Aeneid Study Guide OCR
1
, Table of Contents
Summaries
Storm and banquet……………………………………….
The fall of Troy …………………………………………….
The wanderings…………………………………………..
Dido…………………………………………………………….
Funeral games……………………………………………
The Underworld…………………………………………
War in Latium…………………………………………..
Aeneas in Rome…………………………………………
Nisus and Euryalus…………………………………
Pallas and Mezenthus …………………………….
Drances and Camilla……………………………….
Truce and Duel…………………………………………
2
, Analysis & Themes
Fate and Destiny Aeneas is bound by fate
(fatum/tyche) to found Rome. His
journey is driven by the gods' will,
and he must accept his destiny
despite personal desires and
hardships. The concept of fate is
unchangeable, even for the gods, as
seen in Jupiter’s decrees about
Rome’s future.
Duty and Piety Aeneas embodies pietas, or
devotion to the gods, family, and
country. He sacrifices his own
happiness, including his love for
Dido, to fulfil his duty. This contrasts
with characters like Turnus, who
acts on personal ambition rather
than duty.
War and suffering The second half of the Aeneid
focuses on war, mirroring the
conflicts that led to the rise of
Rome.
Virgil portrays war as both glorious
and tragic, emphasizing loss,
sacrifice, and human suffering.
The Role of the Gods and divine The gods frequently intervene in
intervention human affairs, helping or hindering
Aeneas.
Juno opposes Aeneas due to her
hatred for the Trojans, while Venus,
his mother, aids him. The gods
represent larger cosmic forces and
the inevitability of fate.
Rome’s Imperial Mission The poem serves as a justification
for Rome’s empire, presenting
Aeneas as a model Roman leader
who brings order to chaos.
Jupiter’s prophecy in Book 1 lays out
Rome’s divine mission to rule and
bring civilization.
Aeneids The companions of Aeneas
3
, Summaries
Storm and Banquet - BOOK I
The Trojans, seven years after leaving Troy, are on the precipice of reaching the coast of
Sicily (ITALY). They are hindered in their attempts to reach the land safely when Juno, the
special protector and special counsellor of the Roman state, delayed the plans of Aeneas
and his beleaguered crew. There are many reasons as to why Juno was so incensed against
that of the ancient immigrant peoples. Her “resentment” (line 28) stemmed from an inability
to forgive the “judgement of Paris” and the disproportionate honors “done to Ganymede”
(line?). As a result of these past grievances Juno diverts the wandering crew to the
resplendent land of the “Sidonian Dido” (line 447) in Carthage. Venus, goddess of love and
Aeneas’ mother, shows concern for her son and wants for him to be put out of his suffering.
Juno calls upon “Aeolus” (line 52) to use his power of the “raging winds of the south” (line
52) to make sure that Aeneas has no success in what it is he is attempting to do. This ordeal
on the raging sea was certainly precarious and “wherever the Trojans looked, death stared
them in the face.” “Father Neptune” (line 56), the god of the sea, calms the sea and displays
his anger concerning Aeolus’ ignorance to act in a body of “sea” he has no “jurisdiction”
over (line 138). Now that the storm was assuaged the “exhausted” “men” (line 158) “set
course for the coast of Libya” (line 160). Aeneas and his faithful companion “good Achates”
(line 197) explore the forest. He encounters a “Spartan girl” who really is his mother who
has mystically assumed the form of this individual. This girl who has the ability to weary
“horses” is questioned by Aeneas regarding their whereabouts. The “Spartian girl” informs
Aeneas that he has reached the northern African region of Carthage as well as Dido’s tragic
back story –with the “godless Pygmalion” (line 349) and her husband “Sychaeus” (line 343).
