Metus Personification of Fear; one of the shades appearing out of the underworld (Bk. 6). Mezentius Etruscus King of Caere in Etruria whose aid was invoked by Turnus against Aeneas. Though Mezentius himself was killed by Ascanius in single combat, the Aeneid portrays him as a cruel tyrant slain by Aeneas. Micon pastor The name of a shepherd in Vergil's Eclogues. Milesius Belonging to the city of Miletus; the southernmost Ionian city in Asia Minor. Mimas Troianus A soldier of Aeneas from Troy. Minicius flumen in Cisalpina A river in north Italy, near Mantua and Virgil's birthplace; a river god rising from Lake Benacus and flowing to the Po. Minerva Equivalent to the Greek goddess, Athena, who aids in the destruction of Troy despite having her temple on that citadel; associated with the arts of warfare. Minio flumen Etruscum A river in Etruria, north of Rome. Minos (minoius Cretensis) Legendary king of Crete who lived three generations before the Trojan War. He was the son of Zeus and Europa whom Zeus, in the shape of a bull had carried to Crete from Troy or Sidon. Minotaurus In a contest for the kingship, Minos prayed to Poseidon to send him a bull from the sea for sacrifice. The god complied, but the bull was so handsome that Minos kept it for himself. Therefore, Poseidon caused Minos' wife, Pasiphae, to fall in love with the bull and from their natural union the Minotaur, half-man, half-bull was born and kept in the Labyrinth built by Daedalus. Misenus Aeolides The Trojans' trumpeter; son of Aeolus and follower of Aeneas. He apparently gave his name to a headland, the modern Capo Miseno between Naples and Ischia. Mons in Campania Town and harbor in Campania. Mnasyllos Shepard in the Eclogues (6.13) Mnestheus Troianus Comrade of Aeneas, founder of Memmian House. Moeris pastor Shepard and sorcerer in the Eclogues. Moesia Country of the Moesi, a Thracian tribe situated on the lower Danube in present-day Serbia. Little is known about Moesia before 29 BC, when it was defeated and subdued by Marcus Licinius Crassus. Molorchus Poor vine-dresser near Nemea who entertained Hercules when he was about to slay the dragon of that place. Molossus son of Neoptolemus and Andromache; gave his name to one of the tribes of Epeirus in the region ruled by his father and later by his guardian, Helenus. Monoecus "Lone dweller" in Greek. Hercules supposedly lived for a time in solitude at a place near the modern Monaco where Monte Carlo is. Mopsus pastor: A shepard in Vergil's Eclogues. Morbi Personification of Diseases which threatens at the entrance of the Underworld (Bk. 6). Morini A Gallic tribe living near the North Sea, from the region of modern Belgium. Mors Personification of Death. Mulciber Volcanus Roman god of fire who derives his name, Mulciber, from his ability to avert fires. Also idendified with the Greek god, Hephaestus. Murranus Latinus Latin warrior who apparently was a close friend of Turnus. Musa Goddess of inspiration whom Aeneas invokes to explain the reasons for his suffering at the hands of the gods and the labors he must endure to found the city of Rome. Musae group of goddesses upon whom poets, artists, philosophers and intellectuals depended for inspiration. In Bk. 10 of the Aeneid, they are addressed to draw attention away from the mortal to the supernatural world. Musaeus An ancient mythical poet from Thrace and successor to the first poet, Orpheus. Mutusca in Sabinis City of the Sabines. Mycenae Ancient city south of the Isthmus of Corinth; capital city of Agamemnon; rose to wealth and power in the 16th c. BC and by the 14th c. was able to exert influence widely in the Aegean. Mycenaeus Reference to Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. Myconos A small Aegean island. Vergil represents it as one of the "anchors" for Delos. Mygdonides Mygdon was king of Phrygia who had a magnificent tomb; his son is Coroebus. Myrmidones Band of Greeks led by Achilles at Troy; the Dolopians