Latin Aeneid Outline Book III Page 1 1-12 Gathered at Mt. Ida, the Trojans sail in a new fleet at direction of Anchises. 1-8 With Troy destroyed by the gods, exile in a deserted land is decreed by auguries; so a fleet is built, men are gathered for an uncertain future. 8-12 As summer starts, at Anchises order, I set sail from the area of Troy with my men, my son, the great gods, and the Penates of Troy. 13-68 The first attempt to settle in Thrace; the unhappy story of Polydorus. 13-18 On the coast of Thrace, in a land where King Lycurgus had been a friend of Troy, I build my first city, calling it Aeneadae after myself. 19-30 Sacrificing to Venus, I pull cornel and myrtle bushes from a nearby mound; blood emerges in drops, staining the ground and chilling my spirit. 31-33 A second attempt produces the same dreadful result: blood. 34-40 After I pray to the Nymphs and Mars, the god of Thrace, a third pull at the bushes elicits a sad groan from within the mound. 41-46 Don t violate my tomb, but flee this greedy land. I am Trojan Polydorus. 47-56 Stunned with fear, I recall the story of Polydorus: Priam, worried about the siege of Troy, sent the boy to be reared in Thrace by the king, who, when Troy fell to Agamemnon, broke his treaty, killed Polydorus, and seized the gold. 56-57 Apostrophe by Aeneas the narrator, lamenting the passion for gold that drives men. 57-61 I bring the omen to my people and Anchises, who unanimously agree to leave this polluted land at once. 62-68 I perform the proper funeral rites for Polydorus, putting his spirit to rest. 69-120 The Trojans head to Delos for a consultation with the oracle. 69-72 As soon as possible the Trojans leave Thrace behind them. 73-77 The holy island of Delos, sacred to the gods, especially Apollo, who has anchored the oncefloating island that offered his mother a birth-place for her children by Jupiter. 78-83 Greeted and welcomed by King/Priest Anius, who recognizes Anchises as a friend, I begin praying at once at the temple: 84-89 Grant a secure and lasting home to the Trojans who have survived the Greeks. Where should we go? Give us a sign. 90-93 At once the entire area is shaken and a voice comes to their ears: 94-98 Seek your original land, which will receive you back with riches; seek your ancient mother. There the house of Aeneas and its descendants will rule over all the shores. 99-102 As all wonder what walls Apollo means, Anchises provides his interpretation: 103-113 Crete, island of a hundred cities, was home of Teucer, who came to Rhoetean shores, before Troy and its citadel stood. Crete was also home of Cybele, the Magna Mater. 114-117 Let us follow the god s advice and with Jupiter s help we will soon be there. 118-120 Anchises sacrifices a bull each to Neptune and Apollo, and sheep to the winter and to the West Wind. 121-191 The second attempt to settle in Crete: a new Pergamum, plague, and a new direction indicated by the Penates, confirmed by Anchises. 121-131 The rumor that Idomeneus, a major Greek leader at Troy, has abandoned Crete encourages the Trojans as they sail through the Cyclades Islands to the shore of Crete, saying: We seek Crete and our ancestors. 131-137 A new city is walled, called Pergamum, and the Trojans busy themselves with the work of a new civilization. 137-142 A plague strikes men and crops, followed by a scorching drought. 143-146 Anchises advises another consultation at Delos with the oracle. 147-153 The Trojan Penates appear to me as I sleep. 154-160 We, who have followed you and will give power to your race and city, will tell you what Apollo would tell you at Delos. Don t give up. 161-171 Apollo did not mean Crete, but Hesperia, now called Italy after its ruler. Dardanus, founder of our race, came from there. Jupiter denies you Crete. 172-178 Awakened from sleep, awe-struck, I offer pure gifts at the hearth/altar. 178-182 Informed of the dream, Anchises realizes that he has misread the omen because of Troy s double ancestry.
