THE BOARDS ARE EATEN

Aeneas told Dido his story, and she fell in love with him. He stayed almost a year, but the gods ordered him to leave. He sailed away while she slept. In grief, Dido burned his belongings on a pyre, stabbed herself, and leaped into the flames. Aeneas returned to Sicily for funeral games at his father's tomb—boat races, foot races, boxing, archery, and a boys' cavalry drill. Then they sailed up the Tiber River. Having no dishes, they used flat cakes as plates. Hungry Iulus ate his cake and cried: "I have eaten even the board!" Aeneas realized the prophecy was fulfilled—they could settle here. King Latinus welcomed them and promised Lavinia to Aeneas.