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The Aeneid of Virgil is an exploration of the behavior of man when he is tested through different trials. Virgil creates an array of characters that range from pious to impious. These characters also have varying amounts of furor that are revealed at times. It is through the tests that Virgil presents to these characters that they reveal the level of their fury. In several situations characters that have previously been very pious display fury that is uncharacteristic of them. Although pious individuals may resort to furious acts in times of crisis, piety is still a stronger virtue than furor because absolute furor will eventually bring destruction. Virgil is able to demonstrate this struggle between piety and furor through distinct passages throughout the poem. One of these passages is the conflict that arises between Hercules and Cacus in book VIII after Cacus steals four bulls and four heifers. Here Virgil has created two very opposing characters. Cacus is the example of pure furor, while Hercules is the pious one. Virgil describes Cacus as being “half- human”, and having a “mind driven wild with frenzy” (VIII, 258-271). Hercules on the other hand is by nature a good and pious man. Virgil illustrates th