Aeneas

American  

[ih-nee-uhs] / ɪˈni əs /

Also Aineias

noun

Classical Mythology.

1. a Trojan hero, the reputed ancestor of the Romans: protagonist of the Aeneid.

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Aeneas British  

/ ɪˈniːəs /

noun

1. classical myth a Trojan prince, the son of Anchises and Aphrodite, who escaped the sack of Troy and sailed to Italy via Carthage and Sicily. After seven years, he and his followers established themselves near the site of the future Rome

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Aeneas Cultural  

1. A famous warrior of classical mythology; a leader in the Trojan War (see also Trojan War) on the Trojan side. After the fall of Troy, Aeneas fled with his father and son and was shipwrecked at Carthage in northern Africa. There Dido, the queen of Carthage, fell in love with him and ultimately committed suicide when she realized that Aeneas could not stay with her forever. After many trials, Aeneas arrived in what is now Italy. The ancient Romans believed that they were descended from the followers of Aeneas.

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Because he carried his elderly father out of the ruined Troy on his back, Aeneas represents filial devotion and duty.

Aeneas is the hero of the Aeneid of Virgil.

The doomed love of Aeneas and Dido has been a source for artistic creation since ancient times.

Example Sentences

The story of the first Carthaginian queen, Dido, was co-opted by the Roman poet Virgil, whose hero, Aeneas, spurns her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

"The feedback was that Aeneas was not only allowing the historians to accelerate their work but it also revealed parallels that they had previously not identified," according to Dr Sommerschield.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

Viewpoint 75, Grand Terrace 54: Wesley Waddles and Aeneas Grullon each had 24 points for Viewpoint.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2024

Viewpoint 67, Moorpark 49: Aeneas Grullon had 19 points and Wesley Waddles added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Viewpoint.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2024

Among them Aeneas soon came upon Anchises, who greeted him with incredulous joy.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton