The Aeneid (Book Ten - Book Twelve)

        Book Ten can be summarized as "the battle chapter." Jove calls together a council of the gods. He is distraught about the war that wages between the Italians and the Trojans. Venus and Juno both try to reason with Jove about their separate motives. Venus wants Jove to spare the Trojans lives and blames Juno. Juno says she had nothing to do with these chain of events. Jove quiets both women and makes the decision that how ever the clash between the Latins and the Trojans ends will be without help from the gods. He refuses to let Venus and Juno help their precious armies any more. He leaves it up to human power how the outcome will end. He states, "How each man weaves / his web will bring him to glory or to grief" (135-136). Jump back to the battle. The Trojans are still protecting their camp from the Latins, their man-power is dwindling but they still are able to hold out against the Latins. Aeneas has gained more support along his travels back to the fighting and the warrior plus his allies travel back on ships in order to speed up the process. After being entertained by stories Aeneas and his men are speed on through the waves by the water nymphs who were previously his fleet. Cymodocea, a water nymph, warns Aeneas about the upcoming challenges he will face when he gets to land. As Aeneas gets close to land Turnus leads his men toward the shore while giving the men a "pep-talk" before the battle begins. Turnus becomes worried about how to split up his warriors, while Aeneas strikes first and is able to kill many of Turnus' men. "So they clash, the Trojan armies, armies of Latins, / foot dug in against foot, man packed against man" (425-426). Pallas reprimands his men because they try to retreat, his words show the makings of a respected warrior. The son of Evander continues to show promise on the battle field. Virgil goes into depth about the many killings Pallas aided in.

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Eventually Turnus takes notice of Pallas' progression and tells his men to stand down. Pallas understands his fate will either be to strip Turnus of his reputation or die a noble death. Even though he prayed to the gods for glory, Jove knows he must turn his back on the young man because "Each man has his day, and the time of life / is brief for all..." (553-554). Pallas throws his spear and it barely, "scrapes the skin of Turnus' massive body" (568). Turnus responds by throwing his spear and stating "...with winging words: 'Now we'll see / if  my spear pierces deeper!'" (570-571). The fated spear lodges itself through Pallas' shield and his broad chest. Turnus gloats that King Evander made a hasty decision to ally with Aeneas and the Trojan leader goes on a rampage killing all the enemy insight after he hears of Pallas' terrible fate. The warrior's killing spree takes him through the blockade set up by the Latins. Virgil describes many of the Latins begging for mercy from Aeneas. The man shows no charity and kills all that are in sight. Switch back to the gods. Jove agrees with Juno that Venus is truly the goddess that is helping the Trojans. The Queen begs Jove to let her save her precious warrior, Turnus. Jove agrees and Juno creates a phantom Aeneas in order to lure Turnus onto a ship. Once on the ship Juno cuts the cables and whisks Turnus out to sea. Turnus is upset because he feels that he deserted his men in their time of need while Aeneas is disgraced by the fact that he was not successful in killing Pallas' murderer. Mezentius takes over as commander for the Latins and he is able to slay many of the Trojans. Virgil describes Mezentius as a wild-boar that men are afraid to attack but will throw weapons at in order to wound. Mezentius kills Orodes but before the solider takes his last breath he curses Mezentius' gloating by stating:

 "You don't have long to crow, whoever you are, my victor!

Vengeance waits, the same fate watches over you too,

you'll lie here in the same field -- very soon" (873-875).

The Latin takes no heed to this prophecy and continues on his killing spree. The two enemy leaders finally come in contact with each other. Through attempting to attack Mezentius, Aeneas is able to slaughter the enemies son, Lausus. Aeneas shows remorse for killing the son of a great leader. He views the death as if it were his own son, Ascanius.

"Forlorn young soldier, what can Aeneas,

in all honor, give you to match your glory no?

What gifts are worthy of such a noble spirit?

Keep your armor that gave you so much joy.

I give you back to your fathers' ash and shades

if it offers any solace. And this, at least,

may comfort you for a death so cruel, unlucky boy:

you went down under the hand of great Aeneas" (974-982)

Mezentius gets word of Lausus' death and becomes hysterical and immediately blames himself for his sons death.

"Was I so seized by the lust for life, my son,

I let you take my place before the enemy's sword?

My own flesh and blood! What, your father saved

by your own wounds? Kept alive by your death?

Oh, now at last I know the griefs of exile --

I, in all my pain ---at last, a wound strikes home...

I've stained your name, my son, with my own crimes,

detested, drummed from my fathers' scepter and their throne!

I owed a price to my land and people who despise me.

If only I'd paid in full with my own guilty life,

by any death on earth! But I live on, not yet

have I left the land of men and light of day

but I will leave it all!" (1003-1015).

He hurls himself onto his horse and surges toward Aeneas instigating a challenge. Mezentius flings several spears at Aeneas that glance off his shield. Aeneas cuts into the Latins horse and gets him thrown off the animal. The final blow comes for Aeneas' sword and is met with complete solace by the grieved father.
The book closes with a feeling of completeness, the battle has finished and there finally is a close to the destruction.
           Book Eleven opens with Aeneas mourning over the loss of Pallas. He regrets not being able to give Evander an alive war hero and in order to grieve the young man Aeneas prepares Pallas in a regal manor for the travel and burial back home. Aeneas' final words for Pallas are:

"The same dark fate of battle commands me back

to other tears. Hail forever, our great Pallas!

Hail forever and farewell!" (112-114)

Envoys from the Latin city come pleading for a truce in order to bury the dead from both sides properly. Aeneas grants the appeal and reprimands Turnus for starting a war that he "ran away" from. Dances, a Latin leader, attacks Turnus' motives for starting the lethal war. Peace is seen throughout the land while much mourning take places. Evander finally sees his heroic son and is devastated by his loss. He does not blame

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the Trojans and knows that Pallas died an honorable death. The only thing Evander wants from Aeneas is the life of his son's murderer, Turnus. Mourning and preparation of the dead bodies continues for many days. The widowed towns people blame Turnus for this massacre and state that he should be the one to decide its end with his own sword and shield in a duel with Aeneas. King Latinus calls together a council to decide Latins next step. The Latins are approached by Venulus who tells of his attempt to become allies with Diomedes. The warrior does not have any quarrels with these Trojans and refuses to involve himself.  He also advises the Latins to strive for a peace treaty with the great Trojan warrior, Aeneas. King Latinus proposes to create a peace treaty that encompasses land that would be given to the Trojans in order for them to settle. Diomedes, dead set against Turnus, calls to the council for favor in forcing the Latin warrior into a duel with Aeneas. Turnus' arrogance is viewed as the reason behind this devastating war. Because of his vanity the council supports the idea of a duel. They see that Turnus is willing to put his comrades in harms way in order to prove that he is the worthy match for King Latinus' daughter. I am some what confused as to how Turnus got back to shore. In my understanding Juno was sailing Turnus off to another land, but he somehow rejoins his Latin people in the council. Turnus defends his honor and rebukes Diomedes for verbally attacking him. He continues on in his speech and prays that if men are still willing to fight that the Latins allow this; however, if the town believes that Turnus should defend the country's honor by himself he is willing to make the sacrifice. While the Latins try to decided their next move Aeneas deploys "...his lines for battle" (537). A messenger comes to tell the Latin people of this attack. Turnus swells with pride at the attack, for it shows his point of battle to be proven.

"All right then citizens...

Summon your councils, sit there praising peace!

Our enemies swoop down on our country, full force!" (550-552).