were led by Neoptolemus. Mysia A country of Asia Minor, divided into lesser Mysia, on the Hellespont and Greater Mysia on the Aegean Sea. Mysus Adjective of Mysia. Naiades Water-nymphs of the calm sea; daughters of Nereus, the Old Man of the Sea. Napaeae A wooded valley; the dell-nymphs. Nar flumen in Umbria The river Nar, a tributary of the Tiber, derives its name from Sabine the word meaning sulfur. Narycius Narycium was a town of the Locri who lived near Euboea. Supposedly, the Locrians were shipwrecked on their return from Troy with Ajax, son of Oileus and some made their way to Southern Italy. Nautes Troinaus According to Varro, the Nautii were priests of Pallas since Nautes apparently recovered the Palladium. Naxos insula Largest of the Cyclades noted for its marble sculpture and architecture. It was the birthplace of Dionysus and scene of Ariadne's abandonment by Theseus. Neaera puella A nymph who was the mother of Lampetie and Phaethusa by Helius. Nealces Troianus Claimed the only Trojan success in Bk. 10 by taking vengeance on Salius. Nemea City in northern Argolis; the slaying of the Nemean lion was Hercules' first labor. Afterwards, he founded the Nemean Games in the Argolid. Neoptolemus Son of Achilles and Deidamia also known as Pyrrhus. Odyseus summoned Neoptolemus from Scyros to Troy where he distinguished himself in battle and was one of the warriors in the Trojan Horse. Neptunus The Greek Poseidon and most important of the sea gods. He showed hostility toward the Trojans after Laomedon cheated him and Apollo of their promised rewards for having built the walls of Troy. Nereus An old aged sea god, son of Pontus and father by the Oceanid Doris of the Nereids. He lives with the Nereids in the depths of the sea and has great wisdom, even the gift of prophecy. Nereus was able to tranform himself into many different shapes including fire and water. Neritos insula An island near Ithaca. Nersae in Aequis Ancient city of the Aequi. Nilus River in Egypt with seven deltas; represents Augustus' victory over Egypt in the Battle of Actium (31 BC). Niphaeus Rutulus Rutulian whom Aeneas slaughters (Bk. 10.570). Niphates mons in Armenia Part of the Mount Taurus range in Aremenia. Nisaee nympha Scylla, the daughter of Phorcus. Nisus rex Megaricus Legendary king of Megara and important hero there. His life and fate of the city depended on his red or purple lock of hair which was cut off by his daughter Scylla in order to betray the city to the besieging general, Minos either by a bribe or for love. Nisus was later turned into an eagle. Nisus Troianus A Trojan hero, son of Hyrtacus, and lover of Euryalus whom he dies avenging. Noemon Troianus A Trojan defending Aeneas' camp against the Rutulian attack; he is later slain by Turnus. Nola in Campania 28 km. East of Naples. Founded in the 7th cent. BC, it enjoyed great prestige during the 6th and 5th centuries. It was later captured by the Campani and came under Roman dominion c.313. Further colonization took place under Augustus. Nomades Wandering tribes of Africa; rulers whom Dido rejected as suitors because of her love for Aeneas. Nomentum in Sabinis Old Latin town on the edge of the Sabine territory, 14 miles north-east of Rome and annexed by Rome in 338 BC. Noricus A Roman province in the eastern Alps, south of the Danube, with a predominantly Celtic population. Notus ventus South wind. Minor god controlled by Aeolus from his floating prison-island and can be confined in a leather bag. Nox Personification of Night who is drawn across the sky in a chariot by the Hours. Numa Rutulus A Rutulian slain by Nisus and Euryalus Numanus Rutulus A Rutulian; brother-in-law of Turnus Numicus flumen in Latio Creek near Lavinium in Latium where Aeneas allegedly perished. He was later worshipped in the sanctuary of Sol Indiges at the mouth of the river where he supposedly landed. Numidae Country lying south-west of Carthaginian territory. Numitor Rutulus A