The Aeneid Book Eight Book Eight While Turnus
The Aeneid Book Eight
Book Eight �While Turnus gathers his forces, Aeneas prepares the Trojan troops and seeks help from neighbouring cities. �Aeneas is, however, restless and deeply concerned for himself and his men when he considers the mass of men preparing to fight him. �That night, the river god Tiber, comes to Aeneas to reassure him about his destiny and to advise him to form an alliance with the Arcadians, who are also at war with the Latins.
Book Eight �Setting off the next day, Aeneas takes two ships and approaches King Evander’s city. There, the Trojans address the Arcadian king who gladly offers aid against their common enemy and invites Aeneas to a feast. �Evander actually recognises Aeneas as the son of Anchises, the old king and Aeneas’ father men many years earlier. �After the feast, holy rites are performed in honour of Hercules, the patron of the Arcadians, who killed the monster Cacus near where Arcadia now stands. �As the two men leave the altar, Evander gives Aeneas a history of the land. Early on gods, fauns and nymphs inhabited the land. Eventually a race of men began to settle there and separate kingdoms were formed.
Book Eight �Meanwhile, Venus is worried over Aeneas’ upcoming war. In Mount Olympus, she approaches Vulcan and asks him to fashion weapons for her son, things he will need in the war against Turnus. �Vulcan, the god of fire and forging, in awe of his beautiful wife declares he could never refuse a request made by her. �Vulcan commands his workers – Cyclopes inside the volcano Etna – to stop what they are doing and immediately begin work on Aeneas’
Book Eight �Evander offers Aeneas the limited amount of men that he can spare, which amounts to roughly 400 men. �However, he directs Aeneas to a tribe of Tuscans, betrayed by their leader. This tribe were fated not to seek revenge until a foreign king arrived among them. �Evander explains that he feels too old to lead them but he is confident that they will follow Aeneas. �Though Aeneas is not convinced that they have the man power necessary to win, but a sign shooting through the sky, sent by Venus, assures the men that
Book Eight �Ultimately, several thousand soldiers are rallied to accompany the Trojans back to the front, but due to their increased numbers, they must march rather than row, which causes a delay. �Evander sends his son Pallas with Aeneas and requests that he teaches his son the arts of war and returns him home in safety. �The new army marches all day and at camp that night Venus appears to her son and presents him with the arms that Vulcan has completed – helmet, corselet, sword, spear and shield, all of them beautifully crafted and stronger than metal forged
Book Eight �The armour is engraved with pivotal scenes of future Roman history. �It depicts Romulus and Remus nursed by the she wolf, references to the foundation of the Roman Republic. There are scenes of battle including one depicting Cleopatra and Mark Anthony being defeated by Augustus. There also references to Julius Caesar on the shield. �Aeneas is delighted with the shield and even though he does not understand what the scenes mean, Virgil’s audience would have.
Book Eight Reading Read the following passages: � l. 25 – 82: describing the river god Tiber appearing to Aeneas � l. 102 – 268: describing Aeneas meeting Evander and the Arcadians � l. 371 – 453: describing Venus persuading Vulcan to make Aeneas arms � l. 607 – 731: describing the scenes depicted on Aeneas’ shield
Book Eight Important Points �Aeneas has little trouble gaining allies (Evander and Etruscans), perhaps this is some reflection on his leadership and likability. It is doubtless that Aeneas wants the best for his people. �Pallanteum (the future site of Rome) allows Virgil another opportunity to link the past with the present. Aeneas is shown great landmarks that Virgil’s audience would have immediately recognised, e. g. the Capitol, the seven hill of Rome, recognisable holy shrines, etc.
Book Eight Important Points �Just as Juno thwarted Aeneas in book 7, (by starting the war), Venus is on hand in this chapter to aid her son and have a magnificent shield forged for his protection (the gods seem to be counter-balancing each other here). �The shield of Aeneas emulates the shield forged for Achilles by Hephaestus in Homer’s Iliad.
Book Eight Important Points �The high moments of Rome’s history, captured on this shield, foretells Rome’s greatness and her destiny to rule the world. Once again, Virgil forecasts the greatness of Rome, and demonstrates his love for his country. �Moreover, Aeneas has a direct link with Rome’s fortuitous destiny. Aeneas is truly a founding father of a great nation. �When Aeneas lights a fire on the shrine of Heracles – he, once again, demonstrates his piety and respect for the gods.
Book Eight Questions 1. Explain the different ways we can see the gods now working for Aeneas in greater force than before. 2. Why is it important that Evander recognises Aeneas as Anchises’ son? 3. Describe the different projects Vulcan’s Cyclopes are working on before they ordered to make Aeneas’ arms. 4. What is the significance of Aeneas’ shield? Refer to the text to support your answer.
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