ACESTES (older mortal hunter)

Dressed in a sylvan guise, he wore a rough pelt made from a Libyan bear and carried javelins.⁴ Welcoming the guests to his rude abundance, he consoled their weariness with gifts and bestowed a pair of oxen upon every ship for offerings.⁴ During the festival, he wore a green garland on his gray tresses.⁴

Aeneas was advised to make Acestes his willing friend to share his purpose and counsel, and the king treated Aeneas as a beloved guest.^5,2 A friend and kin to the Trojan people, Acestes was designated by Aeneas as the first among his honored friends.^6,7 Aeneas gave Acestes a graven bowl that had been a gift from Thracian Cisseus.⁸

In the archery competition, Acestes was the final competitor to draw his name from the helmet.⁸ He shot an arrow that caught fire and vanished into the clouds, creating a portent.⁸ Despite this omen, Aeneas declared Acestes the overall victor and crowned him with a laurel garland to honor his achievement.⁸ Reclining on a grassy bank near the arena, he spoke upbraiding words to Entellus about his inaction.⁹ He questioned why Entellus allowed the prize to be won without a fight, asking if his tales of shade-of-eryx/">Eryx were false and if all of Sicilia still praised him.⁹ Acestes also asked if Entellus's roof was still hung with trophies.⁹

Aeneas proposed leaving the crews of lost ships and weary travelers with Acestes, identifying the land as a safer destination for the fleet.^2,10 The territory ruled by Acestes was described as having a faithful bosom, and the Trojans intended to rejoin him if their current mission failed.^10,1 Acestes agreed to share in the task of settling the new town and assumed kingly power over the new settlement.⁷ He appointed a forum for the community and decreed just laws before a gathered senate.⁷ He sent the stored wine to Aeneas as a guest, and Helymus and Panopes served as his companions.^5,11