Rutulian Numitor Rex Alba Longa king of Alba Longa Nursia in Sabinis A Sabine city; in modern times, Norcia. Nympha Young woman or bride who inhabits the sea. Nymphae Varied category of female divinities perceived as young women. They inhabit and animately express differentiated nature: water; mountains; trees; and places. Their omnipresence in popular imagination, folklore, art, myth and cult illustrates ancient pantheism. Nysa mons The mountain and city of India in which the young Bacchus was raised. Oaxes flumen River in Crete. Oceanus Son of Uranus and Ge, father of the Oceanids and river gods. Encircles the whole world from which all other rivers pour forth. In Greek theories, Oceanus is conceived as the great cosmic power, water, through which all life grows. Ocnus Mantua fundator Son of Manto; founder of Mantua. Oeagrius Thracius King of Thrace; father of Orpheus. Oebalius Lacedaemonius Oebalus was king of Sparta; Oebalius means "Spartan." Oebalus Campanus An ally of Turnus; son of Telon and Sebethis. Oechalia in Euboea City in Euboea; destroyed by Hercules when its king refused to him his daughter after she had been promised to him. Oelides Reference to the ancestry of Ulysses which made him not the child of Anticleia by Laertes, but illegitimately by the infamous Sisyphus, son of Aeolus. Oenotri First applied to the inhabitants of South Italy and then by the poets of the Italians generally. Aristotle relates that a king of the Oenotrians named Italus gave his name to the country. Oeta mons Thessalus Mountain range between Thessaly and Aetolia, where Hercules ascended the funeral pyre. Oileus Locrensium rex King of Locris, father of the Ajax who violated Cassandra and who was called from his parentage. Olearus insula An island of the Cyclades, near Delos. Olympiacus Refers to the chariot-races at Olympia which had long since lost their importance. Olympus mons Thessalus Highest mountain in in the Greek peninsula dominating the Aegean and Thessalian plains. Home of the gods. Olympus Caelum Alternate name for Mount Olympus. Onites Rutulus A Rutulian (12.595) Opheltes Troianus A Trojan warrior; father of Euryalus. Opis nympha A huntress and attendant of Diana. Orcus The god of the underworld. Oreades nymphae Mountain nymphs. Orestes The son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra; he slaughtered Clytemnestra to avenge his father's murder. Oricius Belonging to Oricum, a seaport of Illyria Graeca. Oriens The East; reference to Augustus' triumph in the Battle of Actium 31 BC. Orion sidus A great hunter of mythology who was transformed into a constellation and whose setting in autumn proclaimed the stormy season. Orithyia Erecthei filia Wife of Boreas (North Wind) who was changed into the wind herself. Oryntus Etruscus Hunter who was not properly equipped for battle as Camilla taunts him. Orodes Troianus A Trojan slain by Mezentius. Orontes Lycius A Lycian leader. Orpheus vates Son of Apollo and a Muse; earliest of mythical poets. His new bride, Eurydice died from a snakebite and Orpheus descended into Hades to rescue her. Eurydice was allowed to return provided Orpheus not look back; he failed, loseing Eurydice forever. Later, Orpheus retired into the woods and killed by the Bacchic Maenads. Orses Troianus A Trojan warrior. Orsilochus Troianus A Trojan. Ortinus Related to the ancient city of Etruria, named after its goddess Horta. Ortygia Delos Another name for Delos; (Quail Island). Ortygia ad Syracusas Island in harbor of Syracuse in Sicily. Ortygius Rutulus One of the Rutulians in the force attacking Aeneas' camp. Osci The Oscans; primitive people of Campania. Osinius rex Clusinus Part of Trojan contingent of Massacius. Osiris Latinus Warrior slain by Thymbraeus (Bk.12). Ossa mons Thessalus A mountain of 1,978 m. in Thessalian Magnesia. Othryades Panthus, son of Othrys and priest of Apollo. Othrys mons Thessalus Mountain in Thessaly; traditional home of the Centaurs. Pachynum