Book XII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Fate and Destiny

  Turnus's fate is sealed by divine will, as Jove sends a Dira to ensure his downfall and Aeneas's victory.

• War and Violence

  The chapter is dominated by brutal combat, including the breaking of the truce, the wounding of Aeneas, and the final duel.

• Divine Intervention

  Venus heals Aeneas, Jove sends a Dira to frighten Turnus, and Juno and Jove negotiate the peace.

• Suffering and Sacrifice

  Turnus's death is a sacrifice for peace, and Amata's grief reflects the personal cost of war.

Characters to notice

• Turnus

  Challenges Aeneas to single combat, fights fiercely after the truce is broken, and is ultimately killed by Aeneas.

• Aeneas

  Accepts Turnus's challenge, is wounded by an arrow, healed by Venus, and finally kills Turnus.

• Latinus

  Attempts to dissuade Turnus from combat, offers peace and alternative brides.

• Amata

  Pleads with Turnus to avoid single combat, fearing for his life.

• Juno

  Finally relents and agrees to peace with Jove, ending her hostility toward the Trojans.

• Jove

  Reconciles with Juno, sends a Dira to frighten Turnus, and ensures the outcome of the war.

• Juturna

  Turnus's sister, attempts to aid him but is driven away by the Dira sent by Jove.

• Venus

  Heals Aeneas's wound miraculously, allowing him to continue the fight.

Key passages

• “When Turnus saw the Latins leave the field, Their armies broken, and their courage quell'd, Himself become the mark of public spite, His honour question'd for the promis'd fight; The more he was with vulgar hate oppress'd, The more his fury boil'd within his breast: He rous'd his vigour for the last debate, And rais'd his haughty soul to meet his fate.”

  Turnus, seeing the Latins defeated and himself blamed for the failed truce, becomes enraged and resolves to face his destiny in single combat.

  Turnus's determination to fight despite the odds.

• “But good Aeneas rush'd amid the bands; Bare was his head, and naked were his hands, In sign of truce: then thus he cries aloud: 'What sudden rage, what new desire of blood, Inflames your alter'd minds? O Trojans, cease From impious arms, nor violate the peace!'”

  Aeneas, unarmed and with head uncovered, rushes between the armies to call for a halt to the fighting, reminding them of the truce.

  Aeneas's attempt to maintain the peace.

• “Thus while he spoke, unmindful of defence, A winged arrow struck the pious prince. But, whether from some human hand it came, Or hostile god, is left unknown by fame: No human hand or hostile god was found, To boast the triumph of so base a wound.”

  While Aeneas was speaking, an arrow hit him; it was unclear whether it came from a human or a god, and no one claimed credit for the cowardly shot.

  The mysterious wounding of Aeneas.

• “Then thus the founder of mankind replies (Unruffled was his front, serene his eyes) 'Can Saturn's issue, and heav'n's other heir, Such endless anger in her bosom bear? Be mistress, and your full desires obtain; But quench the choler you foment in vain.'”

  Jove calmly responds to Juno, asking if she can hold such endless anger, and grants her wishes while urging her to let go of her wrath.

  Jove's reconciliation with Juno.

• “Now stern Aeneas his weighty spear Against his foe, and thus upbraids his fear: 'What farther subterfuge can Turnus find? What empty hopes are harbour'd in his mind? 'Tis not thy swiftness can secure thy flight; Not with their feet, but hands, the valiant fight.'”

  Aeneas taunts Turnus, saying that speed cannot save him and that true courage is shown in hand-to-hand combat, not flight.

  Aeneas's final challenge to Turnus.