The Latin people prepare for battle in a chaotic manner. Turnus is met by Camilla, a warrior queen, who wants to take on Aeneas' cavalry in the front lines. Camilla tells Turnus to stay behind and guard the city. He  learns of Aeneas plan to attack the city through a mountain passage. The Latin takes men towards the mountains in order to ambush their enemies. Before leaving Turnus entrust Camilla with the front attacks and states "You too assume a captain's joint command" (617-618). Diana, a goddess, calls Opis, one of her virgin comrades, to tell her of the precious Camilla. Virgil goes into detail of Camilla's background and how from a young age she was committed to the goddess by her father. She grew up around weapons and become a very skilled warrior at a young age. Diana is distraught that her cherished girl is willing to fight the Trojans and worries for her safety. The goddess charges Opis with the protection of Camilla. Whatever is done to her, be it a Trojan or Italian, Opis is instructed to do the same in return. The Trojans are seen closing in on the walls and once at a "spearcast away", both sides stop abruptly and then surge forward into the battle (720). The combat is fast and furious. The fighting continues and Camilla proves to be a very worthy

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opponent. She kills many Trojans and scatters her enemy thin. Camilla is initially viewed as weak because she is female; however, as the battle continues great Trojan warriors are brought down by this woman giving her a new reputation. Arruns flings a spear and only through a pray to Apollo is he able to hit the unlucky woman warrior. After he achieves this murderer, Arruns flees in terror not wanting to own up to the fact he had killed the queen. With her last words the queen tells her trusted friend, Acca, to find Turnus and tell him to come back to the battle in order to "...free the town from the Trojans!" (968). Opis kills Arruns in order avenge Camilla's death and without a leader the Latins retreat to their town in order to defend themselves from further harm. Acca brings news to Turnus of Camilla's death and his need to return. Turnus reluctantly leads his army away from the ambush minutes before Aeneas crosses the passage. On the trip back to the city the armies learn of their proximity. The book closes with the arms digging trenches in order to guard themselves. Nightfall approached quickly forcing the two armies to wait for battle.
               Book Twelve opens with Turnus seeing the brokenness of the Latins. He vows to take on Aeneas in a duel in order to stop this bloodshed. King Latinus tries to break Turnus' resolve and convince him that there are other alternatives. Turnus is more determined to follow through with the duel and the Queen also tries to persuade Turnus away from the duel. Turnus has King Latinus come up with a proper treaty that satisfies Aeneas. The Trojans and the Latins come to the duel as spectators. Juno gets around the order of Jove by telling, Turnus' goddess sister, Juturna,  that she can help her brother. Juno fears that Turnus' is out-matched and the goddess Queen manipulates Juturna with words of sorrow and ideas of how to protect Turnus. These ideas even incorporate pushing the Latin's to abort their treaty. Aeneas, Ascanius, Turnus, and Latinus enter into the duel-zone in chariots. Aeneas prays that what ever outcome is to materialize that his people will act in a respectful manner. King Latinus then prays that the pact made between the two sides will be fulfilled no matter the outcome. Virgil uses foreshadowing by making King Latinus pointedly discuss the importance of this treaty and how it needs to be upheld. Turnus is no match for Aeneas and his people see the poor match of power and begin to question the legitimacy of the duel. Juturna sees this concern; she disguises herself as a solider, Camers, and starts to spread rumors that intensify the doubt of the Latin people. She also scares the masses into thinking if Aeneas claims victory they will all be doomed for slavery.

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The deceiving goddess uses her magic to show the people an omen to help fortify the rumors. Tolumnius, moved by Juturna's deception, throws a spear of out rage that kills a strapping, Trojan, solider with nine brothers. His siblings are the first to take up arms. All hell breaks lose and the battle blazes onward. Aeneas, moved by his oath, tries to calm his men but his cries fall on deaf-ears. An anonymous arrow whizzes through the air and hits Aeneas. No one is willing to claim the prized wound. After seeing Aeneas hit with the arrow, Turnus ignites with hope and pushes harder into the battle. "...Turnus / is spreading death across the plains in all his triumph..." (447-448). Mnestheus, Achates, and Ascanius lead Aeneas to camp with the arrow still embedded in his skin. Iapyx, a surgeon, tries everything he knows to dislodge the point out of the wound. Venus sees her son in pain and conjures up some healing salve to loosen the grip of the arrow. Unaware of its origin, Iapyx receives the potion.The swiftness at which the medicine works, amazes Iapyx and he admits that a higher power is at work. Aeneas, fully healed, races back to join the fighting with an inflamed heart. Before racing on Aeneas leaves his son, Ascanius, with these words:

"Learn courage from me, my son, true hardship too.

Learn good luck from others. My hand will shield you

in war today and guide you toward the great rewards.

But mark my words. Soon as you ripen into manhood,

reaching back for the models of your kin, remember ---

father Aeneas and uncle Hector fire your heart!" (513-518).

Aeneas rejoins the war with added intensity. Turnus and comrades are able to recognize this difference and "...an icy chill of dread [runs] through their bones" (526). Aeneas refuses to fight anyone but Turnus initially. The Trojan is defiant about keeping true to his promise in the peace treaty. After being shot at and almost killed Aeneas changes his intent and begins to kill all the enemies he sees. Aeneas and Turnus continue to slaughter their opponents. Virgil describes their rampages by stating:

"Just as furious now those two, Aeneas, Turnus

rampaging through the battle, now their fury

boils over inside them, now their warring hearts

at the breaking point -- they don't concede defeat ---

and now they hack their wounding ways with all their force." (613-617).

While the violence continues Venus impels Aeneas to storm the city. When in the city Queen Amata, distraught by the fact that she thinks Turnus is dead, hangs herself because she believes that she is the reason. After hearing word of this tragedy the princess, the king and many of the Latin people mourn the death of their queen. While still battling in the field, Turnus hears grief rocking the walls of the city. His sister tries to dissuade him from joining the fight by trying to convince him that he can help more out in the field. He sees through her disguise and recognizes that she was the one to begin this spat. Turnus gets word of the turmoil in the city and denies his sister's request while racing towards the city. He begs the men to stop fighting in order to settle the dispute with a single duel. The duel begins and Virgil is able to create imagery that shows the duel at a carnal level. He explains the actions of the opponents and the audience like that of heifers and bulls. As the duel continues Turnus gets a clear shot at the Trojan and he strikes with a sword but is rudely surprised when it breaks at the hilt. The Latin had mistakenly grabbed that of his charioteer and only after facing the armor created by the God of Fire did the weapon break. Turnus hurriedly tries to locate his personal sword and Aeneas takes this opportunity to hunt Turnus down like a "...trapped stag..." (869). The two run around with Aeneas chasing Turnus as the Latin tries to find his weapon. Aeneas gets his sword stuck in a tree stump while Turnus prays to the tree to hold the weapon longer. Juturna rushes in and returns Turnus' sword. Venus plucks her sons sword from the stump. Jump to the gods. Jove asks Juno "'Where will it end, my queen? What is left at the last?'" (918). He continues on to scold Juno for her haughty behavior

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and forbids her to continue with her grudge. Juno admits to helping Aeneas' enemy but defends herself when trying to rationalize that she did not strike anyone herself. The one thing she asks for is that the Latin name and traditions be continued through the reign of Aeneas and his people. Jove sends an omen to Turnus that also helps to dismiss Juturna from her brother's battle. Juturna becomes distraught because she knows that she will live on the earth as an immortal while her brother is doomed for the underworld. Aeneas taunts Turnus for running away, but Turnus says that he does not fear the Trojan but his fear is created from that of his mortal foe, Jove. Turnus tries to throw a huge boulder at Aeneas but the weight is too much and he only throws it in between the two fighters. The Latin has a moment where he knows that his death is on the horizon. Aeneas is able to pierce Turnus in the thigh and bring him to the ground. Turnus grovels at the feet of his opponent and he asks that his body be delivered back to his father. Aeneas is moved by the words and almost lets the man live; however, the Trojan sees Pallas' sword-belt and he knows how this duel must end
Before killing Turnus, Aeneas cries in a rage:

"Decked in the spoils 

you stripped from one I loved ---escape my clutches? Never ---

Pallas strikes this blow, Pallas sacrifices you now, 

makes you pay the price with your own guilty blood!" (1105-1108).

Thus ends the epic.