For many years the heroic Aeneas, who escaped from falling Troy to seek the
shores of Italy, there to found the lofty walls of Rome, was tossed upon
the sea by the wrath of cruel Juno.
The fates foretold that these future Romans would overthrow a city dearer
to her than Samos,--Carthage, founded by the Tyrians, opposite Italy, and
far from the Tiberine mouths. For this rich city Juno desired boundless
rule,--hence her hatred of the Trojans. Moreover, she had not forgotten
the judgment of Paris, her slighted charms, and the supplanting of Hebe by
Ganymede.
After having tossed the unhappy hero and his men over many seas, Juno,
observing their approach to Italy, hastened to Aeolia, where King Aeolus
ruled over the struggling winds and tempests, chained in vast caves.
Bribed by Juno, Aeolus sent forth a tempest that scattered the ships of
Aeneas, and would have destroyed them had it not been for the interposition
of Neptune.
Suspecting his sister's treachery, Neptune angrily dismissed the winds,
and hastened to the relief of the Trojans. Cymothoe and Triton pushed the
ships from the rocks, he himself assisting with his trident. Then, driving
over the rough waves in his chariot, he soothed the frenzy of the sea.
The wearied Aeneans speedily sought a harbor on the Libyan shore, a long
and deep recess bordered by a dense grove.
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