Table of Contents
The Living
Aeneas: The primary protagonist of the poem, the Aeneid. Aeneas is one of the last surviving inhabitants of the city of Troy. Characteristically he is a pious man, with a strong fear of the gods. In addition to being a fearless warrior, he is a steadfast leader, capable of motivating his followers regardless of what dangers they might be up against. However, despite his strong disposition, he is also capable of showing great compassion for his fellow men. He believes that he is destined to rebuild his fallen city and become the founder of the Roman race in Italy. It is this belief that guides him on his journey, and prevents him from backing down, regardless of what he encounters. Virgil’s the Aeneid is largely about his epic adventure from Troy to Italy, and his intent to fulfill his destiny.
Dido: Dido is the queen and founding mother of Carthage; a city in Tunisia. And, the former lover of Aeneas. Dido sought refuge after her husband was murdered by her brother, Pygmalion. She has created a strong and sustainable city, however, becomes a victim of circumstance when she gets caught in the middle of a battle of the gods when they insist that Aeneas must fulfill his destiny. In the end, it is her love for Aeneas that causes her demise. Unable to compete with his devotion to the gods, she kills herself with his sword when he leaves to continue his journey.
Turnus: Turnus is the leader of the Rutulians, and the most prevalent human antagonist. With the aid of her mother, Turnus vows to marry Lavinia – until her father feels that Aeneas would be better suited. It is this rivalry that causes him to take up arms against the Trojan men, resulting in a full blown war. Despite the willingness of Latinus to allow the Trojans to settle in Latium, and Turnus’s understanding the fate will always prevail, the men battle to the bitter end.
Ascanius: Ascanius is the child born to Aeneas and his first wife, Creusa. Also known as lululs, he is a true testament to the importance of Aeneas completing his mission. Despite being merely a child, Ascanius is presented with several opportunities over the course of their journey to prove himself to be years ahead of his age in terms of bravery and leadership. In Book V, he leads a group of boys and helps to defend the Trojan camp in his father’s absence.
Anchises: Anchises is Aeneas’s father, he passes away at the start of their journey for Italy. Despite his passing, he continues to aid his son in spirit form, and guides him through the underworld, helping him to see the true importance of fulfilling his destiny.
Creusa: The first wife of Aeneas, and also the mother of Ascanius. Creusa loses her life when the city falls, however, as she is dying, she pleads with her husband to take a new wife once he rebuilds the city.
Sinon: Sinon is a Greek youth, who under false pretences, insists that he had been left behind at the end of the Trojan war. Sinon convinces the Trojans to bring in a wooden horse as a gift of peace to Minerva. However, once inside the walls, he opens the belly of the horse to reveal dozens of Greek warriors that had been hiding inside.
Latinus: Latinus is the king of the Latins in Italy. He welcomes Aeneas and the Trojans into his kingdom and tries to persuade Aeneas to become a suitor for his daughter. This sparks resentment and leads to a war. Latinus firmly respects the gods and believes in fate, but is unable to control his own people.
Lavinia: Lavinia is the daughter of the king, she is symbolic of the entire Latium community. Her character is not strongly developed in the poem, her only value is as an object in the struggle between the Trojans and the Latins. Determining who will marry her – Aeneas or Turnus – is the entire historical scheme of the poem.
Amata: Amata is the queen of Latium. She is deeply against the idea of Aeneas marrying her daughter, and pledges her loyalty to Turnus. In the end, when it becomes obvious that Aeneas will win, she kills herself.
The Gods
Juno: Juno is the Queen of the gods, and the sister and wife of Jupiter. She is also the daughter of Saturn. Juno despises the Trojans because a Trojan voted against her in a beauty pageant.
Venus: Venus is known as the goddess of love, and she is also the mother of Aeneas. She is a benefactor of the Trojan people and comes to the aid of her son whenever he is under the attack of Juno. This causes turmoil amongst the gods.
Jupiter: Known as the King of the gods, Jupiter is the son of Saturn. Where other gods often battle against one another, Jupiter is seen as being supreme. He is the leading force of Aeneas journey to fulfill his fate – and the reason that the group never fully succumbs to the forces that work against them. Jupiter is calculated and rational, unlike Juno and Venus.
Neptune: Neptune is the god of the sea, and an ally of Aeneas and his mother, Venus. It is Neptune who stalls the storm that rages against Aeneas towards the end of his voyage.
Mercury: Mercury is the messenger. The other gods will typically call upon him when they have a message to deliver to Aeneas.
Aeolos: Aeolos is the god of the winds, he plots against the Trojans in Book I.
Allecto: Allecto is the avenger of sins, summoned by Juno in Book 6 to encourage the Latins to start a war with the Trojans.
Vulcan: Vulcan is the fire god, and the husband of Venus. Vulcan creates an indestructible set of weapons for Aeneas for use in his battle against Turnus.