THE ESCAPE FROM THE BURNING CITY
During the Trojan War, Italy was divided into kingdoms including Etruria and Latium. King Latinus of Latium dreamed the gods told him to give his daughter Lavinia to a stranger. Meanwhile Troy fell to the Greeks. Prince Aeneas, son of Venus, escaped the burning city. He carried his old father Anchises on his back and led his son Iulus by hand. His wife was killed. At a temple, other survivors joined him. They sailed west but didn't know where to settle. Anchises consulted their household gods, who said to go to Italy—but they would not settle until they had eaten the boards on which their food was served. Despite this prophecy of famine, Aeneas sailed on.
The Text
What You'll Learn
Comprehension
Notes Latinus dreamed to give Lavinia to a stranger
Cause & Consequence
Explains why Aeneas fled: Venus told him resistance was useless
Significance
Understands this connects Rome's founding to the Trojan War
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