Special Sub-Topic: Vergil's 'The Aeneid': The Founding of Rome Click Here To Play: Vergil's 'The Aeneid': The Founding of Rome

Aeneas had two wives; one was Trojan, the other Italian. What was his Trojan wife's name?

Creusa. Creusa was his wife who played a minor yet pivotal role as she died early in the story during the sack of Troy with little explanation as to who she was.

With this Trojan wife, Aeneas had a son. This son plays a major role in the campaigns which Aeneas faces later in the book. What is this son's name?

Ascanius. Ascanius, also called Iulus, is displayed as a young man coming of age as he is destined to be the ruler of the land later to be known as Troy.

Aeneas's Trojan son, besides playing an important role in this story, also plays a role in the genealogy of Roman history. Which famous figure is his descendant?

Julius Caesar. As Ascanius's alternate name is Iulus, Virgil describes that Julius Caesar derived his name from such.

Aeneas had another wife in this story. She is Italian royalty who ultimately is the cause of tension between the Rutulians and the Trojans. What is this woman's name?

Lavinia. Upon his arrival in Hesperian Italy, Aeneas seeks his bride-to-be foretold by fate only to find his right to her hand challenged by a Rutulian betrothed to her by her parents. Her name was Lavinia.

With his Italian wife, Aeneas has a son. What is this son's name?

Silvius. When Aeneas goes to the underworld to visit his father, Anchises, he receives information about the future of his clan, among whom lay his future wife, Lavinia, and his son by her, Silvius.

Aeneas's Italian son plays what role in Roman history?

Ancestor to Remus and Romulus. This, too, is outlined in Anchises' outline of the future history of Troy in which he lists the genealogy through Aeneas to Remus and Romulus.

What marks the site where Alba Longa is to be founded?

A white sow with thirty younglings. On at least three occasions in the book, Aeneas is foretold of the location of the heart of the Roman empire (by Creusa, by Iris, and by Tiber).

Who are the parents of Remus and Romulus?

Ilia and Mars. Rome, a warring country, would obviously be created by Mars. The exact genealogy is listed, however, when Aeneas visits Anchises in the Underworld (book VI for those who are looking).

Pax Romana is predicted in this poem.

T. "The gruesome gates of war, with tightly welded iron plates shall be shut fast. Within, unholy Rage shall sit on his ferocious weapons, bound behind his back by a hundred knots of brass; he shall groan horribly with bloody lips." Book I

What is the name of the Rutulian general who challenges Aeneas for the hand of his foretold wife?

Turnus. Turnus is the enemy through most of the second half of the book.