In Latium the unhappiness increased, and Turnus, enraged at the reproaches
heaped upon him, declared that he would decide the war by single combat
with Aeneas. Latinus made no secret of his regret at having been compelled
to break his compact with Aeneas; but Amata, still furious, raged against
Aeneas, and declared that she would die if he were made her son-in-law.
The preparations were made for the single combat, the sacrifices at the
altars, the crowds assembled to witness the combat; but just as the kings
were solemnizing the agreement, Turnus's sister, Juturna, a river goddess,
beloved of Jupiter, renewed the hostilities that Turnus might be saved. A
weapon hurled from the Latin ranks caused the indignant Trojans to rise in
arms, forgetful of the treaty, and the fight raged more fiercely than
before.
Juturna, fearful from Juno's words of the fate of Turnus, assumed the
guise of Metiscus, his charioteer, and drove her brother over the field
far from the angry Aeneas, who, weary of waiting for Turnus, turned towards
Latium. The frightened people rushed hither and thither, and the queen,
seeing the approaching foe, the roofs in flames, and no troops of Turnus
in sight, supposed the Rutulian dead, and hanged herself.
In the mean time, Turnus, remote from the fight, reproached his sister.
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