Once Venus reveals who she really is he is chastised by her son but then proceeds to hedge
Aeneas and his comrade Achates with a “thick mist” (line 411) that acts as a mystical
shroud of disguise. As they were now disguised under this blanket protection, Achates and
Aeneas stumbled upon the gentrification being performed by the “Tyrians” (line 424), with
the erection of “senate” (line 426) houses and the pleasure of leisure with “theatre” (line
428). Aeneas then catches glimpse of the frieze “under” Dido’s “roof” (line 454). These
artistic inscriptions were an indication to Aeneas that the “Trojan war already famous
throughout the world” (line 467). The images invoke a great sense of forlorn within Aeneas
and he has no choice but to shed “rivers of tears” (line 466). While still shrouded in the mist
4
,produced by his mother Venus he notices the commrades he thought were dead at sea.
They converse with Dido and she seeks to meet their leader. Following on from this Dido
assured Aeneas that they are to “have no fear” (line 563) because she was to do everything
within her power to ensure that they would “leave” Carthage “safe” and under Dido’s
“protection” (line 571). The mist about them disappeared and Aeneas, like Odysseus,
appeared in a glorified state with “beauty” (line 589). Aeneas expresses his gratitude to
Dido for deciding it necessary to “share” her “city and home” (line 601) with him and his
men. Dido lavishes the men with gifts of every nature as a “banquet” (line 658). Venus saw
this interaction between Dido and her son and wanted to do everything possible to ensure
that her son would be cared and loved for and no longer subject to the horrors that he
endured during his time in Troy/ or a possible Phoenician threat. She did so by causing Cupid
to assume the form of Ascanius- ultimately causing Dido to fall in an irrepressible love for
Aeneas. The Carthaginians were very hospitable to Aeneas and the other “men of Troy”(line
700); they were given “water” and copious amounts of “bread from baskets”. Dido
commemorates the celebration to “Jupiter” as he ordains the “laws of hospitality”(line 723).
This book draws to a close with the description of Dido’s enquiring mind of as she was
“drawing out the night with all manner of talk” (line749) to find out more about this unique
hero.
The Fall Of Troy- BOOK II
Summary
This chapter begins with Aeneas retelling his life before all hell broke loose in Troy. Aeneas
describes how he and his men felt upon seeing the “horse the size of a mountain” outside
the walls of the city. The bewildered Trojans consult a Greek named Sinon to help in their
comprehension of this gift. Sinon relays that it acts as an “offering to the virgin goddess
Minerva” (line 31). Sinon warns that if any harm comes to the Greek horse Minerva’s wrath
will be incurred and Troy will fall. If the Horse was taken within the walls, however, the
Trojans would have the chance to be victorious in war against southern Greece. Laocoon
(chosen priest of Neptune) was “uncertain” (line 38) and chastised the blind Trojans for
believing the lies spewed out by Sinon. He tried to demonstrate the futility of receiving gifts
from their enemies as it is always normative for Greeks to bear gifs with a “devious
purpose” (line 45). In his anger at the gullibility of the Trojans he threw a “spear” at the
horse and while he was sacrificing a huge bull at the altar was consumed mercilessly by two
“serpents” (line 207) that had emerged from the water and he was no more. They perceive
these snakes incorrectly and viewed them as a confirmation to wheel the horse in. Now as
the night fell the “liar Sinon” (line 195) “stealthily undid the pine bolts of the horse and freed
the Greeks from its womb” (line 260). This occurred while the Trojans where asleep and
were therefore least unable to react with mental sharpness. The Homeric hero Aeneas
receives intel from Hector in a vision of the night alerting him of the Greek incursion inside
5
,the walls of Troy. While on the roof Aeneas realized the cunning of the Greek and stupidity
of the Trojan he understood “the Trojans are no more”(line 326). After spectating the
barbaric slaughter of Priam and his son Polites at the hands of Pyrrhus, Aeneas wanted to
ensure that the same did not happen to his son and family who were still unsuspecting of
the plight that had fallen upon their city. After thinking these dark thoughts Aeneas “caught
sight” (line 568) of Helen (the reason for the conflict) and if not for the divine intervention of
his mother- Venus- he would have inflicted harm upon her. Aeneas then flees to collect his
