Aeneas
Aeneas is the Romanization of the hero's original Greek name Aineías. This name first appears in the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite when Aphrodite gives him his name from the adjective ainos, meaning terrible. The goddess explains that her grief over bearing a mortal son was so great it became unspeakable. She declares his name will be Aineias because of the terrible grief he caused her by being born a mortal who would age and die. Later medieval writers proposed different meanings for the name. John of Salisbury and Bernard Sylvestris of Tours suggested the name combined words for dweller and body. They argued this meant in-dweller or a god inhabiting a mortal body. No certainty exists regarding the true origin of his name.
Aeneas serves as a minor character in Homer's Iliad where he is twice saved from death by gods. He acts as an honorable warrior despite holding back from fighting initially. Aggrieved with King Priam for not receiving due honor, he leads an attack against Idomeneus to recover the body of his brother-in-law Alcathous. Deiphobus urges him on during this battle. Aeneas commands the Trojans' Dardanian allies and serves as principal lieutenant to Hector. His mother Aphrodite frequently comes to his aid on the battlefield. Apollo also favors him greatly. Both deities rescue Aeneas from combat with Diomedes of Argos who nearly kills him. They carry him away to Pergamos for healing. Poseidon even rescues Aeneas after Achilles assaults him noting that Aeneas is destined to become king of the Trojan people. Pseudo-Apollodorus explains Greeks spared him alone on account of his piety. Gaius Julius Hyginus credits Aeneas with killing 28 enemies in the Trojan War.
Virgil wrote twelve books detailing the legendary foundation of Lavinium. The epic follows Aeneas as one of few Trojans not killed or enslaved when Troy fell. Gods commanded him to flee so he gathered a group known collectively as the Aeneads. This group included his trumpeter Misenus father Anchises friends Achates Sergestus and Acmon healer Iapyx helmsman Palinurus and son Ascanius. He carried household gods called Lares and Penates transplanted to Italy. Several attempts to find new homes failed including a stop on Sicily where Anchises died peacefully in Drepanum. After six years of wanderings Aeneas and his fleet made landfall at Carthage following a fierce storm sent by Juno. He had a year-long affair with Queen Dido who proposed they reign jointly over their peoples. Juno instigated a marriage of sorts knowing her favorite city would eventually be defeated by Trojan descendants. Mercury reminded Aeneas of his journey compelling him to leave secretly. Dido uttered a curse pitting Carthage against Rome forever culminating in the Punic Wars before committing suicide. Later Aeneas descended into the underworld meeting Dido who turned away from him and his father showing future history of Rome. Latinus king of Latins welcomed Aeneas's army letting them reorganize lives in Latium despite prophecy that Lavinia would marry one from another land. Turnus declared war on Aeneas at Juno's urging but Aeneas's forces prevailed killing Turnus.
The Brut Chronicle tells Britain's settling story through Brutus son of Aeneas. Belief in this narrative was once widespread though it began fading by the Renaissance. Snorri Sturlason wrote in Prose Edda about world divided into three continents including Europe or Enea. He described a Trojan named Munon marrying Priam's daughter Troan traveling distant lands marrying Sybil getting son Tror identical to Thor. The 12th-century French Roman d'Enéas addressed Aeneas's sexuality challenging suspicions of homoeroticism present in medieval interpretations. Queen Amata opposed Aeneas's marriage to Lavinia in this version. Guido delle Colonne reworked accounts by Dares and Dictys influencing later readings. The Pearl Poet used Aeneas to establish genealogy for Britain foundation explaining he was impeached for perfidy yet proven most true. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight employed similar themes late fourteenth century. English writers like Tolkien argued Antenor incorrectly identified as treacherous knight in line three. Medieval chroniclers greatly influenced character interpretation through Virgil and Latin sources.
