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Aeneid III Overview

  • Title: Aeneid III

  • Author: Gianlorenzo Bernini (ca. 1618)

Characters and Setting

  • Aeneas: The Trojan hero and leader of the exiles.

  • Anchises: Aeneas's father.

  • Ascanius: Aeneas's son.

  • Location: The narrative focuses on various locations including Troy, Delos, Crete, Strophades, Actium, Buthrotum, Acroceraunia, Castrum Minervae, Mt. Etna, and Drepanum.

Summary of Events in Book III

Initial Journey

  • Lines 1-12:

    • After the destruction of Troy, Aeneas and his companions build a fleet.

    • They set sail at the beginning of summer towards unknown lands.

Encounter in Thrace

  • Lines 13-18:

    • Aeneas founds his first city, named Aeneadae, in Thrace.

The Vision of Polydorus

  • Lines 19-68:

    • Aeneas tears up myrtle and cornel shoots to wreathe the altars which results in drops of blood from the broken stems.

    • A voice from beneath the earth, identified as Polydorus, reveals he was murdered after being sent to Thrace.

    • Aeneas calls a council, leading to the decision to leave Thrace.

    • Preparations for funeral rites for Polydorus commence.

Journey to Delos

  • Lines 69-83:

    • The Trojans sail to Delos, the sacred island of Apollo, where they are well received by Anius.

Oracular Guidance at Delos

  • Lines 84-120:

    • Aeneas prays to Apollo for guidance; he receives an oracle instructing the Trojans to seek their “ancient mother.”

    • Anchises interprets this as directing them to Crete, prompting preparations for departure.

Crete and the Pestilence

  • Lines 121-134:

    • The Trojans sail to Crete, landing and beginning to build a town called Pergamum.

  • Lines 135-191:

    • A pestilence strikes the Trojans.

    • Anchises suggests returning to Delos for further consultation with the oracle.

    • A vision of the Penates appears to Aeneas, revealing that their destined city is in Hesperia (Italy).

    • Realizing the mistake in interpreting the oracle, they leave Crete.

Encounter with the Strophades

  • Lines 192-208:

    • The Trojans face a violent storm for three days and nights, then reach the Strophades on the fourth day.

  • Lines 209-277:

    • Upon landing, they kill cattle for a meal, but are attacked by the Harpies, half-human creatures who defile their food.

    • Aeneas and his men successfully fend off the Harpies.

    • Celaeno, the oldest Harpy, delivers a grim prophecy that the Trojans will not found their city until hunger compels them to eat their tables.

    • They continue their journey after departing from the Strophades.

Celebrations and Hospitality in Actium

  • Lines 278-293:

    • In Actium, the Trojans make offerings and celebrate games.

    • Aeneas dedicates a shield to Apollo before setting sail for Buthrotum.

  • Location Transition: Transition from the joyful celebrations in Actium to the subsequent arrival in Buthrotum.

Hospitality in Buthrotum

  • Lines 294-355:

    • In Buthrotum, they learn about Helenus, son of Priam, who rules part of Pyrrhus's kingdom and is married to Andromache.

    • Aeneas encounters Andromache at the tomb of Hector; she recounts her misfortunes since the fall of Troy.

    • Helenus extends a warm welcome to the Trojans.

Prophecy from Helenus

  • Lines 356-373:

    • Aeneas consults Helenus about the voyage and the prophecy of Celaeno.

    • Helenus leads him to the temple to deliver his prophecy.

  • Lines 374-462:

    • Helenus confirms that the Trojans have a long journey ahead.

    • Signs to locate their future city will include a white sow and her piglets.

    • He reassures them not to fear Celaeno's threat and warns them to avoid the dangers of the eastern Italian coast.

    • Instructions include sacral rituals and sailing around Sicily to miss Scylla and Charybdis.

    • Emphasis must be placed on prayers and sacrifices to Juno.

    • The Trojans must land at Cumae to consult the Sybill for war prophecies.

  • Lines 463-505:

    • Helenus gifts the Trojans items, including presents from Andromache to Ascanius in memory of Astyanax.

    • Aeneas promises eternal friendship between their communities and bids farewell.

Sightings and Omens

  • Lines 506-547:

    • After departing Buthrotum, the Trojans sail to Acroceraunia.

    • They spend the night there and set off early the next day.

    • They see Italy for the first time, landing at Castrum Minervae.

    • Anchises interprets the sight of four white horses as an omen of peace and war.

    • They make offerings to Juno and embark once again.

Adventures Round Sicily

  • Lines 548-587:

    • The Trojans sail across the bay of Tarentum, successfully avoiding Scylla and Charybdis, and nearing the coast of Sicily near Mt. Etna.

    • They spend a fearful night under the shadow of the volcano.

Encounter with Achaemenides

  • Lines 588-654:

    • The Trojans find a starved castaway, Achaemenides, who was abandoned by Ulysses after encountering the Cyclops Polyphemus.

  • Lines 655-691:

    • As they take Achaemenides aboard, Polyphemus and other Cyclopes appear.

    • The Trojans make haste to depart, successfully avoiding a confrontation as the wind is favorable; they sail southward along the Sicilian coast.

  • Lines 692-718:

    • They continue sailing around Sicily, ultimately reaching Drepanum where Anchises dies.

    • Aeneas concludes the tale to Dido, indicating a storm led to their being driven to Carthage.

Major Themes and Connections

  • Destiny and Fate: The theme of following one's destiny is prominent as Aeneas seeks the site for his destined city.

  • Hospitality: Encounters with figures like Anius and Helenus emphasize the importance of hospitality in ancient cultures.

  • Prophecy: The reliance on prophetic guidance throughout the journey showcases the divine influence over mortal affairs.

  • Sacred Places: Significant emphasis on sacred locations like Delos and the prophetic Sybil at Cumae highlights the religious aspects of Aeneas's journey.

Ethical and Philosophical Implications

  • The narrative raises questions about the nature of leadership, sacrifice, and the burdens of a chosen fate.

  • Aeneas embodies the archetype of a hero who is not only concerned with personal survival but the future of his people, reflecting on collective responsibility in times of crisis.

Conclusion

  • Book III of the Aeneid is notable for its exploration of journeying amidst adversity, with Aeneas serving as a figure whose path is dictated by divine and prophetic instructions, ultimately shaping a significant aspect of Roman identity through his quest to establish Troy anew and fulfill his destiny.