ROMAN MYTHOLOGY AND SAGA^649Underworld. He is a wanderer, like Odysseus, in search of a home; and he is
the son of a goddess, like Achilles, terrible in single combat. But he is also an
exile, who has been defeated in a great war and has seen his city destroyed. His
character is epitomized in the scene where he leaves Troy with Anchises, sym-
bol of the past, on his shoulders, while holding the hand of Ascanius, hope of
the future (see pages 477-478). When we first meet Aeneas in the storm in
Book 1, he wishes he were dead and his "limbs were loosened with cold fear"
(1. 92-96), yet on coming to land he speaks to his followers words that show his
patience, courage, and hope (Aeneid 1. 198-207):f
My companions—for we are not inexperienced in adversity—O friends who
have suffered worse, the god will bring an end to these things also. You came
to the fury of Scylla and the sounding rocks, you experienced the cave of the
Cyclops. Recall your courage and dismiss dejected fear. Perhaps we shall be glad
to remember these things also in the future. Through varied fortunes, through
so many dangers, we go to Latium, where fate shows us a peaceful home. There
the kingdom of Troy is destined to rise again. Endure, and keep yourselves for
prosperous times!Yet Aeneas' path is never simple. In Carthage he loves and is loved by Dido,
and in a last interview with her he tells her that he must obey Jupiter, whose
messenger Mercury has appeared to him, however unwillingly (4. 356-361):¥
Now also the messenger of the gods sent from Jupiter himself has brought his
orders flying swiftly through the air. I myself saw the god in the clear light en-
tering the city and with my own ears I heard him speak. Do not inflame me and
yourself with your complaints. I go to Italy not of my own will.
In the last part of the poem, Aeneas must fight a terrible war against the Ru-
tulians, led by Turnus, and their allies. In the final scene of the poem, Aeneas
and Turnus meet in single combat, and the poem ends with the death of Tur-
nus, who has pleaded with Aeneas for his life. Turnus had earlier killed Pallas,
son of Evander, Aeneas' host at Pallanteum, and put on his victim's sword-belt.
Here are the last fifteen lines of the poem (12. 938-952):¥
Aeneas stood armed eager to attack, surveying [Turnus], and he kept his hand
from striking. Even now more and more Turnus' appeal had begun to deflect
him as he hesitated, while the ill-starred belt came into his view high on [Tur-
nus'l shoulder and the well-known studs glittered on the boy Pallas' strap. Tur-
nus had felled him with a [fatal] wound and wore his enemy's fittings on his
shoulders. Aeneas gazed profoundly at the reminder of his savage grief and at
the spoils; and on fire with rage and terrible in his anger, he spoke: "Will you,
wearing the spoils taken from my friends, be snatched from me? Pallas with this
blow sacrifices you and exacts payment from your sinful blood."
With these words in hot anger he sank the sword in Turnus' chest. His limbs
collapsed in the coldness [of death] and his life fled with a groan complaining
to the Underworld.