Aeneas

Overview

Aeneas is son of Anchises and Aphrodite and a major Trojan fighter. In Iliad Book 5 he confronts Diomedes while protecting Pandarus’ body. Aphrodite tries to carry her wounded son away but is herself wounded by Diomedes, after which Apollo takes over his protection. The scene does not simply make divine parentage equal invulnerability: gods can be hurt, aid changes hands and a destined life still has to be preserved. In Pseudo-Apollodorus’ sack narrative Aeneas carries his father from the city and the Achaeans allow him to leave because of his piety. That departure later becomes the starting point of a much larger Roman reception.

Key facts

Further spoiler details are available in the interactive atlas.

Relationships

• Aphroditerescues her son

  Aphrodite attempts to carry the wounded Aeneas from battle.

• Apollotakes over protection

  After Aphrodite is wounded, Apollo protects and restores Aeneas.

• Trojan Wardefends Troy

  Aeneas is a major fighter on the Trojan side.

• Sack of Troyescapes carrying his father

  Aeneas carries Anchises away and the Achaeans spare his piety.

Story appearances

• The Trojan WarProtected Trojan fighter who escapes the sack

  Aphrodite and Apollo protect him in battle; at the sack he carries his father away.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Homer, Iliad, Book 5: Diomedes' aristeia and the wounding of Aphrodite and Ares
• Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, Epitome, E.5.21–23: Priam’s death, Aeneas’ flight, sanctuary violation and allocation of captives