family and obey Venus to flee the damned city of Troy for their own safety. Anchises was
stubborn as he informed Aeneas that he was not to leave and Creusa pleaded that she
comes with him as she wanted to “share” Aeneas’ “fate” (line 677). It would take two
profound omens for Anchises to leave. These were:
- the head of Iulus illuminating
- a star falling from the sky ( a confirmation of the above)
After long deliberation the whole family finally leave; with Iulus/Ascanius holding his fathers
hand, Anchises on Aeneas’ back and Creusa following behind. As they were leaving they
were swept up in the clamor of people ,Trojans, trying to leave the city and unfortunately
Creusa went missing and was later discovered to be dead- this was confirmed by her
phantom appearing to Aeneas and relaying that he needn’t morun but he should look ahead
to the magnificence of a future in Hesperia where his home will be restored as well as a
“bride” (line 784). The book ends with a hopeful yet heavy Aeneas as he travels to the
“mountain” alongside his remaining family and surviving Trojans who had been “collected
for exile” (line 798)
BOOK III- THE WANDERINGS
NON- PRESCRIBED
Summary
This flashback recounts how Aeneas and surviving comrades sail north to Thrace to attempt
and make Thrace their home and city. It fails however because of the spirit of Polydorus that
spoke to him from the tree. They hold a funeral for the son of Priam which had not yet been
6
, mourned. They now embark from Thrace to Delos with heavy hearts. It is here that Aeneas is
instructed by Appollo’s oracle to visit the land of his ancestors- Anchises understanding this
to be Teucer an ancestor of the Trojans. They then sail to the land of Crete to found a city
but soon find their stay to be cursed by a year of death and low crop yield (gods typically
used to send pestilence and illness as an indication that the wrong direction has been taken)
. Odysseus father, Anchises, then recommends that they consult the oracle. Aeneas now
realized that his father Anchises was incorrect in his presumption that Crete was their home.
Troy’s hearth gods then informed Aeneas that he was really supposed to go to Hesperia
(otherwise known as Italy) where their ancestor Dardanus formerly resided. As they now
journeyed to the correct land of Italy/Hesperia. They were soon caught up in a storm that
caused them to pitch up at an island in the Ionian sea. They were soon attacked by Harpies
(birds of prey and half women). This brutal attack caused the leader of the Harpies Celaeno
to curse Aeneas and his men. Her curse comprised of Aeneas’ people being driven to hunger
by famine and ultimately trying to find nourishment in their very own tables. They then sail
away to the land of Epirus they find other Trojans rebuilding and where Andromache (widow
of Hector) and her husband prophet Helenus (relative of the dammed prophetess Cassandra)
are there to welcome them. Upon the impending departure from Betrotham, the prophet
informs Aeneas that trials in many forms (Scylla and Charybdis) would come that must be
encountered before the men where to get to Italy and fulfill Jupiter’s prophecy. Helenus
informed Aeneas that if he was to see:
A white sow with a litter of thirty young
Then there he was to found his city on that specific spot. Helenus advised Aeneas to:
Appease Juno’s hatred towards him by remembering to offer sacrifices to the sibyl(a
description of antiquity to describe a woman who were able to see into the future) of
Cumae
We are then told of the death of Andromache's son’s murderer. Pyrrhus was killed by
Orestes before his own father’s alter- rather ironic as this was the same manner in which he
had slaughtered Priam and Polites.
The Trojans sailed to Ceraunia. Once sacrifices had been made to Juno they had a brief
ordeal with the 6 headed monster Scylla and Charybdis that Helenus had warned them
about.
After this they landed on the coast of Sicily where they took the time to rest a fearful night
near Mt. Aetna. The next morning, they were aggressively approached by a stranded
member of Ulixes (Odysseus’) company Achaemenids (one who waits with affliction). He
begged to be taken with them after he had been left behind following their encounter with
Polyphemus – the cyclops. When neighboring cyclopes appeared Aeneas displayed
clementia and magnanimity by taking this Greek under his wing protecting him against the
Cyclopes. They now sailed along the coast of Sicily where they then “put into port at
Drepanum”. Anchises who had been Aeneas’ “support in every difficulty and disaster” had
perished here. (line 712).