Aeneas appears as character in William Shakespeare's play Troilus and Cressida set during Trojan War. Christopher Marlowe made him major character in play Dido Queen of Carthage. Seventeenth-century broadside ballad called Wandering Prince of Troy altered his fate joining her spirit after suicide instead of traveling years onward. Allen Tate wrote two poems featuring Aeneas as speaker titled Aeneas at Washington and Aeneas at New York. Ursula K. Le Guin published novel Lavinia retelling last six books from viewpoint of Lavinia daughter King Latinus. David Gemmell featured Aeneas main heroic character named Helikaon in Troy series. Rick Riordan regarded him first Roman demigod son Venus rather Aphrodite in Heroes of Olympus book series. Will Adams novel City of Lost assumes much Virgil information mistaken placing meeting between Phoenician colony Cyprus modern Famagusta site. Their tale intersperses with modern activists stopping Turkish Army general coup discovering hidden ruins Dido palace.
Henry Purcell composed opera Dido and Aeneas making title character central role. Jakob Greber created work Aeneas in Carthage 1711 Hector Berlioz included principal role Les Troyens Metastasio's Didone Abbandonata set over eighty times period 1724 to 1824. Canadian composer James Rolfe composed opera Aeneas and Dido 2007 companion piece Purcell's work. Ronald Lewis portrayed Aeneas supporting character Helen of Troy directed Robert Wise escaping end film. Steve Reeves played main character 1961 sword sandal film Guerra di Troia The Trojan War reprising role following year Avenger about arrival Latium conflicts local tribes settling refugees. Giulio Brogi portrayed Aeneas 1971 Italian TV miniseries Eneide giving whole story escape meeting Dido arrival Italy duel Turnus. Most recent cinematic portrayal appeared film Troy youth charged Paris protect refugees continue ideals city people laying foundations Roman culture not royal family member fighting war. Alfred Enoch portrayed him 2018 TV miniseries Troy Fall City featured Epic Fighter Dardania faction Total War Saga Troy 2020. White Wolf Game Studios made Aeneas mythical founder Ventrue Clan Vampire Requiem game playable character Warriors Legends Troy ends fleeing destruction starting empire greater Greece Troy combined ruling world thousand years.
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Common questions
What is the origin of the name Aeneas in Greek mythology?
The name Aeneas originates from the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite where the goddess Aphrodite gives him his name from the adjective ainos meaning terrible. She declares his name will be Aineias because of the terrible grief he caused her by being born a mortal who would age and die.
Who are the gods that rescue Aeneas during the Trojan War according to Homer's Iliad?
Aphrodite frequently comes to Aeneas aid on the battlefield while Apollo also favors him greatly. Both deities rescue Aeneas from combat with Diomedes of Argos who nearly kills him and carry him away to Pergamos for healing. Poseidon even rescues Aeneas after Achilles assaults him noting that Aeneas is destined to become king of the Trojan people.
How did Aeneas escape the fall of Troy and what group did he gather?
Gods commanded Aeneas to flee so he gathered a group known collectively as the Aeneads including his trumpeter Misenus father Anchises friends Achates Sergestus and Acmon healer Iapyx helmsman Palinurus and son Ascanius. He carried household gods called Lares and Penates transplanted to Italy before making landfall at Carthage following a fierce storm sent by Juno.
What role does Aeneas play in the founding of Britain according to medieval chronicles?
The Brut Chronicle tells Britain's settling story through Brutus son of Aeneas though belief in this narrative began fading by the Renaissance. The 12th-century French Roman d'Enéas addressed Aeneas's sexuality challenging suspicions of homoeroticism present in medieval interpretations while Queen Amata opposed Aeneas's marriage to Lavinia in this version.
Which modern authors have written novels featuring Aeneas or retelling his story?
Ursula K. Le Guin published novel Lavinia retelling last six books from viewpoint of Lavinia daughter King Latinus. David Gemmell featured Aeneas main heroic character named Helikaon in Troy series while Rick Riordan regarded him first Roman demigod son Venus rather Aphrodite in Heroes of Olympus book series.