The Aeneid

By Virgil

Synopsis, Part II

Book 7 - Start of the War in Latium

After burying Aeneas' nurse, Caieta, the Trojans pass by the dreaded shores of Circe, and then, in bright dawn, sail up the mouth of the Tiber. Virgil invokes the Muse Erato to tell of the state of Latium, and of the wars and fates to come. The main characters and plot of the next six books are now introduced: Lavinia, the daughter of king Latinus is being courted by Turnus, king of the Rutuli, but portents forbid the marriage - a swarm of bees settling on a sacred laurel portend a foreign prince, while fire in Lavinia's hair foreshadows trouble. Latinus seeks the oracles of his father, Faunus, who prophesies that a mighty prince will wed Lavinia.

The Trojans eat the cakes on which their meal is placed, and Ascanius jokes that this is eating their tables, for Anchises had prophesied that they would settle where they were forced to eat their tables. So they sacrifice to the gods and Jupiter sends a favourable omen. Aeneas sends an embassy of one hundred men to Latinus to seek peace. Latinus addresses them and tells them that their ancestor Dardanus had come from there. Iloneus asks to settle there, offering gifts from Aeneas. Latinus is affected not so much by the speech as by the memory of Faunus' prophecy. For he now sees Aeneas as his destined son-in-law. As a result, he accepts the offered alliance, vows Lavinia to Aeneas and sends them away with grand gifts.

Juno, returning from Argos, sees the Trojans settling in Italy, and complains that, in spite of her, they have managed to succeed. Realising that she cannot stop marriage altogether, she nevertheless determines to delay it and to ensure that it will only take place after the shedding of much blood. Descending to Earth, she summons the hateful fury Allecto to help her stir up war and strife. Allecto seeks out Queen Amata and secretly places a snake in her bosom, with the result that, as the poison begins to work, the queen reproaches Latinus for betrothing Lavinia to Aeneas and declares that Turnus too is of foreign blood. Latinus remains firm, but, as the poison grows stronger, Amata rushes through the city madly, like a top. Then, frenzied like a Bacchanal, she hurries to the wood and rouses the matrons to join her mad orgy.

Allecto goes to Turnus disguised as the priestess of Juno and goads him to attack the Trojans. Turnus replies scornfully that war is men's affair, but Allecto appears in real form and maddens him with a torch so that he wakes up with a passion for war and summons his men. Allecto next impels Iulus' dogs to hunt the pet stag of the children of Tyrrheus, the king's forester. Iulus shoots it and it flees home wounded. As a result, the rustics gather in a rage. Allecto urges them on from the top of a stable, and in the ensuing fight Almo and Galaesus are killed. Allecto reports her success to Juno, and offers to do more. However, she is dismissed and disappears down a cavern back to hell.

The Latins now demand war and are urged on by Turnus and the madness created by Amata. Latinus attempts to resist, but when this proves impossible, he abandons control of the government and shuts himself up in the palace. Juno opens up the Gates of War and the whole land is ablaze with warlike preparation. We are then treated to a list of the leaders, heroes and arms.

Book 8 - Aeneas on the Future Site of Rome

War begins and Latium is in uproar. An embassy is sent to Diomede to ask his help. Meanwhile, as Aeneas sleeps, Father Tiber appears to him, telling him that he has reached his destined home and that proof of this will be a great white sow with her litter of thirty piglets that Aeneas will see beneath ilex trees on a shore. This will be a sign that in thirty years Ascanius will found Alba Longa. He goes on to say that Evander, king of the Arcadians at Pallanteum, is at war with the Latins and that he should seek an alliance with him.

Aeneas wakes and prays to Father Tiber, promising him everlasting worship. Having picked our two biremes from the fleet and manned them with rowers and comrades, he finds the white sow and sacrifices it to Juno. The Tiber then checks its current, and the Trojans gently float upstream towards the city of Evander on the future site of Rome.

Evander is sacrificing to Hercules with his people, when he becomes alarmed by the appearance of the Trojan ships. His son Pallas goes to ask who they are and then welcomes them and escorts Aeneas to Evander's palace. Aeneas pleads that he and Evander are descended from a common ancestor, Atlas, and should make common cause against a common enemy. Evander replies that he remembers Anchises once coming in the train of Priam and he consents to make an alliance and invites them to a banquet. They sit down and begin to feast. Evander explains the origin of the worship of Hercules, telling the story of Hercules and Cacus. As evening falls, the festival is renewed and two bards sing the praises of Hercules.

Evander then escorts Aeneas, telling him of the former state of Latium, the golden age of Saturn, the following decay and his own arrival. He shows him the Asylum, the Lupercal, the Argiletum, the Capitol, the Janiculum, the hill of Saturn, and leads him into his own humble palace.

