Aeneid, Book 5

The Games in Honor of Anchises

As the Trojans sail away from Carthage, they look back and see a blaze in the city; although they do not know that it comes from Dido's pyre, they feel presentiments of disaster

A storm prevents them from reaching Italy; they stop at Sicily.

Games!On the next day Aeneas summons an assembly and reminds the Trojans that it is the anniversary of the death of his father Anchises. He proclaims a solemn sacrifice at the tomb, which is to be followed on the ninth day by contest in rowing, running, boxing and archery.

Four competitors enter for the ship-race, Mnestheus in the Pristis, Gyas in the Chimaera, Sergestus in the Centaurus, and Cloanthus in the Scylla.

Mnestheus' final spurt to catch Cloanthus would perhaps have succeeded had not Cloanthus prayed to the gods of the sea. His prayers are heard, and he reaches harbour, the winner of the race.

Foot Race

Nisus get well ahead in the foot-race, but as he nears the finish he slips in a pool of blood. While lying on the ground he trips up Salius who was second, so that his friend Euryalus comes up from third place to win.

BoxingAeneas now announces a boxing competition. Dares comes forward, but nobody is prepared to fight him. He claims the prize.

Acestes now urges Entellus, who was trained by Eryx, to oppose Dares. He protests that he is now past the prime of his youth, but none the less accepts the challenge and hurls into the ring a pair of huge gauntlets with which Eryx once fought Hercules.

After preliminary sparring, Entellus aims a mighty blow which misses and causes him to fall flat on the ground. He is assisted to his feet, and in fury renews the fight, driving Dares all around the arena.

Aeneas intervenes and stops the fight. Dares is carried away by his friends back to the ships, and Entellus receives the ox as his prize. With a single blow he kills it in a sacrifice to Eryx, and announces his final retirement from boxing.

Aeneas proclaims an archery contest, the target being a dove secured to a mast. Hippocoon hits the mast; Mnesteus' arrow cots the cord; Eurytion then shoots down the bird as it flies away.

Acestes, left with no target to aim at, shoots his arrow high into the air. It catches fire, and then disappears like a shooting star. Aeneas recognises this as a good omen and awards Acestes first prize.

Archery Contest

Ascanius/Iulus struts his stuff

The final event is the equestrian display by the Trojan boys. They process in three companies, young Priam the leading one, Atys another, and Iulus the third, and they give a brilliant display of intricate maneuvers and mock battle.

While the games are being celebrated, Juno sends Iris down from heaven in order to incite the Trojan women to burn their ships.

The news reaches the Trojans. Ascanius immediately rides off and brings the women to the realization of their crime.

Aeneas prays to Jupiter either to send help or to bring final destruction upon them. Jupiter hears his prayer; the flames are quenched by a thunderstorm, and all the ships are saved except for four.

Take the best and leave the weak behind

Aeneas in despair wonders whether to abandon his fated mission altogether. Nautes advises him to leave behind some of his company in Sicily, and take the rest onwards to Italy.

As Aeneas is pondering this advice there appears to him in the night a vision of his father Anchises, who tells him to accept Nautes' advice; but before establishing his city he is to visit the underworld to meet his father and hear his destiny.

The Trojans say their farewells to those staying behind; sacrifices are made, and they sail for Italy.

Meanwhile, Venus complains to Neptune of Juno's hostility to the Trojans, and asks for his promise that the Trojans will safely cross the sea to Italy. Neptune gives his promise, but says that one life must be lost so that the others shall be safe.

The Trojans proceed on their voyage, Palinurus leading. During the night the god Sleep comes to Palinurus, disguised as Phorbas, and urges him to rest from his vigil. Palinurus refuses, and Sleep casts him into the sea.

Aeneas takes the helm, and the Trojans sail on to Italy.

Aeneid, Book 6The Sybil and the Underworld

When he reaches Italy, Aeneas stops at Cumae to listen to the Sybil.

A Sybil is a prophetess.

