# Aeneas — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide > Aeneas in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mezentius, Mezentius Aeneas **First appearance:** 0004-i-introduction ## Snapshot Trojan warrior who carried his father from burning Troy and sailed west to plant the seed of Rome. ## Who they are Aeneas belongs to the generation of heroes caught between a ruined homeland and a promised one, and Bulfinch introduces him as the son of Venus and Anchises whose wanderings the Roman poets claimed as their nation's origin. His defining tension is between the life he lost at Troy and the destiny he cannot see clearly, a conflict that makes him both dutiful and reluctant. His early voyages and encounters with storms, oracles, and underworld guides set the pattern for the whole epic arc. ## In the story ### [Glaucus and Scylla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/glaucus-and-scylla) Mentioned as one whose ships Scylla tried to wreck. ### [Adventures of Aeneas—The Harpies—Dido—Palinurus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxi-adventures-of-aeneas-the-harpies-dido-palinurus) The Trojan hero leading the remnant of his people in search of a new home; escapes Troy with his father and son, consults oracles, battles Harpies, survives storms, and seeks the Sibyl's guidance to enter the underworld. ### [Adventures of Aeneas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/adventures-of-aeneas) The Trojan chief leading the remnant of his people in search of a new home; escapes Troy with his father and son, loses his wife, and faces numerous trials. ### [Dido](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/dido) Trojan hero; arrives at Carthage, accepts Dido's hospitality, and delays his journey to Italy until Jupiter commands him to leave. ### [Palinurus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/palinurus) The Trojan hero who, after losing his pilot Palinurus, takes charge of the ship and later seeks the Sibyl's guidance to enter the underworld. ### [XXXII: The Infernal Regions—The Sibyl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxii-the-infernal-regions-the-sibyl) Guided by the Sibyl, Aeneas descends into the underworld to visit his father Anchises, witnessing the punishments of Tartarus and the joys of Elysium. ### [The Infernal Regions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-infernal-regions) The hero descends into the underworld guided by the Sibyl, encounters Dido, speaks with fallen warriors, and meets his father Anchises in Elysium. ### [The Sibyl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-sibyl) Aeneas journeys with the Sibyl back to earth and promises to build a temple in her honor. ### [Camilla—Evander—Nisus and Euryalus—Mezentius—Turnus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxiii-camilla-evander-nisus-and-euryalus-mezentius-turnus) The Trojan hero arrives at the Tiber, allies with Evander, and leads the war against Turnus and Mezentius. ### [Camilla—Evander—Nisus and Euryalus—Mezentius—Turnus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxiii-camilla-evander-nisus-and-euryalus-mezentius-turnus) Cruel Etruscan tyrant exiled by his people, ally of Turnus; wounded by Aeneas and later slain after his son Lausus dies. ### [Opening the Gates of Janus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/opening-the-gates-of-janus) A brave but cruel soldier and ally of Turnus, exiled from his own city. ### [Evander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/evander) Receives a prophetic vision from Father Tiber and sails up the river to seek alliance with Evander. ### [Infant Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/infant-rome) The Trojan hero, guest of King Evander, who learns of the region's history and is offered leadership of the Etruscan forces. ### [Infant Rome](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/infant-rome) The deposed Etruscan king, a monster of cruelty who fled to Turnus for protection. ### [Nisus and Euryalus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/nisus-and-euryalus) Absent from the camp; the Trojans await his return, and Nisus and Euryalus volunteer to carry a message to him. ### [Mezentius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/mezentius) Leads Etrurian allies, wounds Mezentius, slays Lausus in pity, and ultimately kills Mezentius. ### [Mezentius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/mezentius) Tyrant who rages against revolting subjects, wounds Anthor, is wounded by Aeneas, and dies after seeking revenge for his son Lausus. ### [Pallas, Camilla, Turnus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/pallas-camilla-turnus) Challenges Turnus to single combat, fights with divine aid, and ultimately slays Turnus after seeing Pallas's belt. ### [Pythagoras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/pythagoras) Aeneas is mentioned in the opening line as the recipient of Anchises's teachings, which align with Pythagorean doctrines. ### [Virgil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/virgil) The protagonist of Virgil's Aeneid, from which the chapter draws the story of Aeneas. ### [Romances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/romances) Mentioned as a Trojan hero from whom Arthur and Charlemagne were spuriously genealogically descended. ### [The Mythical History of England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ii-the-mythical-history-of-england) Ancestor of Brutus; his flight from Troy and settlement in Italy is referenced as the starting point of Brutus's lineage. ### [A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/a) Mentioned as the son of Anchises and Aphrodite, and as the reputed first settler of Rome. ### [D](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/d) Shipwrecked hero entertained by Dido. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/i) Mentioned as father of Iulus. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/l) Killed Lausus, son of Mezentius; married Lavinia. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/aeneas - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters