Chapter Synopsis of The Aeneid - Study Guide by Virgil

wait for battle. They then spend the night in merry carousal, while the Trojans watch them anxiously and prepare their defences.

Nisus tells Euryalus of his desire for deeds of great valour and of his plans to escape in order to tell Aeneas of the latest developments. Euryalus begs to accompany him and, in spite of entreaties, will take no refusal. The two friends go out and seek the leaders in the camp, and Nisus explains their plan. Ascanius promises all manner of gifts. Euryalus asks Ascanius to protect his mother, which he promises to do.

They enter the Rutulian camp and kill many of the enemy, whom they find in drunken sleep. As dawn appears, they hastily seize spoils and leave the camp. Troops from Laurentum catch sight of Euryalus and give chase. Nisus escapes pursuit, but returns to find Euryalus surrounded. He kills two of the attackers, but fails to save Euryalus, who is slain by Voscens, who is in turn slain by Nisus. Finally, Nisus is himself killed and sinks lifeless on his friend's body. The Rutuli discover what has happened and at dawn advance to the Trojan camp, carrying the heads of the two Trojan warriors on spears. Rumour brings news of Euryalus' death to his mother, who is overcome by grief and prays for death until she is carried inside.

Meanwhile, the Vosci advance under a dome of shields. Their shield-shelter is destroyed by the Trojans and a battle of missiles follows. The Italians attack and set fire to a high tower, which crashes down on the Trojan defenders. Remulus, Turnus' brother-in-law, taunts the Trojans for their womanish cowardice, but is then slain by Ascanius after his prayer to Jupiter. As a result, Apollo praises him but forbids him to fight further. The other Trojans, though, fiercely renew the battle. The gates of the camp are burst open and the Rutuli rush in, but they are driven back, as the Trojans sally out in pursuit. Turnus rushes forward and slays Bitias, one of the gate guards, and other Trojans. Mars gives courage to the Latins, but terror to the Trojans. Turnus misses the chance to throw open the gate to his comrades, but kills many Trojans within the camp. Mnestheus and Sergestus rebuke the broken Trojan line and rally them to drive Turnus back to the river, where he jumps in and returns safely to his comrades.

Book 10 - Deaths of Pallas, Lausus and Mezentius

Jupiter calls a council of the gods and asks why such discord is occurring when he had forbidden war between Italians and Trojans. For, he says, the time for war will come when Carthage threatens Rome. Venus complains of Juno's schemes and asks that she may be allowed to take Ascanius from the battle and keep him safe, even if that means that Aeneas must be tossed by storms on unknown waters and must follow the road that Fortune gives him. Juno replies that she did not cause the Trojan War, and justifies her help for the Rutuli by pointing to the aid that Venus is giving to Aeneas. Tumult follows, which Jupiter silences, shaking Olympus by nodding.

The Rutuli renew their attack, and a thin line of Trojan heroes (including an unarmed Ascanius) tries to repel them with missiles. Meanwhile, in the night that follows, Aeneas sails back from visiting Tarchon, whose aid he has secured. A list of the Tuscan leaders and their men follows.

The nymphs (that previously were ships) come and bid Aeneas wake up and prepare, and then they speed his ship to the shore. He prays to Cybele and, as day dawns, he makes for the shore. The Trojans take heart, while the Rutulians are frightened by the approaching fleet and threatening gleam of Aeneas' armour. Turnus, undismayed, urges his men to attack Aeneas during the confusion of landing. As the Trojans land, Tarchon runs his ship onto a reef and it is wrecked.

Battle begins and Aeneas kills many warriors. On both sides combat is waged desperately. The Arcadian cavalry begin to yield, but are rallied by Pallas, whom the Trojans make a charge to help. Pallas kills Halaesus and at last meets Lausus. However, they are destined not to fight it out to the end, but to meet their deaths elsewhere. Accordingly, there is a showdown between Pallas and Turnus. Pallas calls upon Hercules for aid, but Jupiter prevents him, since Pallas is now fated to die. Turnus receives a graze from Pallas' spear but in return deals him a fatal thrust. Turnus spoils him of his belt, little knowing