, to be her king in Carthage. Instead, he chose to fulfill the destiny offered to him by the gods and, ultimately, the rise of the Roman people. Although Washington was not driven from his homeland, as Aeneas was by the Greeks, he was a strong leader who helped create a new nation. Aeneas, as a Virgilian hero, had "the power to create history through the choices he makes in life," just as Washington did when he chose to be a leader in the Revolutionary War and serve as the first president of the United States.