Messapus
Messapus, (Greek: Μέσσαπος, Messapos) a character in Virgil's Aeneid, appears in Books VII to XII of the Latin epic poem. He was a son of Neptune, a famous tamer of horses, and king of Etruria, known for being one "whom no one can fell by fire or steel" (Mandelbaum, VII.911-912).[1]
Narrative
Although accustomed to peace, in Book VII Messapus joins forces with Turnus in his battle against Aeneas and the Trojans. Book VIII lists him as one of Turnus' chief captains, along with Ufens and Mezentius.
In Book IX, which recounts the nighttime raid by Nisus and Euryalus on the Rutulian camp, the battle helmet of Messapus is taken by Euryalus. Light reflected off the stolen helmet, betraying Euryalus to his enemies and leading not only to his own death, but also that of Nisus.
Messapus fought in battle in Book X, killing Clonius, and Ericetes son of Lycaon. In Book XI, he led a cavalry charge alongside Coras and Camilla.
Book XII again lists Messapus as one of the captains of the armies, described as "brilliant in gold and purple". He threw a spear at Aeneas, taking the top off his helmet, and enraging him. At the height of the battle, Messapus and Atinas alone held the Rutulian line at the gates of Laurentum. A truce was called for Turnus and Aeneas to fight in single combat, but the Rutulians break the truce. Messapus, eager to stop the duel, charged on horseback towards Etruscan king Aulestes, who tripped and fell onto an altar and pleaded for his life. Messapus stabbed him with his spear, saying "He's had it, this nobler victim given to the mighty gods!"
Inspiration
Virgil adapted a myth from Greek poetry to create Messapus, namely the Greek mythological figure Cycnus, who was a son of Poseidon. Virgil also "borrowed" the property of invulnerability from Cycnus and attributed it to Messapus.[2]
References
- ^ The Aeneid of Virgil. Translated by Mandelbaum, Allen. New York: Bantam Books. 1971. p. 183. ISBN 0-553-21041-6.
- ^ O'Hara, James J. (1989). "Messapus, Cycnus, and the Alphabetical Order of Vergil's Catalogue of Italian Heroes". Phoenix. 43 (1). Classical Association of Canada: 37. ISSN 0031-8299. JSTOR 1088539.
- v
- t
- e
Deities | |
---|---|
Trojans |
|
Phoenicians | |
Others |
|
- The Avenger (1962)
- Eneide (1971–2)
- Eneyida (1991)
- Historia Brittonum (c. 828 history of Britain)
- Roman d'Enéas (1160 poem)
- Dido, Queen of Carthage (c. 1593 play)
- Amelia (1751 novel)
- The Dunciad (1729 poem)
- Eneida (1798 mock epic)
- Lavinia (2008 novel)
- Didone (1641 Cavalli)
- Achille et Polyxène (1687 Lully/Collasse)
- Dido and Aeneas (1688 Purcell)
- Didon (1693 Desmarets)
- Didone abbandonata (1724 libretto Metastasio)
- Didone abbandonata (1724 Sarro)
- Didone abbandonata (1724 Albinoni)
- Didone abbandonata (1726 Vinci)
- Didone abbandonata (1762 Sarti)
- Didon (1783 Piccinni)
- Dido, Queen of Carthage (1792 Storace)
- Les Troyens (1858 Berlioz)
- Laocoön and His Sons (25 BC)
- Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius (1619)
- The Dream of Aeneas (1660–65)
- Ascanius Shooting the Stag of Sylvia (1689)
- Dido building Carthage (1815)
- The Golden Bough (1834)
- "And Then There Was Silence"
- Gates of Fire
- Brutus of Troy
- Eneados
- The Golden Bough
- Parallels between Virgil's Aeneid and Homer's Iliad and Odyssey
- Political commentary of the Aeneid
- Sulpicius Apollinaris
- Trojan Horse
This article relating to an Ancient Roman myth or legend is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- v
- t
- e