Venus, alarmed on Aeneas' behalf about the savagery of the fighting in Latium, appeals to Vulcan for help, and, stirred by her embrace, he agrees to make him armour. He goes to the forge of the Cyclopes, where they are making thunderbolts for Jupiter, a chariot for Mars, and an aegis for Pallas Athene. He stops everything and organises the making of Aeneas' armour.

Evander goes to Aeneas and tells him that he and his people are weak, but that the Etrurians who have just expelled their tyrant Mezentius are seeking a foreign leader. He himself is too old, so Aeneas should become their leader and Pallas will go with him to fight in Latium. Aeneas is pondering these words gloomily, when sudden thunder and lightning accompany a vision of arms in the sky. He sacrifices and sends a fleet back to Ascanius, selecting warriors of outstanding courage for his own entrance into battle. Evander bids a touching farewell to Pallas, recalling the exploits of his own youth and praying for life, if he is to see his son again, and for instant death, if he is not.

The Trojans and Arcadians go out towards Caere, halting in the grove of Silvanus, and from the nearby hills they see the camp of Tarchon. Venus then brings to Aeneas the armour made by Vulcan. On it, he sees: (1) Romulus and Remus; (2) The Sabine Women; (3) Mettus Fufetius; (4) Tarquin and Porsenna; (5) Horatius; (6) Cloelia; (7) Manlius and the Gauls; (8) The Salii; (9) The Luperci; (10) The Underworld; (11) The Battle of Actium; (12) The Triumphant Return of Octavian to Rome.

Book 9 - Nisus and Euryalus

Juno tells Iris to inform Turnus that Aeneas is away gathering help from Evander and that it is now a good time to attack the Trojan camp. Turnus heeds this advice and his army advances like a stream. The Trojans see them coming and in obedience to Aeneas' command, they shut themselves within the camp. Turnus vainly challenges them to come out and fight, and after riding round the camp, decides to set fire to their fleet. Virgil invokes the Muses to tell how the ships were saved from the fire and then relates how Cybele had prayed to Jupiter that these ships, built from her sacred wood, be indestructible. As a result, a voice is heard from Mount Ida, bidding the ships go free, and, dipping beneath the sea, they emerge as nymphs. Turnus, however, is unperturbed by this and encourages his men to rest and wait for battle. They then spend the night in merry carousal, while the Trojans watch them anxiously and prepare their defences.

Nisus tells Euryalus of his desire for deeds of great valour and of his plans to escape in order to tell Aeneas of the latest developments. Euryalus begs to accompany him and, in spite of entreaties, will take no refusal. The two friends go out and seek the leaders in the camp, and Nisus explains their plan. Ascanius promises all manner of gifts. Euryalus asks Ascanius to protect his mother, which he promises to do.

They enter the Rutulian camp and kill many of the enemy, whom they find in drunken sleep. As dawn appears, they hastily seize spoils and leave the camp. Troops from Laurentum catch sight of Euryalus and give chase. Nisus escapes pursuit, but returns to find Euryalus surrounded. He kills two of the attackers, but fails to save Euryalus, who is slain by Voscens, who is in turn slain by Nisus. Finally, Nisus is himself killed and sinks lifeless on his friend's body. The Rutuli discover what has happened and at dawn advance to the Trojan camp, carrying the heads of the two Trojan warriors on spears. Rumour brings news of Euryalus' death to his mother, who is overcome by grief and prays for death until she is carried inside.

Meanwhile, the Vosci advance under a dome of shields. Their shield-shelter is destroyed by the Trojans and a battle of missiles follows. The Italians attack and set fire to a high tower, which crashes down on the Trojan defenders. Remulus, Turnus' brother-in-law, taunts the Trojans for their womanish cowardice, but is then slain by Ascanius after his prayer to Jupiter. As a result, Apollo praises him but forbids him to fight further. The other Trojans, though, fiercely renew the battle. The gates of the camp are burst open and the Rutuli rush in, but they are driven back, as the Trojans sally out in pursuit. Turnus rushes forward and slays Bitias, one of the gate guards, and other Trojans. Mars gives courage to the Latins, but terror to the Trojans. Turnus misses the chance to throw open the gate to his comrades, but kills many Trojans within the camp. Mnestheus and Sergestus rebuke the broken Trojan line and rally them to drive Turnus back to the river, where he jumps in and returns safely to his comrades.