Latin Aeneid Outline Book III Page 2 182-188 Cassandra used to speak of Hesperia, but no one listened to her. Let s follow Apollo and do as we are told. 189-191 All agree and set sail at once, leaving everything they had built. 192-277 The three-day storm and the island of the Harpies. 192 208 Once out of sight of land, a storm blocks out night and day for all, including the chief helmsman Palinurus; we wander for three days in a mist until on the fourth smoke and mountains are seen, and happily the men row for land. 209-218 This is one of the Strophades Islands, set in the Ionian Sea, where the Harpies, led by Celaeno, dwell; they are foul birds, with virgins faces, always hungry. 219-224 The Trojans land, killing the cattle and goats they find. After sacrificing to the gods, they recline for a rich feast on the shore. 225-228 The Harpies attack with their wings and follow everything they touch. 229-233 In a protected shelter the feast is again attacked and polluted by the Harpies. 234-237 I declare war on the Harpies and the men hide their weapons amid the grass before the next attack. 238-244 At the trumpeter Misenus signal, a battle begins, from which the Harpies depart unwounded and with the food fouled. 245-246 Celaeno stood on a high rock to proclaim: 247-252 Do you children of Laomedon treat the guiltless Harpies thus, killing our cattle and driving us from our land. I have a prophecy from Jupiter to Apollo to me for you. 253-257 You will reach Italy but, before you can build your city, a dreadful hunger will force you to eat your tables. 258-264 As she departs, my companions panicked and asked me to make peace with these creatures, until Anchises prayed with a loud voice: 265-266 O gods, turn away such threats and misfortune; protect this pious race. 266-277 We sail away, past various Greek islands, including Ithaca, home of savage Ulysses, until we reach the region of the promontory of Leucata and go ashore at a small city (Actium). 278-293 The Games at Actium and the establishment of the shield monument. 278-283 The Trojans, delighted to have sailed past so many Greeks, celebrate with traditional games and sacrifices. 284-288 I set up a shield as a memorial of the events, with this inscription: Aeneas gives these weapons from the victorious Greeks. 289-293 We set sail and approach Buthrotum. 294-505 The stay at Buthrotum. 294-299 Here a rumor, that Helenus, son of Priam, rules over the Greek city of Pyrrhus and has taken Andromache, Hector s wife, as his wife, fires me up to find out the truth in person. 300-309 As I approach from the harbor, Andromache comes out to the empty tomb of Hector to perform her yearly mourning. When she recognizes me in my Trojan armor, she faints, finally recovering to ask: 310-312 Is it really you Aeneas? Or if I have died, where is Hector? 312-314 As she weeps, I respond briefly, upset: 315-319 I live indeed, through all my difficulties. But what has happened to Andromache, wife of Hector? Do you preserve the marriage of Pyrrhus? 320-324 Sad and with a low voice she replies: Priam s daughter, sacrificed at Achilles tomb, was lucky to escape a master s bed in slavery. 325-336 I endured Pyrrhus bed and bore his child, until he sought Menelaus daughter by Helen. I was passed on as a slave to his slave Helenus. When Neoptolemus was killed by Orestes, angered over his stolen bride, Helenus inherited part of this land and has called the area Chaonia, building a Trojan citadel of Pergamum. 337-343 What has driven you here? Does Ascanius miss his mother? Do Hector and you serve as models of courage and manliness for him? 344-348 As she weeps, Helenus approaches and recognizes us, and leads us within his city. 349-355 We enter, recognizing a little Troy, carefully crafted after the original in every way. We sit down to a rich feast as King Helenus prays and offers libations. 356-368 Time passes quickly, and the sails are filled with the inviting winds; I approach the prophet-king and ask: O most learned prophet of Apollo, since the gods have told me to seek
