The Adventures of Aeneas

Grace ReddRiley Smith

Charlotte D’Ambra Jonathan McDaid

Jin Lee

Heroic Qualities and

FlawsHeroic Qualities Leader Authoritative Fierce Capable of

compassion Trojan Hero Only survivor of

Trojan war

Flaws Weakness for

women Selfish

Aeneas was the son of Venus second only to Hector. He managed to escape with his father and son to find a

new home. He finally reached Italy where he defeated anyone who

attempted to oppose them. Aeneas was told in a dream that they would settle in

West Italy, also known as Hesperia.

Aeneas’ Journey (Escape from Troy and dream of

Italy)

They later came to a destination where they met Hectors wife

Andromache after much hardship. Andrpmache later married the Trojan prophet Helenus. Andromache and Helenus were now ruling the country and were

happy to welcome Aeneas and his men. They were treated with the best hospitality, and later Helenus

gave them some very important advice. He said not to take the short route and go between Sicily and

Italy because there were many Greeks there who had already taken captive many families.

Andromache and Helenus and Good Advice

Aeneas continues on his journey He was not aware that the southern part of Sicily was

now occupied with Cyclopes. Luckily a man, whose unkempt appearance was

enough to warn Aeneas, threw himself to the ground telling Aeneas to leave, warning him that there were a hundred Cyclopes who would come after them if they did not leave in time.

Sicily and the Cyclops

Aeneas finally escapes the Cyclopes, but only to be met with another

dilemma just as big. They were struck with a storm clearly larger then just a mortal downpour. The cause of the storm was a god named Juno. She had an extreme hatred for Aeneas because she knew that someday fate

would cause him to conquer Carthage (“Her pet city”), and was supposed to be ruled by Trojan blood.

She then petitioned Ulysses to drown Aeneas in return for the most beautiful nymph as his wife.

This upset her brother Neptune

Supernatural Intervention: Juno Neptune and Venus

After escaping the terrible storm, Aeneas and his men

landed in a place somewhat close to Carthage. Juno continued pondering ways to make their arrival a

stumbling block. She decided she wanted to have the him fall in love with a

beautiful widow named Dido, the ruler of Carthage to divert Aeneas from Italy

Dido

In order to put her plan in motion, Venus talked to Cupid, who

promises to “Set Dido’s heart on fire with love as soon as she laid eyes on Aeneas.” (326).

He did as he promised, and Aeneas stayed with Dido, who gave him great respect, as did her kingdom.

They were greatly in love, but later Aeneas was ordered to leave.

He obeyed and ordered his men to get prepare for departure. Later Dido, out of much despair hid herself so that no one

could see her and set herself on fire.

Venus Summons Cupid

Aeneas was told by the prophet Helenus to

find the Sibyl of Cumae a women of great wisdom who would advise them on what to do. He did as he was told and she told him she would lead him to the underworld to learn all he needed to know about his father Anchises. She warned him that it as no “ Light undertaking” but if he was willing she would go with him.

The Sibyl of Cumae and the Task

Aeneas and the Sibyl travel to the underworld,

where they see many horrors. There he saw disease, hunger, war, discord,

blood-stained hair. The Sibyl warned Aeneas that at this point

that he needed all of his courage.

The Underworld and its terrors

Aeneas mentions that other heroes such as

Ulysses, Theseus, Hercules, Orpheus, and Pollux had taken a trip to the underworld and not found it as terrifying.

Ghosts of the past

Juno continued to try her best to make Aeneas’ journey most

miserable. There was a man named Latinus, who had only one daughter. He wanted her to marry a foreigner. He felt as though Aeneas was fit to marry his daughter. Juno summoned Alecto, one of Hades’ furies and told him to make

many people including Latinus’ wife, Queen Amata, and Ascanius to fight against Aeneas.

Sailing to Italy and the wrath of Juno and Alecto

Aeneas fights in battle in order to win the hand

of Lavinia. Turnus: A brave skilled warrior Mezentius: An excellent warrior, but so cruel that

his people rebelled against him Camilla: A female warrior from birth. Extremely

skilled with javelin, axe, and bow.

Enemies: Turnus, Mezentius, and Camilla

Aeneas was sent to a man named Evander, who was the

King of a poor town. He said Aeneas’ task was to find Mezentius and give him

what he deseved for all of his cruelty against the town. He also said that Mezentius’ allies were Camilla and Turnus,

but he would send his only son Pallas and a “band of youths” (338) and each of them a horse to reach their destination in good timing.

Help from the Gods and Evander

Nisus was a very skilled warrior His best friend, Euryalus, was less experienced but with

the same amount of bravery. The two never went anywhere without each other. Aeneas continued fighting, but was outnumbered, and

had no way of getting help from his leader. Nisus told his friend he would leave to clear a path to

get to their leader but would leave him behind. These words were clearly idol to Euryalus who insisted

on tagging along. If one were to die, they were to die together.

Nisus and Euryalus

The two set out to do what they planned to do, trudging

through the enemies camp, Nisus quietly killing off men with Euryalus keeping watch.

A man spotted the glare of Euryalus’ helmet, who heard the soldier coming and out of much fear ran off.

They took the wrong path and lost Nisus. Meanwhile the enemy soldier came charging to catch up with

Euryalus and challenged him. Nisus turned back to help Euryalus, killing many men. When he got to Euryalus he begged for the soldiers to take

him instead. Unfortunately, it was too late. Nisus then killed the soldier

who killed Euryalus, he too was stabbed and fell dead next to his friend.

Nisus and Euryalus (cont’d)

In the end, all of their enemies were slain including

Camilla and her ally Mezentius who met his fate and died a slow death after his son died in attempt of defending him.

Not only their enemies were killed but their beloved ally Pallas, Evanders only son.

Finally, Aeneas and Turnus were left to fight one-on-one. Aeneas no longer fought as though he was a mortal

human being, but as a “fearful prodigy” (343) and Aeneas ends the war with a victory, marries Lavinia and ruled a very successful Roman race.

Marriage to Lavinia and Gifts to the World

What goes around comes around: Aeneas

defeats his enemy Mezentius who was cruel to all of his people and he died a slow agonizing death.

Guilt and Redemption: Nisus died for the sake of Euryalus because he felt as though it was his fault he was killed.

Motifs and Themes

Hero: Aeneas was the main hero because in

the end he gained a victory with selfless motives.

Scapegoat: Pallas, Nisus, and Euryalus were all looked as the scapegoat. All in different instances they sacrificed themselves for the good of someone else.

Major Archetypes

Juno stepped in a lot during this story. She had everything against Aeneas, cause a

lot of this conflict. She pretty much started the war in Italy

because she called everyone else to help her out.

Supernatural Intervention

Loyalty, bravery, and perseverance were very

important values to Aeneas. He fought every battle and he never quit. Aeneas really stuck with eberything he did

even if he needed help or not.

Cultural Values

From his journey Aeneas learned that within

every seemingly impossible situation, the key to victory lies within the power of endurance. With every obstacle, the strength to endure proved victorious over every adversity.

Story Summation