Characters
The Aeneid, the Latin epic by Virgil in twelve books, follows the Trojan Aeneas from the fall of Troy to Italy. The people and gods named in the poem fall into four groups: the Trojans, the Carthaginians, the peoples of Italy, and the gods. Roman divine names correspond to Greek ones, and the final section lists the equivalents for the gods who appear.
Trojans
The hero of the poem and son of Venus and Anchises. In Dryden’s translation of the Argument of Book 1, he reaches an African port with his own ship and six more, and in Book 2 he carries his father on his shoulders and leads his little son by the hand as he leaves Troy. The poem ends with his duel with Turnus.
Father of Aeneas. According to the Argument of Book 3, he dies in Sicily; the Argument of Book 6 has him instruct his son in the underworld and show him the race of heroes that was to descend from him.
The young son of Aeneas, described in the Argument of Book 2 as his “little son” led by the hand from Troy.
Wife of Aeneas. The Argument of Book 2 says that she follows behind him on the flight from Troy, that he misses her at the rendezvous, and that her ghost later tells him of the land designed for him.
The Trojan warrior whose ghost, according to the Argument of Book 2, advises Aeneas before he leaves the city.
The Greek whose treachery, with the stratagem of the wooden horse, brings about the capture of Troy in the account the Argument of Book 2 gives.
Pilot of Aeneas, lost on the voyage from Sicily to Italy according to the Argument of Book 5.
A king of part of Sicily, born of Trojan parentage, who receives Aeneas hospitably in Book 5.
Carthaginians
Queen of Carthage. In the Arguments of Books 1 and 4, she receives Aeneas kindly, comes to love him through the device of Venus, shares a cave with him during a storm, and contrives her own death when he leaves.
Dido’s sister, to whom Dido discloses her passion for Aeneas in Book 4. The Argument refers to her only as “her sister”; the name is Virgil’s.
Italians
King who entertains Aeneas and promises him his only daughter, Lavinia, heiress of his crown (Argument of Book 7). In Book 11 he calls a council to propose offers of peace.
Daughter of Latinus, promised to Aeneas in Book 7.
Suitor of Lavinia, favored by her mother Amata and by Juno and Alecto. He breaks the treaty, kills Pallas in Book 10, challenges Aeneas to single combat in Book 12, and dies in the duel that ends the poem.
An ally of Turnus, described in the Argument of Book 10 as an atheist. Aeneas kills him, and in Book 11 sets up a trophy of his spoils.
Described in the Argument of Book 10 as a pious and virtuous youth; he is killed by Aeneas.
An ally of Turnus who, according to the Argument of Book 11, distinguishes herself in the cavalry engagement and is killed.
One of the neighboring princes drawn into Turnus’ quarrel in Book 7.
Ruler who receives Aeneas kindly in Book 8, furnishes him with men, and sends his son Pallas with him.
Son of Evander, killed by Turnus in Book 10; his body is sent home with great solemnity in Book 11.
A Latin figure whose quarrel with Turnus in the council of Book 11 is called one of great animosity.
A Greek leader, named in the Argument of Book 8, which says that Turnus sends to him.
Gods and other supernatural figures
Roman names of the gods correspond to Greek ones as follows: Jupiter to Zeus, Juno to Hera, Neptune to Poseidon, Venus to Aphrodite, Mercury to Hermes, and Vulcan to Hephaestus. Iris keeps her Greek name, and Aeolus is the keeper of the winds.
Opposes the Trojans. She asks Aeolus to raise the storm of Book 1, raises a second storm in Book 4, sends Iris in Book 5, and favors Turnus in Book 7.
Comforts Venus in Book 1, sends Mercury to Carthage in Book 1 to win the Carthaginians’ kind reception for the Trojans, sends Mercury to Aeneas himself in Book 4, extinguishes the burning ships with a shower in Book 5, and forbids the gods to take sides in Book 10.
Mother of Aeneas. She appears to him as a huntress in Book 1, advises him to leave Troy in Book 2, obtains a safe voyage from Neptune in Book 5, has Vulcan make his arms in Book 8, and cures him in Book 12.
Drives off the winds and calms the sea in Book 1.
Sent by Jupiter to Carthage in Book 1 to procure Aeneas a kind reception among the Carthaginians, and sent to Aeneas himself in Book 4 to warn him away from the city.
Makes arms for Aeneas at the request of Venus and draws on the shield the actions of his posterity (Book 8).
Raises the storm at the request of Juno in Book 1.
Sent by Juno in Book 5 to persuade the Trojan women to burn the ships.
Named in Book 7 as one who, with Juno, favors Turnus in breaking the treaty.
Foretells Aeneas his adventures in Italy and guides him through the underworld in Book 6.