Latin Aeneid Outline Book III Page 3 Italy and only Celaeno has predicted any harm, tell me what dangers to avoid or how I can best achieve such great labors. 369-380 After performing proper sacrifices to you, Apollo, Helenus leads me to your doorway where, inspired by your divine power, he predicts: I can only tell you a few things to make your trip to Italy safer, even though your mission is sanctioned by Jupiter; the Fates and Juno forbid me to know or speak more. 381-387 Italy is not close, and first you must sail around Sicily, the lake of the Underworld, and Aeaea, Circe s island, before you reach your city s site. 388-393 When you find under an oak a white pig with thirty white piglets around her, then you will have found your site. 394-395 Don t worry about eating the tables; the fates will find a way, and Apollo will also be there when called. 396-402 Avoid the Italy that lies across the Adriatic; Greeks have settled everywhere. 403-409 When you land, veil your hair with a purple mantle, so that no enemy s face can stop the ceremony. Pass this practice on to all future generations. 410-432 Avoid Scylla and Charybdis (the straits of Messina); sail around Sicily, even if it is a long route. 433-440 If I know anything of prophecy and if Apollo inspires me, the most important thing is to always win Juno over with prayers and gifts. 441-452 When you reach Cumae and Avernus, you will find an inspired priestess, who writes her words on leaves that blow apart as soon as the door is opened; she does not put them back in order, and so men hate the Sibyl. 453-460 Here, no matter what, make sure that she sings her prophecies in your presence, telling you of the peoples and wars that will come in Italy, and what you should do. 461-462 This is all I am allowed to tell you; your role is to carry Troy to the heavens by your deeds. 463-474 After he finishes, Helenus presents me with lavish gifts; then he presents Anchises with gifts, and also supplies horses and guides, and even refurbishes my ships and crew. As Anchises orders us to fit the fleet with sails, Helenus says: 475-481 O honored Anchises, twice saved from Troy; here is Ausonian Italy, but glide past this shore and go the long path of Apollo. But why do I waste time? 482-491 A sad Andromache presents Ascanius with a Phrygian scarf and other gifts, saying: Take these gifts as reminders of Hector s Andromache. Oh, how much you look like my son Astyanax in every way. 492-505 I replied in tears: Live happy in your restored Troy, free from the Greeks and with good omens. If I ever found my city, the Trojans of Italy and of Epirus will make new the spirit of Troy. 506-547 The Trojans proceed, reaching Arx Minervae (Castrum Minervae) and seeing an omen of four white horses. 506-520 We sail past the Ceraunian mountains, then put ashore for some much-needed sleep. But before midnight Palinurus wakes us because the winds and stars are most favorable. 521-529 At dawn, Italy is spotted as Achates raises the cry and Anchises makes a libation to the gods, praying: O gods of land and sea, help us on our journey. 530-538 As we enter the harbor of Arx Minervae, I see four white horses grazing over the plain. 539-543 Anchises interprets: These horses are signs for both war and peace. 544-547 Veiled as Helenus instructed, we sacrifice to Minerva and to Juno. 548-587 The Trojans sail past Tarentum and with Etna in sight row hard past Scylla and Charybdis; they spend a sleepless night on the shore near the erupting volcano. 548-554 We leave Greek lands and sail across the Gulf of Tarentum towards Mt. Etna. 555-560 As we hear the noisy sea and the pounded rocks, Anchises cries out: This is the Charybdis Helenus warned about; row for our lives. 561-569 With the rowers efforts and Palinurus expert guidance, we make it safely to the shores of the Cyclops (Sicily). 570-587 Nearby Etna erupts through the night, terrifying us as we hide in the forests, unable to see or understand what was happening. The giant Enceladus, blasted by the thunderbolt, lies beneath Etna, which trembles whenever he turns his body.
Latin Aeneid Outline Book III Page 4 588-681 The Trojans find Achaemenides, an abandoned member of Ulysses crew, hear his story, and encounter the Cyclops. 588-599 The next morning a dirty figure appears on the shore, a Greek from the Trojan War, who rushes up to us, despite our Trojan weapons, and begs: 599-606 Take me with you, even though I am a Greek. Or kill me horribly if necessary; it is better to die at the hands of men. 607-612 We urge the suppliant to tell us who he is and what his story is; Anchises gives his hand and cheers the man by this gesture. With fear put aside, he begins: 613-615 I am Achaemenides, whose poor father sent him as a companion of unlucky Ulysses to the Trojan War. 616-628 My panicked companions deserted me in the Cyclops cave. The cave is monstrous and bloody and he is an unfriendly giant and a devourer of men. I saw him kill and eat two of our men in his cave. 628-638 But Ulysses took vengeance, boring through his one giant eye with a heated stake. 639-654 Flee at once, for a hundred other Cyclopes roam these hills. For three months I have lived on berries, nuts and roots, hiding in the woods in fear for my life. You are the first fleet I have seen and I place myself freely in your power. It is better to escape this tribe and die at your hands. 655-665 As he finishes the blind Polyphemus makes his way to shore to rinse his bleeding wound amid much gnashing of teeth. 666-681 When he sensed our presence as we fled with Achaemenides, he pursued us. Unable to reach us, he raised a cry, summoning the other Cyclopes, who appear like lofty trees on the ridges surrounding the harbor. 681-718 We escaped past Scylla, sailing along the coast of Sicily to Drepanum, where Anchises died unexpectedly; a storm then drove me here to Carthage. 681-706 As we sail past Scylla, Achaemenides points out the places he knew from his trip with Ulysses. We sail on past many places in Sicily, worshipping the great divine powers of the land, especially at Arethusa. 707-714 At Drepanum, Anchises died without warning, which no one had predicted or cursed him with. This was the hardest part of my journey. 715 A god then drove me as I left Drepanum to your shore. 716-718 Aeneas ends the story of the gods fates and his wanderings, with all attentively listening.
Latin Aeneid Outline Book IV Page 1 1-89 Dido, in Love, Talks with Anna. 1-5 Dido is in love, wounded and on fire. 6-8 At dawn she addresses her sympathetic sister. 9-14 DIDO: What a man! What a life he s had! 15-23 Although resolved on celibacy after Sychaeus death, this man could change my mind. 24-30 But may I die if I break my vow to Sychaeus. She weeps. 31-34 ANNA: Why not love Aeneas? The dead don t care. 45-44 You ve rejected all your suitors. Look around the country - you re in danger. 45-49 The gods have brought him here to make Carthage great. 50-53 Just keep him here until the winter and bad sailing weather sets in. 54-55 Dido gives in to love and releases her sense of shame. 56-64 Dido and Anna sacrifice at the altars to Ceres, Apollo, Bacchus, and Juno. 65-69 Dido is consumed by passions. 69-73 SIMILE of Dido to a deer wounded by an unsuspecting shepherd. 74-79 Dido hangs on Aeneas every word. 80-89 Dido, thinking only of Aeneas, neglects her city and royal responsibilities. 90-128 Juno and Venus Plan the Marriage of Aeneas and Dido. 90-92 Juno sees what s going on and addresses Venus. 93-95 JUNO: It s really fair when two gods gang up on one woman. 96-101 What s the point of more fighting when you ve got Dido so in love already? 102-104 Let s share the power: Dido will be a slave (wife) to Aeneas. 105-107 Venus sees Juno s hidden plans and prepares a reply: 107-109 VENUS: I m willing - who would want to fight with you? 110-112 But I'm not sure if Jupiter will approve this marriage and treaty. 113-114 You re his wife; so you find out and get his approval. 114-116 JUNO: I ll take care of that. Now listen to my plan. 117-119 Dido and Aeneas go out to hunt at dawn. 120-125 I will send a great storm, everyone scatters and the lovers wind up in a cave. 125-127 I ll be there and with your approval I will join them in marriage. 