The Sybil tells Aeneas she will guide him through the underworld, but first he will need to collect the golden bough.

Venus’ doves lead Aeneas to the bough.

The Sybil says he must bury Misenus.

Misenus had been killed after challenging Triton to a trumpet contest.

The river Styx separates the living from the dead.

The boatman Charon carries souls across the river.

Charon refuses Aeneas passage until the golden bough is shown to him.

Once across, they find Cerberus.

The Sybil subdues Cerberus.

In the vale of mourning, Aeneas sees Dido.

Aeneas is saddened when she runs away.

They see many fallen soldiers.

Afraid of Aeneas, the Greeks cower.

They hurry past the furies…

Who was Tisiphone?

A rather gloomy and bloody figure in Greek mythology, I'm afraid. Our gal Tis was one of the three dark goddesses that went around punishing kin-slayers. She and her gory sisters were part of an older pantheon of gods and goddesses that held sway in Greece long before Zeus’ grandfather was even castrated.

And Tartarus, where punishment occurs…

Anchises will be found with noble souls in the Elysian fields.

Anchises shows his son the future of Rome.

From Romulus and Remus…

Up to Augustus.

He spends a bit of time on Marcellus.

Marcellus was Augustus’ beloved son-in-law and heir; he died a young soldier of Rome.

Anchises points out the river Lethe.

After 1,000 years, a soul may drink.

All memories of former life are erased.

And the soul may then be reborn.

Aeneas says good-bye at the gates of sleep.

Aeneas emerges from the underworld.

He is dead as a Trojan.He is reborn as a Roman.

Aeneid, Books 7 and 8

Arrival in Latium

King Latinus

Latinus was king of the Latins.

His wife, Amata, wanted their daughter Lavinia to marry Turnus, Prince of the Rutulians.

Signs and Portents!

In the front yard, a ball of bees.

Then, Lavinia’s head burst into flames.

Faunus, Latinus’ dead dad, appears and announces that Lavinia must marry a foreigner.

Meanwhile, the Trojans get so hungry they eat their “tables.”

An embassy is sent to Latinus, with Ilioneus as leader. An alliance is made.

Juno sends Allecto to enrage Amata.

Allecto is a Fury.

Amata leads other frenzied women into the woods.

Amata supports Turnus.

The white sow and piglets!This must be da place.

Allecto sends a burning torch into the bosom of Turnus.

Ascanius and Silvia's Stag

Silvia, a young Latin girl, had raised a pet stag.

Allecto inspires Ascanius (Iulus) to shoot the stag.

Mortally wounded, the stag makes its way back to Silvia and dies.

Enraged, Silvia’s family and Latin friends begin battle with the Trojans.

Juno opens the gates of war.

Muster of the Italian forces –Mezentius and Lausus; Aventinus; Catillus

and Coras; Messapus; Clausus; Halaesus; Oebalus; Ufens; Umbro; Virbius; Turnus; Camilla

Mezentius was a former tyrant.

He was overthrown because his people hated him.

He punished evil-doers by tying them to corpses and watching them slowly die.

Camilla was a famous warrior girl.

Camilla led the Volscans.

Aeneas must find allies.He sacrifices a sow, then heads upriver to Arcadia.

Aeneas arrives in Arcadia.

Led by King Evander and his son Pallas, the Arcadians are paying tribute to Hercules.

It was nearby that Hercules defeated the wily Cacus.

Cave of Cacus

Aeneas and Evander forge an alliance.

Meanwhile, Venus pays a visit to her husband Vulcan.

Venus asks for a shield for her son.

Vulcan gets to work at his forge.

Vulcan is the god of metal work.

Vulcan crafts a magnificent shield for Aeneas.

And Venus delivers the shield to her son.

The shield depicts scenes from future Roman history, Including Romulus and Remus…

The Rape of the Sabine Women…

The development of Rome on seven hills…

The battle of Actium…

And the triumph of Augustus.