Special Sub-Topic: Aeneid Click Here To Play: Aeneid

Venus, the goddess of love, was the mother of Aeneas, but who was his father?

Anchises. Now the story goes that Venus had the power to make the gods desire humans(which was not good). So Jupiter (Zeus) made Venus fall in love with Anchises, in order to teach her a lesson. Adonis was in fact another mortal lover of Venus; Ascanius was the son of Aeneas, and Iulus was another version of his name.

Now Aeneas had a son Ascanius, but what was the name of Ascanius' mother, daughter of Priam?

Creusa. Creusa died during the sack of Troy, which was very convenient, since Aeneas had to be free of marriage bonds for Dido. Hecuba was the wife of Priam; Cassandra was another daughter of Priam. Briseis was a 'trophy' woman of Achilles.

When Aeneas arrives at Carthage he meets Dido, who, though in love with Aeneas, cannot give way to her feelings because she vowed to her dead husband to remain faithful to him. What was the name of her dead husband?

Sychaeus. Pygmalion was actually the brother of Dido, who killed Sychaeus in order to lay his hands on Sychaeus' money. Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, ended up killing Priam. Silvius was the son of Aeneas and Lavinia.

What was the name of one of Dido's suitors? (This one is too obvious to make it a multiple choice)

Iarbas & Hiarbas. Iarbas was the king of Gaetuli. He was infuriated by the fact that Dido chose Aeneas instead of him.

What does Aeneas need to acquire in order to enter the Underworld?

Golden Bough. The Sibyl at the temple of Apollo told Aeneas that in order to see his father in the Underworld he has to get the golden bough and to bury his friend Misenus, whose death remained unknown to Aeneas until that moment.

Which deity killed Misenus, a Trojan trumpeter and a friend of Aeneas?

Triton. Misenus boasted that he could play the trumpet better than Triton himself, and challenged Triton to compete (foolish man:)). In order to punish Misenus, the sea god drowned him.

Who was the king of Pallantium and the ally to Aeneas in the war against the Latins?

Evander. Pallas was the son of Evander, killed by Turnus. Turnus was an Italian 'princeps'(leader, prince) who fought agains Aeneas. Mezentius was another Latin leader in the war against the Trojans.

Whose appearance did Cupid take to ensure that Dido fell in love with Aeneas?

Ascanius. Venus sent Cupid to inflame Dido's heart with love for Aeneas in order to ensure a warm welcome on the part of the Carthaginians. O tempora, O mores!

What was the name of the Latin queen, the mother of Lavinia?

Amata. Allecto was a Fury who planted hate for Aeneas in Amata's heart. Camilla was the princess of the Volscians, who fought against Aeneas. Amanda I just threw in. In fact, Amanda in Latin means 'must be loved', whereas Amata means 'having been loved'. Just a little bit of Latin for you:)

This one is a very easy one:) What was the name of Dido's sister?

Anna. Elissa is actualy another name for Dido. Anyte and Erinna I just threw in; they are thought to have been Greek poetesses.