Book 3 Summary

The Trojan exiles build a fleet at the base of Mount Ida and set sail for Thrace. There they find Polydorus, who had been slain by the king, and hold a proper funeral ceremony for him before leaving for Delos, home of Apollo’s shrine. 

At the shrine, Aeneas is told to return to their ancestral home in Crete, which they do. However, soon after they arrive, a pestilence forces them to leave early without returning to Delos. Instead they are instructed by their household gods that Italy is now their destination. 

On route, the Trojans land on Strophades and incur the wrath of Harpies when trying to steal some goats and cattle from them. Celaeno curses them saying that hunger will force them to eat their tables before they reach Italy. They go on to Actium where they spend a year before traveling to Buthothrum. 

There, Helenus has become king with Andromache as his wife. After encountering Andromache at Hector's empty tomb, she tells him that Orestes, Agamemnon’s son, had killed Pyrrhus, which made Helenus heir to a small kingdom. He prophesies what route they need take in order to reach Italy safely, including avoiding Scylla and Charybdis and visiting Sibyl. 

The Trojans reluctantly leave Buthothrum, and unknowingly they come across the island of the Cyclops. However, they quickly escape after seeing the blinded Polyphemus. Eventually, they dock in Drepanum on Sicily, where Anchises dies. From there travel to Carthage, and Aeneas finishes his tale.

Book 4 Summary

Dido is in love with Aeneas, and her sister, Anna, advises her to follow her feelings. Juno and Venus also conspire to unite the couple, believing it will be good for Carthage. 

Dido and Aeneas go on a hunt which leads them into a cave where they copulate. Dido believes this constitutes marriage between them; however, word spreads of their affair and rumors circulate that she has given up properly ruling the city in favor of lust. This causes great consternation among the leaders who had vied for her hand. 

Jupiter sends Mercury to tell Aeneas his destiny is Italy, reminding him he must think of his son’s future and stop wasting time building Carthage. 

Aeneas tells his crew to prepare the fleet in silence as he attempts to approach Dido with bad news, but she attacks him for trying to leave and pleads with him, citing their marriage and her lost reputation. Aeneas denies that they have been married and insists it is the god’s will that he departs. Dido curses him, wishing an early death without having enjoyed his new kingdom; she also prays for an avenger against Trojan settlers, ensuring that both kingdoms are eternal enemies. 

That same night, Aeneas has a vision warning of something bad if he does not depart soon. The next morning when she sees the empty harbor, Dido regrets not attacking them before they left, climbs onto a pyre, and after reminiscing on what was accomplished before love cursed her, she plunges a sword into her heart. Juno sends Iris who sets her soul free by cutting a lock of hair from her head.