The Aeneid · Character

Latinus

The aged king of Latium whose oracle and daughter promise Aeneas a home, yet whose peace is shattered by the war his own people force upon the Trojans.

supporting

Also known as King Latinus, Good old Latinus

First appearance: Book VII

As a supporting figure in The Aeneid, Latinus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The aged king of Latium, who offers his daughter Lavinia to Aeneas despite omens and opposition.

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Latinus rules a quiet Ausonian kingdom and reads in prophecy that his daughter Lavinia must wed a foreigner, a sign he welcomes when Trojan envoys arrive. His goodwill collides with Turnus's claim and Juno's fury, and the old king finds his authority dissolving as his subjects take up arms he never sanctioned. He embodies the peace the Trojans seek and the fragility of any peace that depends on one man's word.

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The fuller portrait of Latinus sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Latinus in Book VII

Character Web

28 connections

A slice of how Latinus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Other

Character groups

Allied kings and heirs
Major divine and mortal antagonists
Minor characters and mythological figures
Figures from Trojan War past

+23 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because Turnus reaches an emotional and psychological peak of fury and…

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Relationships

Turnus
social · ambivalent
Latinus is the king of Latium who initially favors Aeneas but is pressured into allowing… How this plays out →
Turnus
social · ambivalent
Latinus is the king of Latium who initially favors Aeneas but is pressured into allowing… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Latinus in Book VII

In the story

Latinus appears across 3 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Latinus unlock in the free preview.

See Latinus in Book VII