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Summarizing Virgil's Aeneid- Book 8



 As book 8 begins, Aeneas is observing Turnus gathering his forces to come against him, and is greatly troubled. He isn’t sure what to do. He drifts off to sleep and the rivergod Tiberinus comes to him and instructs him to travel upriver to create an alliance with King Evander in order to face off with Turnus. Aeneas rises and goes to the river to pray. Aeneas then follows Tiberinus’ instructions and departs that day. 

They arrive in the lands of King Evander and are greeted by his son Pallas. Pallas asks who they are. Aeneas explains who they are, and Pallas takes Aeneas to his father, King Evander. Aeneas explains the situation and asks for help against Turnus. King Evander welcomes Aeneas and agrees to give him aid in the coming battle. 

In the meantime, they enjoy a feast and Evander tells Aeneas the story of Hercules coming to those very lands to defeat an ogre named Cacus, who had stolen all of the cattle. He then tells Aeneas how people first came to be in those lands and some of the history of the area. 

While they are conversing, Venus approaches her husband Vulcan. She begs him to craft armor and equipment for Aeneas to use in the coming battle. She wants to do all she can to protect Aeneas. Vulcan agrees to help and, after sleeping for a little while, immediately begins working on the requested items. 

In the morning, Aeneas and Evander meet once again. Evander tells Aeneas the story of Mezentius, who had been a king in the neighboring land but mistreated his subjects so badly they all rose up in revolt against them. He managed to escape and took refuge with Turnus. Because of this, many of the surrounding people had reason to join Aeneas in a fight against Turnus. Evander explains that he is too old and his body is too weak for military command, so he offers command to Aeneas and decides to send Pallas at his side to learn from Aeneas and help him in the battle. Aeneas, who had been expecting Evander to lead, is a little shocked, but, upon receiving signs from Venus, accepts command of their forces.

Preparations are made, and they depart. Evander gives a heartfelt farewell to his son. 

They are led out by Aeneas, joined by Pallas. Mothers watch them all leave, worried about their sons. The column makes an encampment for the night.

Venus looks down and sees Aeneas by himself near a stream. She becomes visible and presents to him the gifts made by Vulcan himself. She tells him that now he doesn’t have any need for hesitation. Aeneas admires each piece, one by one. The last he looks over is the shield. Upon the shield, Vulcan has wrought a history of Rome. Aeneas looks over the events represented on the shield and is full of wonder. When Virgil wrote the Aeneid, all of the events portrayed on the shield had already occurred, however, from Aeneas’ perspective, he is getting a glimpse into the future of his people. 

The description of the shield concludes book 8. The stage is now set. Turnus has his army, Aeneas has his army. Books 9-12 recount the events of the battle itself. Everything is now leading up to the epic conclusion of the story of Aeneas and the Trojans in Italy.


Go Back to Book 7


Continue to Book 9


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