# Camilla explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology > Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. ## What happens Camilla, a huntress and warrior favored by Diana, joins Turnus's side with her band of mounted followers. Her history is recounted: her father Metabus, fleeing civil discord, ties her to a lance and hurls her across the swollen river Amazenus, consecrating her to Diana. He then swims across, raises her among shepherds, and trains her in woodland arts. She remains devoted to Diana, rejecting marriage. ## Themes in this chapter ### Heroism and the Quest Camilla's upbringing and martial training, her dedication to Diana, and her role in the war alongside Turnus exemplify heroic ideals and a quest for glory. ## Character check-ins ### Camilla A huntress and warrior, favorite of Diana, who joins Turnus's side with her band. ### Turnus The side Camilla and her followers join. ### Diana Goddess of the woods, to whom Camilla is consecrated by her father Metabus. ## Key lines > Camilla, the favorite of Diana, a huntress and warrior, after the fashion of the Amazons, came with her band of mounted followers, including a select number of her own sex, and ranged herself on the side of Turnus. Camilla, a huntress and warrior favored by Diana, joined Turnus's forces with her mounted band, which included several women. _Introduces Camilla's allegiance and martial character._ > This maiden had never accustomed her fingers to the distaff or the loom, but had learned to endure the toils of war, and in speed to outstrip the wind. She was not skilled in domestic crafts but was trained for war and could outrun the wind. _Highlights Camilla's rejection of traditional female roles in favor of martial prowess._ > It seemed as if she might run over the standing corn without crushing it, or over the surface of the water without dipping her feet. She could run so lightly that she would not crush grain stalks or wet her feet on water. _Emphasizes her extraordinary speed and grace._ > Her father, Metabus, driven from his city by civil discord, carried with him in his flight his infant daughter. Metabus, fleeing civil strife, took his baby daughter with him. _Sets up the origin story of Camilla._ > He tied the infant to his lance with wrappers of bark, and poising the weapon in his upraised hand thus addressed Diana: 'Goddess of the woods! I consecrate this maid to you;' then hurled the weapon with its burden to the opposite bank. He bound the baby to his spear with bark strips, raised it, and dedicated her to Diana before throwing the spear across the river. _Describes the dramatic consecration and rescue of Camilla._ > Thenceforth he lived among the shepherds and brought up his daughter in woodland arts. After that, he lived with shepherds and raised his daughter in the skills of the forest. _Explains Camilla's upbringing in the wild._ > Many mothers sought her for a daughter-in-law, but she continued faithful to Diana and repelled the thought of marriage. Many mothers wanted her as a wife for their sons, but she remained devoted to Diana and refused marriage. _Shows Camilla's commitment to her patron goddess and her independence._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/camilla - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters