The Aeneid: Book V

1. The Aeneid: Book V Presented By: Megan Frye Sarah Leiser Bentley Borrego

2. Carthage As the Trojans leave Carthage, they look back and see a fire; however, they do not realize that it is actually Dido’s funeral pyre. There is a mutual feeling of fear throughout the group as they sail away.

3. The Storm Soon after their departure, a huge storm arises and the helmsmen, Palinurus, tells Aeneas that it is impossible to reach Italy under these conditions. He proposes a new course to Sicily. They land near Anchises’ tomb and Acestes is there to meet them.

4. The Sacrifice The next day, Aeneas declares that sacrifices will be made at his father’s tomb as it is the 1-year anniversary of his death. There will be 8 days of offerings and on the 9th day, games to honor Anchises. As the sacrifices begin, a huge serpent appears, tastes the offerings, and then disappears. Aeneas believes it a sign from his father and the rituals continue.

5. The Boat Race On the 9th day, the people assemble, the prizes are revealed, and the games begin! The course involves sailing around a rock some distance away and then racing back. Contestants: Mnestheus in the Pristis, Gyas in the Chimaera, Sergestus in the Centaurus, and Cloanthus in the Scylla

6. The Boat Race (continued) • Gyas takes an early lead, close behind is Cloanthus, with Mnestheus and Sergestus battling it out for third. • As they near the turning point, Gyas tells his helmsman, Menoetes, to steer closer to the rocks; but he is afraid of crashing and hesitates, giving Cloanthus' ship a chance to slip past on the inside. • Infuriated, Gyas throws Menoetes overboard.

7. The Boat Race (continued) • Sergestus remains in 3rd ahead of Mnestheus who is struggling to stay out of last place. • Unfortunately, Sergestus gets too close to the turning point and runs his ship aground. • Mnestheusleaves him in the dust and soon catches up to Gyas in 2nd place; then he sets out to pass Cloanthus, the leader.

8. The Boat Race (continued) • Down the home stretch, Mnestheus and Cloanthus are neck-and-neck, but Cloanthus prays to the gods who give him the last push needed to win the race. • Aeneas awardsprizes to the crews of all three ships that completed the course. • Sergestus arrives much later, having finally freed his ship from the rocks, and humiliated, accepts the 4th place prize.

9. The Foot Race Aeneas now announces the foot race. He promises prizes for all participants and special awards for the top 3 finishers. A man named Nisus takes the lead, but slips in blood right before the finish line. While on the ground he purposely trips Salius, the 2nd place runner so his friend, Euryalus, can win the race.

10. The Foot Race (continued) Salius informs Aeneas of Nisus’ unsportsmanlike conduct and demands consolation; however, he is overruled. But in order to keep the peace, both men are awarded individual prizes.

11. The Boxing Competition Aeneas now declares that a boxing match will take place. One man, Dares, steps forward, but no one volunteers to fight him. Acestes encourages Entellus to challenge Dares. Grumbling, Entellus agrees and both men commence to fight with huge gauntlets (fighting gloves). Dares, the younger of the two, dodges a punch from Entulluswho loses his balance and falls over, but he is helped up, and with renewed anger, charges Dares.

12. The Boxing Competition (continued) Aeneas, seeing that the fight is getting out of hand, quickly ends it, declaring Entullus the winner. The prize is an ox which Entullus kills as a sign of dominance and also as a demonstration of what he would have done to Dares if he had been allowed.

13. The Archery Contest and Equestrian Show Now, Aeneas announces the archery contest, with the target being a small dove. After a few failed attempts by other archers, Eurytion kills the bird. Then it is Acestes’ turn, but with no target remaining, he aimlessly shoots his arrow into the air. Within seconds, it catches fire, and then disappears completely. Aeneas believes it is a sign from the gods and presents Acestes with first prize. Afterwards, a few young men display their horsemanship skills and engage in a mock battle.

14. Juno’s Intervention As the games are progressing, Isis, sent by Juno, travels down and incites the Trojan women to burn Aeneas’ ships. When the Trojans hear of this act, Ascanius and others rush down to the sea, but are unable to extinguish the flames. In desperation, Aeneas prays to Jupiter who sends a brief thunderstorm, saving all the ships except four.

15. Nautes’ Advice As Aeneas debates whether to abandon the mission, Nautes tells him to continue on to Italy, leaving behind the weak and elderly in Acestes’ care. That night Anchises’ ghost appears to Aeneas, instructing him to take Nautus’ advice and also informing him that he must travel to the Underworld before reaching Italy. After the necessary preparations are made, Aeneas and his men set out for Italy.

16. Palinurus Venus, worried that Juno may cause more harm to the Trojans, begs Neptune to provide safe passage for them on their journey. Neptune agrees on the condition that one man must die to ensure the safety of the others. That night, Palinurus, the ships' helmsman, falls asleep at the wheel and falls into the sea. Aeneas sadly takes over and says goodbye to his friend for the last time.