A promontory on southeastern coast of Sicily towards Malta. Pactolos flumen in Lydium River of Asia Minor which carried down deposits of gold dust. Padus flumen in Cisalpina Italy's longest river with several tributaries. It rises in the Alps, flows about 400 miles eastward through Cisalpine Gaul and enters the Adriatic near Ravenna. Padusa A canal running from the Po to Ravenna. Paeonius Greek sculptor from Thrace; known from an original work found at Olympus in 1875 ( a marble statue of flying Nike, mounted on a high triangular base and displayed just to the east of the temple of Zeus. Paestum in Lucania Colony south-east of Naples which expanded rapidly in the 6th c. BC during which a series of temples were constructed. In 410, it fell to the Lucanians and in 273, a Latin colony was founded there. Pagasus Troianus An Etruscan killed by Camilla (according to Heyne). Palaemon Sea god; son of Ino. Palamedes Graechus Greek hero whom Ulysses accused and executed on the false charge of treason. Palatium The original site of Rome; later the home of Octavian. Palatinus Belonging to the Palatium. Pales Latin divinity of flocks and herds. Palicus numen Siculum Sicilian god or hero worshipped near the Symaethus River. Palinurus Troianus Chief helmsman of Aeneas who is overcome by Sleep, falls overboard, is washed up on the shores of Italy and there is killed by local inhabitants. Aeneas sees his ghost in the Underworld and promises to bury him at the site of his death, Cape Palinurus (modern Capo Palinuro). Pallas Minerva Alternate name for Minerva, derived from a playmate with the same name whom Minerva accidentally killed. Palladius Belonging to Pallas Athena. Palladium Sacred image of armed Athena upon which the safety of Troy depended on its possession. It was stolen by Ulysses and Diomedes enabling the sack of Troy, but Aeneas later recaptured the Palladium and brought it to Lavinium. Pallas Euandri proavus Grandfather of Evander. Filius Young son of Evander who goes to fight for Aeneas. Palla Vocative form of Pallas. Pallanta Greek accusative of Pallas. Pallantis Genitive form of Pallas. Pallante Reference to Evander who lives only for vengeance. Pallanteum City of Evander on the future site of Rome. Pallene in Macedonia An Egyptian whom Menelaus meets off the mouth of the Nile; had a home in Chalcidice, the three-pronged island that projects from the coast of Macedonia (of which the western is Pallene). Palmus Troianus Victim of Mezentius. Pan Greek rustic god identified with the Latin Faunus; his original home was in Arcadia. Panchaia Arabia A half-mythical island in the Arabian sea, rich in incense. Panchaeus Belonging to Panchaia. Pandarus Lycius Lycian ally of the Trojans; famous as an archer. Troianus Son of Alcanor; companion of Aeneas; slain by Turnus. Pangaea mons in Thracia Mountain range of Rhodope and Pangaeum. Panopea nympha One of the Nereids; she and her Nereid sisters save Ino and her infant son, Melicertes, from a watery death. Panopes Siculus A Sicilian in the foot race. Pantagias flumen Siculum A river in Sicily. Panthus Troianus A Trojan; priest of Apollo. Paphus in Cypro Seat of Venus' worship in Cyprus. Paphius Of the city of Paphos, sacred to Venus. Parcae The Fates; Italian goddesses presiding over birth and death; identified with the three Greek Fates: Clotho (who spins the thread of life), Lachesis (who allots the portion of thread to each individual) and Atropos (who cuts the thread of life). Paris Son of Priam and Hecuba, brother of Hector; his abduction of Helen sparked the Trojan War. Parnasus mons Mountain above Delphi, sacred to Apollo and the Muses; source of the Castalian spring. Parnasius Parnassian Paros insula Island famous for its marble. Parius lapis marble. Parrhasius Arcadicus From the town Parrhasia near Mt. Lycaeus in Arcadia. Parthenius Troianus A Trojan warrior. Parthenii saltus in Arcadia Parthenium ws a mountain in Arcadia; the Virgin Mountain.