the aeneid Flashcards
Book 1
The trojans, seven years after leaving Troy, are just off the coast of Sicily. They are therefore very near Sicily. Juno however is determined that they should not reach their destination and sends a storm to blow them off course to the north african coast. They arrive in Carthage, Juno’s favoured city. Venus complains to Jupiter about her son’s suffering. He reassures her that Aeneas will reach Italy and that his descendants will found a great city, which will rule the world. Venus then sends Cupid to impersonate Ascanias and make Dido fall in love with Aeneas.
Book 2
Aeneas tells the story of the fall of Troy. Sinon had tricked the Trojans into taking in the wooden horse and the Greeks had entered the city and slaughtered King Priam. Hector had appeared to Aeneas in a dream, telling him to leave. Aeneas escaped with his father Anchises, and his son Ascanias. His wife, Creusa was lost in the confusion. Her ghost had appeared to Aeneas and told him that his future was with a new wife in Italy.
Book 4
The storm resumes. Dido gives in to her love for Aeneas and thinks they will build a city together, but he gets a message from Jupiter reminding him of his mission. He puts his duty above his love and, despite pleas from Dido, he leaves. She is in despair and kills herself.
Book 6
Aeneas visits the Sibyl at Cumae in order to get a prophecy from Apollo and to visit his father in the underworld. He talks to several ghosts, including those of Palinurus and Dido, before meeting his father, who shows him the Roman heroes who are waiting to be born. This inspires Aeneas to fulfill his mission.
Book 7
The Trojans arrive at the mouth of the river Tiber and receive a sign to say that they have reached their destination. King Latinus welcomes them and is willing for his daughter to marry Aeneas. Juno intervenes and inspires Amata, Latinus’ wife, to object vehemenantly to the marriage. Juno then causes Turnus to be consumed with anger. War breaks out
Book 8
Aeneas leaves the Trojan camp to seek help from Evander, who lives in Pallenteum, a town on the site of Rome. When Aeneas arrives, Evander and his son Pallas are engaged in celebrating Hercules’ destruction of the monster Cacus. Evander shows Aeneas the city and sends his son Pallas, to fight alongside the Trojans. Venus brings Aeneas new armour, including a shield which depicts Octavian at the battle of Actium.
Book 9
Aeneas is away, and Turnus attacks the Trojan camp. Nisus and Euralus set out at night to try to get a message to Aeneas, but both are killed. Turnus breaks into the Trojan camp, but eventually has to escape without doing much damage.
Book 10
Aeneas returns with Pallas who is killed by Turnus, who takes Pallas’s sword belt and wears it. Aeneas rages over the battlefield, killing many in revenge, including Lausus and his father Mezentius.
Book 11
Both sides bury their dead, Pallas’ body is taken back to Evander. Drances proposes that Turnus should face Aeneas alone, but the battle continues. Camilla joins the fighting and is killed.
Book 12
A truce is agreed so that a single combat can take place between Aeneas and Turnus. With help from Juturna, Turnus’s sister, the truce is broken, and fierce fighting follows. Latinus’s city is attacked, Amata commits suicide, and Turnus prepares to meet Aeneas alone. Juno does a deal with Jupiter: She will stop interfering if the new race adopts Italian, not Trojan, customs. Jupiter agrees. Aeneas wounds Turnus, who begs for mercy. Aeneas, noticing that Turnus is wearing Pallas’ sword belt, kills him.