AENEID BOOK IIII- DIDO
7
1
, Table of Contents
Summaries
Storm and banquet……………………………………….
The fall of Troy …………………………………………….
The wanderings…………………………………………..
Dido…………………………………………………………….
Funeral games……………………………………………
The Underworld…………………………………………
War in Latium…………………………………………..
Aeneas in Rome…………………………………………
Nisus and Euryalus…………………………………
Pallas and Mezenthus …………………………….
Drances and Camilla……………………………….
Truce and Duel…………………………………………
2
, Analysis & Themes
Fate and Destiny Aeneas is bound by fate
(fatum/tyche) to found Rome. His
journey is driven by the gods' will,
and he must accept his destiny
despite personal desires and
hardships. The concept of fate is
unchangeable, even for the gods, as
seen in Jupiter’s decrees about
Rome’s future.
Duty and Piety Aeneas embodies pietas, or
devotion to the gods, family, and
country. He sacrifices his own
happiness, including his love for
Dido, to fulfil his duty. This contrasts
with characters like Turnus, who
acts on personal ambition rather
than duty.
War and suffering The second half of the Aeneid
focuses on war, mirroring the
conflicts that led to the rise of
Rome.
Virgil portrays war as both glorious
and tragic, emphasizing loss,
sacrifice, and human suffering.
The Role of the Gods and divine The gods frequently intervene in
intervention human affairs, helping or hindering
Aeneas.
Juno opposes Aeneas due to her
hatred for the Trojans, while Venus,
his mother, aids him. The gods
represent larger cosmic forces and
the inevitability of fate.
Rome’s Imperial Mission The poem serves as a justification
for Rome’s empire, presenting
Aeneas as a model Roman leader
who brings order to chaos.
Jupiter’s prophecy in Book 1 lays out
Rome’s divine mission to rule and
bring civilization.
Aeneids The companions of Aeneas
3
, Summaries
Storm and Banquet - BOOK I
The Trojans, seven years after leaving Troy, are on the precipice of reaching the coast of
Sicily (ITALY). They are hindered in their attempts to reach the land safely when Juno, the
special protector and special counsellor of the Roman state, delayed the plans of Aeneas
and his beleaguered crew. There are many reasons as to why Juno was so incensed against
that of the ancient immigrant peoples. Her “resentment” (line 28) stemmed from an inability
to forgive the “judgement of Paris” and the disproportionate honors “done to Ganymede”
(line?). As a result of these past grievances Juno diverts the wandering crew to the
resplendent land of the “Sidonian Dido” (line 447) in Carthage. Venus, goddess of love and
Aeneas’ mother, shows concern for her son and wants for him to be put out of his suffering.
Juno calls upon “Aeolus” (line 52) to use his power of the “raging winds of the south” (line
52) to make sure that Aeneas has no success in what it is he is attempting to do. This ordeal
on the raging sea was certainly precarious and “wherever the Trojans looked, death stared
them in the face.” “Father Neptune” (line 56), the god of the sea, calms the sea and displays
his anger concerning Aeolus’ ignorance to act in a body of “sea” he has no “jurisdiction”
over (line 138). Now that the storm was assuaged the “exhausted” “men” (line 158) “set
course for the coast of Libya” (line 160). Aeneas and his faithful companion “good Achates”
(line 197) explore the forest. He encounters a “Spartan girl” who really is his mother who
has mystically assumed the form of this individual. This girl who has the ability to weary
“horses” is questioned by Aeneas regarding their whereabouts. The “Spartian girl” informs
Aeneas that he has reached the northern African region of Carthage as well as Dido’s tragic
back story –with the “godless Pygmalion” (line 349) and her husband “Sychaeus” (line 343).
