# Infant Rome explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

King Evander, an exile from Arcadia, welcomes Aeneas and recounts the early history of the site that will become Rome, from the golden age of Saturn to the tyranny of Mezentius. He proposes an alliance with the Etruscans, who have rejected their cruel king Mezentius and seek a foreign leader. Evander offers his son Pallas to accompany Aeneas, who then rides to the Etruscan camp to assume command.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hospitality and Its Violation

Evander's generous welcome of Aeneas exemplifies proper hospitality, while Mezentius' cruelty and the Etruscans' demand for his punishment highlight the violation of social bonds.

### Fate and Free Will

The prophecy that the Etruscans' leader must come from across the sea, and Evander's recognition of Aeneas as the destined leader, underscore the role of fate in shaping events.

## Character check-ins

### Aeneas

The Trojan hero, guest of King Evander, who learns of the region's history and is offered leadership of the Etruscan forces.

### Evander

The aged Arcadian king who settled on the future site of Rome, recounts the golden age of Saturn and the tyranny of Mezentius, and proposes an alliance with Aeneas.

### Pallas

Son of Evander, who is sent to accompany Aeneas and learn the art of war.

### Mezentius

The deposed Etruscan king, a monster of cruelty who fled to Turnus for protection.

### Turnus

The Rutulian leader who protects the exiled Mezentius.

## Key lines

> Such peace and plenty ensued that men ever since have called his reign the golden age; but by degrees far other times succeeded, and the thirst of gold and the thirst of blood prevailed.

Saturn's rule brought such harmony and abundance that it was remembered as the golden age, but later eras were marked by greed and violence.

_Evander contrasts the idyllic past with the subsequent decline into tyranny._

> He would fasten the dead to the living, hand to hand and face to face, and leave the wretched victims to die in that dreadful embrace.

Mezentius would bind corpses to living prisoners, forcing them to perish together in a horrifying union.

_Describes the extreme cruelty of the deposed Etruscan king._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/infant-rome
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters