# Latinus — The Aeneid character guide

> Latinus in The Aeneid by Virgil.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** King Latinus, Good old Latinus

**First appearance:** 0006-book-vii

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Turnus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se/characters/turnus)

_social_

Latinus is the king of Latium who initially favors Aeneas but is pressured into allowing Turnus to fight for Lavinia's hand.

### [Turnus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se/characters/turnus)

_social_

Latinus is the king of Latium who initially favors Aeneas but is pressured into allowing Turnus to fight for Lavinia's hand.

## In the story

### [Book VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se/chapters/book-vii)

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

### [Book XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se/chapters/book-xi)

Summons the council and proposes peace with Aeneas.

### [Book XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se/chapters/book-xii)

Attempts to dissuade Turnus from combat, offers peace and alternative brides.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se/characters/latinus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_aeneid_se/characters