Once Venus reveals who she really is he is chastised by her son but then proceeds to hedge
Aeneas and his comrade Achates with a “thick mist” (line 411) that acts as a mystical
shroud of disguise. As they were now disguised under this blanket protection, Achates and
Aeneas stumbled upon the gentrification being performed by the “Tyrians” (line 424), with
the erection of “senate” (line 426) houses and the pleasure of leisure with “theatre” (line
428). Aeneas then catches glimpse of the frieze “under” Dido’s “roof” (line 454). These
artistic inscriptions were an indication to Aeneas that the “Trojan war already famous
throughout the world” (line 467). The images invoke a great sense of forlorn within Aeneas
and he has no choice but to shed “rivers of tears” (line 466). While still shrouded in the mist
4
,produced by his mother Venus he notices the commrades he thought were dead at sea.
They converse with Dido and she seeks to meet their leader. Following on from this Dido
assured Aeneas that they are to “have no fear” (line 563) because she was to do everything
within her power to ensure that they would “leave” Carthage “safe” and under Dido’s
“protection” (line 571). The mist about them disappeared and Aeneas, like Odysseus,
appeared in a glorified state with “beauty” (line 589). Aeneas expresses his gratitude to
Dido for deciding it necessary to “share” her “city and home” (line 601) with him and his
men. Dido lavishes the men with gifts of every nature as a “banquet” (line 658). Venus saw
this interaction between Dido and her son and wanted to do everything possible to ensure
that her son would be cared and loved for and no longer subject to the horrors that he
endured during his time in Troy/ or a possible Phoenician threat. She did so by causing Cupid
to assume the form of Ascanius- ultimately causing Dido to fall in an irrepressible love for
Aeneas. The Carthaginians were very hospitable to Aeneas and the other “men of Troy”(line
700); they were given “water” and copious amounts of “bread from baskets”. Dido
commemorates the celebration to “Jupiter” as he ordains the “laws of hospitality”(line 723).
This book draws to a close with the description of Dido’s enquiring mind of as she was
“drawing out the night with all manner of talk” (line749) to find out more about this unique
hero.
The Fall Of Troy- BOOK II
Summary
This chapter begins with Aeneas retelling his life before all hell broke loose in Troy. Aeneas
describes how he and his men felt upon seeing the “horse the size of a mountain” outside
the walls of the city. The bewildered Trojans consult a Greek named Sinon to help in their
comprehension of this gift. Sinon relays that it acts as an “offering to the virgin goddess
Minerva” (line 31). Sinon warns that if any harm comes to the Greek horse Minerva’s wrath
will be incurred and Troy will fall. If the Horse was taken within the walls, however, the
Trojans would have the chance to be victorious in war against southern Greece. Laocoon
(chosen priest of Neptune) was “uncertain” (line 38) and chastised the blind Trojans for
believing the lies spewed out by Sinon. He tried to demonstrate the futility of receiving gifts
from their enemies as it is always normative for Greeks to bear gifs with a “devious
purpose” (line 45). In his anger at the gullibility of the Trojans he threw a “spear” at the
horse and while he was sacrificing a huge bull at the altar was consumed mercilessly by two
“serpents” (line 207) that had emerged from the water and he was no more. They perceive
these snakes incorrectly and viewed them as a confirmation to wheel the horse in. Now as
the night fell the “liar Sinon” (line 195) “stealthily undid the pine bolts of the horse and freed
the Greeks from its womb” (line 260). This occurred while the Trojans where asleep and
were therefore least unable to react with mental sharpness. The Homeric hero Aeneas
receives intel from Hector in a vision of the night alerting him of the Greek incursion inside
5
,the walls of Troy. While on the roof Aeneas realized the cunning of the Greek and stupidity
of the Trojan he understood “the Trojans are no more”(line 326). After spectating the
barbaric slaughter of Priam and his son Polites at the hands of Pyrrhus, Aeneas wanted to
ensure that the same did not happen to his son and family who were still unsuspecting of
the plight that had fallen upon their city. After thinking these dark thoughts Aeneas “caught
sight” (line 568) of Helen (the reason for the conflict) and if not for the divine intervention of
his mother- Venus- he would have inflicted harm upon her. Aeneas then flees to collect his
