Book II
Aeneas recounts Troy's fall through treachery of the Trojan Horse and Sinon. He escapes with his father, son, and household gods; his wife Creusa is lost.
6 argumentative units
- 01Sinon's deception and the Wooden Horse
Aeneas recounts how the Greeks tricked Troy using a giant wooden horse and the lying captive Sinon, whose false story convinced the Trojans to drag the horse inside their walls.
- 02Laocoon and the Serpents
The priest Laocoon warns against the horse and is destroyed by sea-serpents sent by the gods, which the Trojans take as divine punishment and bring the horse inside.
- 03Hector's Ghost and Troy's Final Night
Hector's ghost appears to Aeneas warning him to flee; the Greeks pour from the horse and Troy burns as Aeneas fights desperately through the flaming city.
- 04The Fall of Priam's Palace
Pyrrhus breaks into the royal palace; old Priam arms himself in vain and is slaughtered at the altar, marking the final end of Troy's royal line.
- 05Aeneas Carries Anchises from Burning Troy
Venus urges Aeneas to flee; old Anchises at last consents after a divine omen, and Aeneas carries him out on his shoulders while leading young Ascanius by the hand.
- 06Creusa Lost and Her Ghost's Farewell
During the escape Creusa is separated and lost; Aeneas searches frantically and finds only her ghost, which prophesies his destiny in Latium and bids him grieve no more.