Book 10 - Deaths of Pallas, Lausus and Mezentius

Jupiter calls a council of the gods and asks why such discord is occurring when he had forbidden war between Italians and Trojans. For, he says, the time for war will come when Carthage threatens Rome. Venus complains of Juno's schemes and asks that she may be allowed to take Ascanius from the battle and keep him safe, even if that means that Aeneas must be tossed by storms on unknown waters and must follow the road that Fortune gives him. Juno replies that she did not cause the Trojan War, and justifies her help for the Rutuli by pointing to the aid that Venus is giving to Aeneas. Tumult follows, which Jupiter silences, shaking Olympus by nodding.

The Rutuli renew their attack, and a thin line of Trojan heroes (including an unarmed Ascanius) tries to repel them with missiles. Meanwhile, in the night that follows, Aeneas sails back from visiting Tarchon, whose aid he has secured. A list of the Tuscan leaders and their men follows.

The nymphs (that previously were ships) come and bid Aeneas wake up and prepare, and then they speed his ship to the shore. He prays to Cybele and, as day dawns, he makes for the shore. The Trojans take heart, while the Rutulians are frightened by the approaching fleet and threatening gleam of Aeneas' armour. Turnus, undismayed, urges his men to attack Aeneas during the confusion of landing. As the Trojans land, Tarchon runs his ship onto a reef and it is wrecked.

Battle begins and Aeneas kills many warriors. On both sides combat is waged desperately. The Arcadian cavalry begin to yield, but are rallied by Pallas, whom the Trojans make a charge to help. Pallas kills Halaesus and at last meets Lausus. However, they are destined not to fight it out to the end, but to meet their deaths elsewhere. Accordingly, there is a showdown between Pallas and Turnus. Pallas calls upon Hercules for aid, but Jupiter prevents him, since Pallas is now fated to die. Turnus receives a graze from Pallas' spear but in return deals him a fatal thrust. Turnus spoils him of his belt, little knowing in his pride that it will be the cause of his doom. Aeneas, roused by the sad news of Pallas' death, hacks his way through the enemy to bring help to his men.

Jupiter points out the Trojans' success to Juno, who wheedles her way into gaining protection for Turnus. Jupiter allows her to delay, but not alter, his fate. As a result, she descends and fashions a cloud in the image of Aeneas which lures Turnus onto a boat and out to sea. The cloud then vanishes, leaving Turnus angry with the gods for causing him to abandon his men. Juno, though, checks him and guides the boat to Ardea.

Mezentius joins the fray and maintains his ground in the face of a Trojan attack. The slaughter becomes widespread and, as the gods observe, they pity both sides. Meanwhile, Aeneas prepares to meet Mezentius, who hurls a spear at him, which misses but kills Antores. Aeneas wounds Mezentius with a spear and is about to kill him with his sword, when Lausus, Mezentius' son, intervenes. The fighting continues and Aeneas kills Lausus, but pities the youth's pale dead face. Mezentius, resting by the Tiber, bursts into a passionate show of grief, when he sees the body of his dead son borne along on a shield. He calls for his favourite horse and appeals to him to help avenge his son or die with him. He then challenges Aeneas and showers him with darts, but Aeneas spears his horse and Mezentius is flung to the ground. He begs for no mercy, but asks only that he might share Lausus' tomb.

Book 11 - The Truce, Drances and Camilla

Day dawns, and Aeneas sets up a trophy with Mezentius' arms. He exhorts his men to bury the dead and prepare to march on Latium. He himself returns to his tent and joins in grieving over Pallas. He organises Pallas' funeral procession and he and his army accompany it as it starts. After a final farewell, they return to the camp.

Envoys from the Latins come, asking to be able to bury their dead. Aeneas agrees and a truce for twelve days is arranged for this purpose. He also laments that Turnus did not simply challenge him to a single combat, which would have averted the needless deaths of so many innocent men.

Meanwhile, Rumour brings news of Pallas' death to Evander. He hurries to meet the procession and makes a pathetic speech to his dead son, praying that he might live to see Aeneas avenge him.

The Trojans spend the next day burning their dead with due rites and sacrifices. The Latins also bury their dead and many are angry with Turnus. Drances says that it is only Turnus who is being called on to fight. Messengers then arrive from Argyripa to announce the failure of their mission: Diomede is tired of war and wants peace. They are succeeded by Latinus, who speaks in favour of peace. Then Drances speaks with bitter hatred and jealousy of Turnus, and challenges him to accept Aeneas' offer of single combat, at which Turnus angrily bursts out and proclaims warlike intentions. When news arrives of Aeneas' advance, amid general tumult, he scornfully quits the council and issues orders to his troops, while Latinus regrets his earlier rejection of the Trojans.

