# Camilla—Evander—Nisus and Euryalus—Mezentius—Turnus explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

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

## What happens

Aeneas arrives at the Tiber's mouth, the destined end of his wanderings. King Latinus, warned by an oracle that his daughter Lavinia should marry a foreigner, welcomes the Trojans. Juno, enraged, sends Alecto to stir up war: the queen Amata opposes the alliance, Turnus is incited, and a hunting accident involving Iulus and a tame stag ignites conflict. The gates of Janus are burst open by Juno, and war erupts. Aeneas allies with King Evander, who recounts the early history of Rome and proposes an alliance with the Etruscans against Mezentius and Turnus. The episode of Nisus and Euryalus tells of their doomed night raid into the Rutulian camp. Mezentius is wounded by Aeneas but his son Lausus dies defending him; Mezentius later returns and is slain. Camilla, a warrior huntress, joins Turnus's forces.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Free Will

Aeneas's destiny to found Rome is fulfilled through oracles and omens (the eating of tables), while Juno's interference represents the struggle against fate.

### Hospitality and Its Violation

Latinus welcomes the Trojans, but the violation of hospitality through the stag incident and Juno's discord leads to war.

### Heroism and the Quest

Aeneas's quest to establish a new home in Italy is marked by alliances, battles, and the heroic sacrifices of Nisus and Euryalus.

## Character check-ins

### Aeneas

The Trojan hero arrives at the Tiber, allies with Evander, and leads the war against Turnus and Mezentius.

### Turnus

King of the Rutulians, suitor of Lavinia, and chief opponent of Aeneas; incited by Juno to war.

### Juno

Hostile goddess who sends Alecto to stir up discord and bursts open the gates of Janus to start the war.

### Mezentius

Cruel Etruscan tyrant exiled by his people, ally of Turnus; wounded by Aeneas and later slain after his son Lausus dies.

### Lausus

Son of Mezentius, a generous youth who dies defending his father against Aeneas.

### Camilla

Warrior huntress and favorite of Diana, leads a band of mounted followers to join Turnus's forces.

### Nisus

Trojan warrior who undertakes a night raid with Euryalus; dies avenging his friend.

### Euryalus

Young Trojan companion of Nisus; captured and killed during the night raid.

## Key lines

> He fell, unhappy, by a wound intended for another, looked up at the skies, and dying remembered sweet Argos.

Anthor, a Greek who followed Evander, was struck by a spear meant for Aeneas and died thinking of his homeland.

_This poignant line describes the death of Anthor, a minor character, and has become proverbial._

> See, we are eating our tables.

Iulus playfully observes that the Trojans are eating the hard biscuit they used as plates, fulfilling the Harpy's prophecy.

_This omen confirms to Aeneas that they have reached their promised land._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxiii-camilla-evander-nisus-and-euryalus-mezentius-turnus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters