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The Aeneid is the story of a Trojan prince, Aeneas. Aeneas was the son
of the Goddess Venus and a mortal man, Anchises. Aeneas' destiny was to
leave Troy and, eventually, to found a city from where, one day, his
descendants would rule the world. The goddess Juno hated Aeneas and
tried to destroy him.

Book I

Aeneas and his companions encounter a great storm which drives them on
to the shores of Africa. The land is the realm of Dido, Queen of Carthage.
Dido welcomes the Trojans and holds a banquet in Aeneas' honour. She
asks him to tell of his adventures.

Book II

Narrated by Aeneas, Book 2 of the Aeneid gives an eye-witness account
of the fall of Troy, from which Aeneas escapes with his father Anchises
and his son Ascanius. Aeneas' wife, Creusa, is separated from them in the
fighting and lost.

Book III

This tells the story of the Trojans' voyage to Sicily where Anchises dies.
This is the point from which Aeneas begins the journey that ends on the
coast of Carthage.

Book IV

Aeneas is reminded of his destiny and leaves Carthage. Dido goes mad
with grief and builds a huge pyre as if to cleanse herself of memories of
Aeneas by burning all reminders of him. The she kills herself.

Book V

Aeneas sails back to Sicily and celebrates Anchises' funeral anniversary
with a series of contests in his honour. The Trojan women, weary of
travelling, set fire to the boats in an effort to force Aeneas to settle in
Sicily. Aeneas builds a city and leaves behind all those who wish to remain.

Book VI

Aeneas and his remaining companions sail to Cumae and visit the Sibyl, a
prophetic priestess of Apollo. Book VI tells of the Sibyl's prophecies and
Aeneas' subsequent descent into the underworld where he meets Dido,
Deiphobus and Anchises.

Book VII

Aeneas arrives in Latium and King Latius decides to marry him to his
daughter Lavinia. Juno seeks to stop the marriage by turning Queen
Amata against the Trojans. War breaks out.

Book VIII

The Trojans make allies with the Arcadians and their king Evander. The
Goddess Venus brings Aeneas special armour which has been made for
him by Vulcan.

Book IX

The Trojans' city is besieged by Turnus and his men.

Book X

The gods attend a council on Olympus and Juno and Venus exchange
bitter words. Aeneas returns with the Arcadians and engages in battle with
the Latins.

Book XI

The Trojans have won the battle but Pallas, son of King Evander, has
been killed. King Latinus calls a council to decide what must be done. War
breaks out again and many men are killed.

Book XII

Turnus challenges Aeneas to single combat and a treaty is drwan up
between the Trojans and the Latins. The Latins, incited by Juno, break
the treaty and the fighting starts again. Queen Amata commits suicide.
Aeneas kills Turnus.