Aeneid Glossary

The Latin poet Vergil (Virgil)(70-19 B.C.) hadn't finished his masterpiece, an epic called the Aeneid, when he died. Despite its draft status, the Aeneid is counted the greatest poem in Latin literature.

Here are some of the names of mostly people or mythological creatures Vergil used in the Aeneid.For characters from the Trojan War, the climax of which Vergil describes in Book II, see Major Figures in the Trojan War.

Achates

If the Romans thought in terms of BFFs, Achates would be Aeneas'. As it is, Achates is a shallow character in the Aeneid whose major function is to serve as faithful companion to Aeneas.More »

Acheron

The Acheron is one of the rivers of the Underworld, in Tartarus. In Book VII, Juno uses Acheron as metonomy for the Underworld: flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo 'if I can't move the gods, I'll move the Acheron' (If I can't move heaven, I'll move hell).

Aeneas

Aeneas was the son of the goddess Venus and the mortal Anchises, who was a cousin of King Priam of Troy. Thus, Aeneas was also a Trojan prince. He led a band of survivors of the devastation of his home city. Their travels finally ended when they arrived in Latium, in Italy, where they founded the Roman race.More »

Anchises

Anchises was a Trojan prince whose great-uncle was Ganymede, the beautiful youth Zeus (Jupiter) abducted to be cupbearer for the gods. Anchises was the cousin of the king of Troy at the time of the Trojan War, King Priam. He was also father of the hero of the Aeneid, Aeneas.More »

Ascanius

Son of Aeneas and Creusa, Ascanius was a little boy when they set out from burning Troy. Later, he would found a city called Alba Longa. Ascanius is also called Iulus, from which comes the Julian gens.

Cerberus

The three-headed, serpent-tailed dog Cerberus was the offspring of Echidna and Typhon.More »

Charon

Charon was paid to ferry the newly dead to the land of the dead.

Roman Burial

Creusa

Creusa is the first wife of Aeneas and a daughter of King Priam of Troy. In Book II of the Aeneid, Creusa sets out from Troy following behind Aeneas, who is carrying his father, Anchises, and their son, Ascanius. She gets separated and when Aeneas tries to find her, a spirit of her tells him to go on without her.