127-128 Venus knowingly smiles her agreement. 129-172 The Marriage in the Storm. 129-141 At dawn everyone is getting ready, especially Dido. 141-150 Aeneas enters. SIMILE of Aeneas compared to Apollo in terms of beauty. 151-159 The hunt proceeds, with Ascanius eagerly in the thick of it. 160-168 The storm arrives, Dido and Aeneas flee to a cave, and the marriage occurs. 169-172 This day begins Dido s downfall, when she considers this a real marriage. 173-218 Rumor Spreads the Story, Even to Iarbas, a Rejected Suitor. 173-177 Rumor has speed, strength and size. 178-180 Earth, angered at the gods, spawned this creature. 181-183 Rumor has an unusual appearance: eyes, mouths, and ears in abundance. 184-188 Rumor works night and day to spread truth or lies. 189-195 Rumor sings the story of Dido and Aeneas affair. 196-197 Rumor tells Iarbas the story and enrages him. 198-205 A pious, respected son of Jupiter, Iarbas goes to the altar of his divine father. 206-210 IARBAS: Have we prayed to you, a false god with no power? 211-218 We let Dido in here in this country, but now she has chosen this half-man instead of me, who is worshipping a god with no real power. 219-278 Jupiter Notices What Has Happened and Intervenes Through Mercury. 219-222 Jupiter notices the forgetful lovers after Iarbas prayer and calls Mercury. 223-226 JUPITER: Carry my commands down to Aeneas. 227-231 His mother promised he would rule Italy and start a noble race. 232-237 Let him at least think of Ascanius and leave at once. 238-258 Mercury dons his wings and flies down to Aeneas by way of the Atlas Mountains. 259-264 Mercury lands to find Aeneas building Carthage and dressed in Dido s gifts. 265-276 MERCURY: "Why are you building here? Jupiter sent me to tell you to leave. Why waste time here? If not for yourself, at least do what you should for your son Ascanius. 276-278 Mercury finishes and vanishes into the thin air. 279-407 Aeneas and Dido Quarrel About His Departure.
Latin Aeneid Outline Book IV Page 2 279-295 Aeneas ponders his situation, then orders his men to get ready to sail. 296-303 Dido finds out. SIMILE of Dido to a frenzied Bacchant. 304-313 DIDO: "Did you hope to sneak away? Do I mean so little to you? Would you sail in this weather if Troy still stood? 314-319 Please, I beg you, change your mind. 320-326 Because of you I m hated by my neighbors and by my own people. 327-330 If only I had your baby, I wouldn t be so unhappy. 331-336 AENEAS: I don t regret loving you and will always remember you. 337-339 In my defense, I made no promises of marriage. 340-344 If I could, I would be back rebuilding Troy. 345-347 I leave for Italy only because the gods say I must. 348-350 Why begrudge the Trojans a foreign home when you have one in Carthage? 351-355 My father Anchises in a dream has warned me to leave. 356-359 Now the gods themselves have personally warned me to leave. 360-361 Stop complaining. I seek Italy not willingly. 362-364 Dido rolls her eyes in anger 365-370 DIDO: He s not born of humans? Is he bothered by anything I could do? 371-375 Don t the gods see? I m the one who saved him when he was in trouble? 376-380 Now he claims that the gods are making him leave. Sure! 381-387 Go to Italy, but take my curses with you. 388-392 Dido collapses and is carried back to her bedroom. 393-401 Aeneas returns to his eager and busy men. 402-407 SIMILE of busy crew compared to busy ants. 408-473 Dido Tries Every Means to Keep Aeneas in Carthage. 408-411 Oh Dido, what thoughts you must have had as you saw Aeneas departing! 412-415 Oh Love, what won t you force lovesick people like Dido to do! 416-424 DIDO: "Anna, Aeneas is leaving, and you must ask him one favor for me, because you alone are accepted by him. 425-429 Why is he leaving me when I m not a Greek who sacked his city? 429-436 One final request: stay until I can deal with my grief. I ll return the favor at my death. 437-440 Anna pleads with Aeneas but he will not listen to her words. 441-449 SIMILE of Aeneas to a tree with deep roots buffeted by winds. 450-451 Dido resolves to die because to live is painful. 452-473 That night Dido experiences numerous bad omens: 452-456 While she sacrifices, the water turns black, wine becomes blood. 457-465 Voices are heard from Sychaeus shrine, an owl hoots mournfully, and old prophecies seem to be coming true, to her horror. 465-468 In her dreams Aeneas hunts her down or she wanders alone in a desert. 468-473 SIMILE of the mad Dido to the crazed Pentheus and the maddened Orestes, both figures from Greek tragedy. 474-553 Dido Builds a Pyre, Makes Sacrifices, and Laments Her Fate. 474-477 Dido, her plan resolved and her face composed, approaches Anna for help. 478-491 DIDO: I ve found a powerful priestess to help me resolve this problem. 492-498 I do this magic reluctantly. You must help by building a pyre to burn everything associated with Aeneas. 499-503 Anna, suspecting nothing, agrees to help. 504-521 As the pyre is built, the priestess and Dido perform the magic rites, invoking Erebus, Chaos, and Hecate. 522-528 In the peaceful night all creatures settle down to rest. 529-533 Dido tosses and turns on a sea of troubles. 534-536 DIDO (to herself): Should I go back to my rejected suitors? 537-541 Should I follow the Trojan ships because the men will take pity on me? 541-546 Should I make my people go over the sea again? 547-553 Die as you deserve. Oh Anna, you put me in the middle of this mess. I didn t keep my promise to Sychaeus ashes. She breaks into lamentation. 554-583 When Mercury Reappears in a Dream, Aeneas and His Men Depart. 554-559 As Aeneas sleeps on boat, Mercury appears in his dream.
Latin Aeneid Outline Book IV Page 3 560-570 MERCURY: Flee while you can! It s dangerous to stay because you can t trust a woman to be rational. 571-572 Aeneas wakes and springs into action. 573-579 AENEAS: Board the ships at once. The god orders us to leave. Help us, oh god. 579-583 The men immediately launch the ships in a frenzy of action. 584-629 Dido s Grand Soliloquy: Regrets and Curses. 584-590 Dido awakens, finds the Trojans have left, and breaks into a lament. 590-591 DIDO: Will he leave unpunished after mocking us? 592-594 My people, get your ships and pursue him now! 595-596 What am I saying? 597-606 I should have killed him and his son while I had the chance. 607-612 Oh Sun, Juno, Hecate, avenging Furies, and gods of dying me, hear me now. 612-620 If Aeneas must reach Italy, fine. But let him be troubled by a war, be an exile, be separated from Iulus, see his people die, and not live to enjoy his unfair peace. 621-624 Let there be no peace between my people and the Romans. 625-629 May some avenger arise to keep this hatred alive in continuous warfare. 630-671 Dismissing Barce, Dido Climbs Pyre, Laments, and Stabs Herself. 630-631 Dido resolves to die as quickly as possible. 632-641 DIDO (to Barce): Go fetch my sister to help in these magic rites. 642-650 In a crazed state Dido climbs the pyre, draws Aeneas sword, and surveys the things that remind her of Aeneas. 651-652 DIDO: May I be free from all these sorrows. 653-656 I have accomplished much in my life: a city built, a husband avenged. 657-658 If only the Trojans had never come here in their ships! 659-660 We must die now, unavenged. 661-662 Let Aeneas carry away the omens of my death. 663-668 As Dido collapses on the sword, a great cry echoes through the city. 669-671 SIMILE of the noise to that of an enemy destroying a great city. 672-705 Anna Arrives Too Late as Dido Dies, Finally Released to Death by Iris. 672-674 A breathless Anna arrives to find her sister dying. 675-681 ANNA: You tricked me, you ve abandoned me. I should have been able to die with you after I built this funeral pyre. 682-683 You ve destroyed yourself, me, your people and your city. 683-685 Let me wash your wounds and catch your dying last breath. 685-692 Anna embraces Dido who struggles to die and groans because she can t. 693-699 Juno sends Iris down to release Dido from her struggle to die before her time. 700-702 Iris lands on earth and stands at Dido s head. 702-703 IRIS: I cut a lock of your hair and enable you to die. 704-705 Dido dies as Iris cuts the hair and disappears.