Chapter Synopsis of The Aeneid - Study Guide by Virgil

holds the dying queen in her arms. Juno, taking pity on her anguish, sends Iris down from Olympus, who takes a lock of Dido's hair. All life then passes from Dido's body.

Book 5 - Funeral Games for Anchises

As Aeneas sails away, he and the other Trojans see the flame of Dido's pyre and rightly fear the worst. Because of a storm, they make for Sicily, where they are met by Acestes, a friend of theirs. The next day, Aeneas summons his comrades and tells them that it is the anniversary of Anchises' death, and that they will celebrate with games in his honour in nine days time. He pours a libation to his father. A portent, a large rainbow-coloured snake, appears and is seen as an encouraging sign of Anchises' presence. The ceremony and banquet continue.

The first race is a ship-race between Mnestheus, Gyas, Sergestus and Cloanthus - all founders of great Roman houses. Aeneas establishes a rock as the turning-point. In an exciting race, Gyas takes the lead, followed by Cloanthus, Mnestheus and Sergestus. Gyas argues with his pilot and throws him overboard for disobeying him. Cloanthus then overtakes him. Sergestus and Mnestheus also hope to overtake him, and Mnestheus urges his men not to be last. Sergestus steers too near to a rock, is caught and runs aground. Mnestheus speeds past him and Gyas, but fails to beat Cloanthus, who makes vows to the gods of the sea and wins their aid. Aeneas awards prizes to the three crews and captains. Sergestus finally manages to bring in his disabled ship and is given the fourth prize.

Aeneas and the spectators go inland for the foot race. Nisus is winning until he falls over. He then deliberately trips Salius in order that Euryalus might win. This Euryalus does, with Diores second, but all four win prizes.

Aeneas proclaims two prizes for the boxing match. Dares claims the first prize unopposed. Acestes urges Entellus, an old Sicilian champion, to enter. At first, he is reluctant because of his age, but eventually he agrees and produces a terrible pair of gloves with nails of iron. Dares refuses to fight one so armed, and Entellus consents to fight on equal terms. Aeneas brings out a matching pair of gauntlets and the fight begins. After preliminary sparring, Entellus aims a mighty blow which misses and causes him to fall flat on the ground. He is helped to his feet and furiously drives Dares round the arena. Aeneas intervenes to stop the fight. Dares is carried away by friends to his ship and Entellus receives an ox as a prize, which he kills with one blow, as a sacrifice to Eryx.

Aeneas declares an archery contest, the target being a dove tied to a mast. Hippocoon, Mnestheus, Eurytion and Acestes compete. Hippocoon hits the mast, Mnestheus divides the cord, which lets the bird escape, Eurytion kills the bird, and Acestes, with no target left, shoots into the air. His arrow catches fire. Aeneas interprets this as a good omen and awards him first prize.

The final event is an equestrian display by the Trojan boys. Such a ceremony was introduced by lulus to Alba Longa, and was later handed on to the Romans under the name 'lusus Troiae'. The scene moves to the ships, where Iris, sent by Juno, has persuaded the Trojan women to set fire to the ships, by disguising herself as one of them and rousing indignation about their fate. She flings the first torch herself. When she is recognised as a goddess, the others stand in doubt, but, as she vanishes, they are seized with frenzy and set the ships alight. News reaches the Trojans at the games. Ascanius gallops up and calms the women, but the flame burns on, despite efforts to extinguish it. Aeneas invokes Jupiter either to save or destroy them. A tremendous storm follows immediately, and all but four ships are saved.

Aeneas nevertheless is in despair and wonders whether to settle in Sicily after all, but Nautes advises him not to give up on the mission to make for Italy, but to allow those who do not wish to continue to found their own city in Sicily. Aeneas is even more perplexed, but Anchises appears to him in a dream and bids him follow Nautes advice. First, however, he must visit him in the Underworld and learn the future. They all agree to act in this way. The ships are repaired, the new city begun and honours paid to Venus and Anchises.