family and obey Venus to flee the damned city of Troy for their own safety. Anchises was
stubborn as he informed Aeneas that he was not to leave and Creusa pleaded that she
comes with him as she wanted to “share” Aeneas’ “fate” (line 677). It would take two
profound omens for Anchises to leave. These were:
- the head of Iulus illuminating
- a star falling from the sky ( a confirmation of the above)
After long deliberation the whole family finally leave; with Iulus/Ascanius holding his fathers
hand, Anchises on Aeneas’ back and Creusa following behind. As they were leaving they
were swept up in the clamor of people ,Trojans, trying to leave the city and unfortunately
Creusa went missing and was later discovered to be dead- this was confirmed by her
phantom appearing to Aeneas and relaying that he needn’t morun but he should look ahead
to the magnificence of a future in Hesperia where his home will be restored as well as a
“bride” (line 784). The book ends with a hopeful yet heavy Aeneas as he travels to the
“mountain” alongside his remaining family and surviving Trojans who had been “collected
for exile” (line 798)
BOOK III- THE WANDERINGS
NON- PRESCRIBED
Summary
This flashback recounts how Aeneas and surviving comrades sail north to Thrace to attempt
and make Thrace their home and city. It fails however because of the spirit of Polydorus that
spoke to him from the tree. They hold a funeral for the son of Priam which had not yet been
6
, mourned. They now embark from Thrace to Delos with heavy hearts. It is here that Aeneas is
instructed by Appollo’s oracle to visit the land of his ancestors- Anchises understanding this
to be Teucer an ancestor of the Trojans. They then sail to the land of Crete to found a city
but soon find their stay to be cursed by a year of death and low crop yield (gods typically
used to send pestilence and illness as an indication that the wrong direction has been taken)
. Odysseus father, Anchises, then recommends that they consult the oracle. Aeneas now
realized that his father Anchises was incorrect in his presumption that Crete was their home.
Troy’s hearth gods then informed Aeneas that he was really supposed to go to Hesperia
(otherwise known as Italy) where their ancestor Dardanus formerly resided. As they now
journeyed to the correct land of Italy/Hesperia. They were soon caught up in a storm that
caused them to pitch up at an island in the Ionian sea. They were soon attacked by Harpies
(birds of prey and half women). This brutal attack caused the leader of the Harpies Celaeno
to curse Aeneas and his men. Her curse comprised of Aeneas’ people being driven to hunger
by famine and ultimately trying to find nourishment in their very own tables. They then sail
away to the land of Epirus they find other Trojans rebuilding and where Andromache (widow
of Hector) and her husband prophet Helenus (relative of the dammed prophetess Cassandra)
are there to welcome them. Upon the impending departure from Betrotham, the prophet
informs Aeneas that trials in many forms (Scylla and Charybdis) would come that must be
encountered before the men where to get to Italy and fulfill Jupiter’s prophecy. Helenus
informed Aeneas that if he was to see:
A white sow with a litter of thirty young
Then there he was to found his city on that specific spot. Helenus advised Aeneas to:
Appease Juno’s hatred towards him by remembering to offer sacrifices to the sibyl(a
description of antiquity to describe a woman who were able to see into the future) of
Cumae
We are then told of the death of Andromache's son’s murderer. Pyrrhus was killed by
Orestes before his own father’s alter- rather ironic as this was the same manner in which he
had slaughtered Priam and Polites.
The Trojans sailed to Ceraunia. Once sacrifices had been made to Juno they had a brief
ordeal with the 6 headed monster Scylla and Charybdis that Helenus had warned them
about.
After this they landed on the coast of Sicily where they took the time to rest a fearful night
near Mt. Aetna. The next morning, they were aggressively approached by a stranded
member of Ulixes (Odysseus’) company Achaemenids (one who waits with affliction). He
begged to be taken with them after he had been left behind following their encounter with
Polyphemus – the cyclops. When neighboring cyclopes appeared Aeneas displayed
clementia and magnanimity by taking this Greek under his wing protecting him against the
Cyclopes. They now sailed along the coast of Sicily where they then “put into port at
Drepanum”. Anchises who had been Aeneas’ “support in every difficulty and disaster” had
perished here. (line 712).
AENEID BOOK IIII- DIDO
7
