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Summarizing Virgil's Aeneid- Book 10

 


Book 10 begins with a council of the gods. Jupiter accuses the gods of fighting among themselves. Venus talks about the conflict in Italy and accuses Juno of inciting it. Juno responds by blaming all of the issues on Aeneas. Jupiter decides not to take sides, but to leave the rest in the hands of the fates.

While this is happening, Turnus and the Rutulians continue to wage war against the Trojans who are desperately trying to fight back from their walls. Meanwhile, Aeneas is sailing down the river with all of his new allies. One of Aeneas’ ships, which has been turned into a divine being, visits him and tells him of the battle happening between Turnus and the Trojans, and pushes his boat to ensure a swift arrival. As the sun rises, Aeneas and his allies arrive and begin fighting back against the Rutulians. 

Turnus sees them arrive and directs his armies to turn to face them. A great battle commences. Many men die on both sides, yet still the battle continues. 

Pallas and his men are confronted by Turnus. Pallas gives a great speech and they battle 

on. Eventually, Turnus and Pallas face off. Turnus kills Pallas and takes Pallas’ belt. Aeneas is successfully slaughtering man after man. A certain man decides to try to save himself by offering Aeneas silver and gold, but Aeneas, angered by the death of Pallas, refuses the offer and kills the man. 

There are many more confrontations between Rutulians and Aeneas, too many to include in this brief summary. Aeneas is successful in every one.

Meanwhile, the gods are watching everything unfold. Juno asks Jupiter to spare Turnus, but Jupiter tells her she can’t stop the outcome and any reprieve for Turnus would be brief. Juno creates a phantom of Aeneas which lures Turnus onto a ship. Juno then carries the ship away from shore. Turnus is very distraught and embarrassed that to others, he would appear to be retreating. He decides to fall on his own sword, but is unable to follow through. The tide carries him back to his own city.

Back on the battlefield, Aeneas faces Mezentius and his son Lausus. Mezentius has been going around the battle slaughtering man after man. Juno and Venus have been watching the battle, and they pity the senseless passion of the men. Eventually, he encounters Aeneas. He throws a spear at Aeneas, which deflects off the great shield and kills one of Aeneas’ companions. Aeneas is not happy about that and attacks back. He injures Mezentius. Lausus takes over while Mezentius falls back. Aeneas kills Lausus. When Menzentius hears of the death of Lausus, he is distraught. He decides to face Aeneas once again. He rides his horse back into battle. Aeneas kills the horse which falls to the ground and Mezentius gets tangled up in the fallen horse. Aeneas then kills Mezentius. 

Book 10 ends with the death of Mezentius. This battle has been particularly bloody. The gods can only watch these events unfold, unable to stop what has been set into motion.

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Continue to Book 11

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