Turnus arms for battle, and is joined by Camilla, whom he bids engage the Trojans, while he prepares an ambush in a mountain-pass. Diana summons the nymph Opis and tells her the story of Camilla. She laments her taking part in the war, and sends Opis to avenge her death.

Meanwhile, the Trojan cavalry advance, meet the Latins, join battle and universal carnage ensues. Camilla fights on in the thickest of the fray, slaying to right and to left. Jupiter urges Tarchon to fight, who consequently rides about encouraging the Tuscans. Arruns prays to Apollo and, with his help, succeeds in killing Camilla. Opis sees her death and duly avenges her by killing Arruns, whose body is left uncared for.

Terror and confusion reign everywhere. The Latins shut the gates, excluding many friends, and in the fierce struggle to enter, ally slays ally. Women, in emulation of Camilla, throw missiles from the walls. Turnus, hearing what is happening, abandons his ambush in order to hurry to the conflict. Aeneas also comes in from the wood to the city, and as they see each other, they are about to fight, but the approach of night prevents it.

Book 12 - Truce and Duel

Disheartened, the Latins look to Turnus for aid. Realizing the desperate nature of their situation, he accepts Aeneas' challenge of single combat. Latinus reminds him of the sufferings since he betrothed Lavinia to him and pleads with him to forbear combat, but Turnus scorns him and the danger. Amata and Lavinia both try to dissuade him, but he is all the more inflamed and sends Idmon to carry his challenge to Aeneas. Both Turnus and Aeneas then prepare for battle.

The next day, the ground is measured, altars are built, the warriors, in full armour, take their place, and old men and women crowd the walls and towers. Juno summons Juturna, Turnus' sister, to save him by hindering the proposed combat, as she herself can do no more. Aeneas and Latinus advance to the altar. Aeneas prays that he will retire to Evander's city and make no more war, if Turnus wins, but that, if he wins, the races shall unite on equal terms. Latinus makes a similar oath and swears that nothing shall impair this treaty. The Rutulians then object that the fight is unfair, and Juturna in disguise urges on their discontent. An omen of an eagle and a swan persuade them further that they should renew battle. Therefore, the fighting and killing begin once more.

Aeneas tries to prevent it but is wounded by an arrow from an unknown hand and retreats. Flushed with sudden hope, Turnus jumps into a chariot and starts fighting again. More blood and carnage ensue. Aeneas is helped from the field, but is eager to return. Venus, concealed in a cloud, brings a healing herb, which cures the wound. He hastily re-arms and returns to the fray. His companions are killing many of the Rutulians, but Aeneas seeks Turnus alone. When Juturna sees that this is the case, she is struck with fear and, seizing the reins of her brother's chariot, she drives it in so many different directions that Aeneas is baffled. Eventually, Messapus hurls a spear at him, which grazes the crest of his helmet and causes him to call upon Jupiter. With that, Aeneas and Turnus set off on individual missions in which they each slaughter many of their foes. Finally, at Venus' suggestion, Aeneas decides to attack the city itself. The assault begins with an attempt to destroy it by fire, which causes divisions within the city as to whether they should resist or surrender. Amata, unable to see Turnus, thinks him dead and hangs herself. Latinus and Lavinia are overcome with grief.

Turnus hears the din from the city and wishes to help, but Juturna tries to divert his attention. However, he declares that he does not wish to die disgraced, at which point Saces comes riding up to him, imploring that he help the Latins in the city. Dazed at first, he then sees a tower in flames and rushes to the city walls, declaring that he will settle the issue by single combat.

Aeneas hurries to meet the challenge, while Jupiter weighs their destinies on the scales. Turnus' borrowed sword snaps when it comes into contact with Aeneas' divine armour and he flees. Aeneas pursues him. Turnus calls for his own sword, but Aeneas threatens death to anyone who helps him. Aeneas' spear then sticks in a tree sacred to Faunus, to whom Turnus prays that it may remain stuck. Aeneas struggles in vain, but when Juturna gives Turnus his sword, Venus angrily wrenches the spear out for him.

Meanwhile, Jupiter begs Juno to put aside her hostility to the Trojans. She agrees to yield but on condition that, when the two nations are united, the hateful name of Troy be forgotten, to which Jupiter accedes. Jupiter then sends a Fury to Juturna, who, realising that she can do no more, and bemoaning her immortality, takes refuge in her river.

The final scene sees the final combat. In reply to Aeneas' taunts, Turnus seizes a huge boulder, but the Fury removes his strength and aim. As a result, he falls and, as he does so, Aeneas hurls a spear and deeply wounds him. He begs for mercy, and Aeneas is on the point of giving way when he sees the belt of Pallas, which inflames him and causes him to strike his final blow, killing Turnus.