Book VIII
Aeneas seeks alliance with Evander. Venus provides him divine armor forged by Vulcan, depicting Rome's future. Aeneas views Evander's city on the Tiber.
4 argumentative units
- 01Tiber's Vision and the Omen of the White Sow
The river god Tiber appears to Aeneas in a dream, prophesying his destiny and directing him to seek Evander's alliance; at dawn a white sow with thirty young confirms the omen.
- 02Aeneas at Evander's Court
Aeneas arrives at Evander's humble city on the future site of Rome, asks for alliance, and Evander warmly recalls his old friendship with Anchises and agrees to send his son Pallas.
- 03Venus Secures Vulcan's Divine Armor
Venus persuades her husband Vulcan to forge miraculous armor for Aeneas; the Cyclops labor through the night at Vulcan's command crafting the prophetic shield.
- 04The Shield Depicting Rome's Future
Venus delivers the finished armor; Aeneas marvels at Vulcan's shield which depicts Rome's entire future history — from Romulus and Remus through Augustus's triumph at Actium.