ASCANIUS (founder of Alba Longa)

Ascanius held his father's hand and moved with uneven steps behind him, left in the shadows of a valley with the household gods as they fled.⁹ Aphrodite poured a perfect sleep over his body to hide him, carrying him away to the grove of Idalia.¹⁰ He carried gifts saved from the sea and burning Troy, including a sceptre formerly owned by Ilione, a necklace of pearls, and a veil bordered by saffron lilies.^10,11

In his youth, Ascanius led the cavalry as the fairest of the young riders, often mounting a steed from Sidon that was a gift and pledge of love from Dido.¹² Dido held Ascanius close to her chest to distract herself from her intense romantic passion.¹³ He was eager for a hunter's praise, riding fiercely to the chase through valleys on a speckled horse, using nets, snares, and a bent bow with light-winged arrows.^6,5,14 His hounds were driven into a sudden rage during these hunts, and he killed his enemy with a shot from his bow, having first offered a suppliant vow to Jove.^6,14

After the deaths of Aeneas and Anchises, Ascanius founded the city of Alba Longa on Mount Albanus, a place described as having a noble name.^15,16,17 He ruled over Alba and the Latin state, destined to rule Italy, a land full of thrones and war, which was his rightful due.^18,19,3,20 Though he was meant to bring the whole wide world under his law, his rule was brief, lasting only for a period of thirty months before he relocated the seat of power.^3,17 His reign was marked by the transfer of the royal seat from the Lavinian citadel, and he taught the Latin people specific marching and combat games, passing these customs to the people of Alba Longa.^17,21

Amulius and Numitor were descended from Ascanius, and Sylvius succeeded him in his position of power.^16,19 Accounts differ on his end; one version states that a spear was driven under his fifth rib, causing his death, while others speak of his retirement from the plains if Aeneas were defeated.^22,23 In times of siege, he lay close in moated walls, assailed by threatening arms.²⁴ Thus, Ascanius stood as the bridge between the Trojan past and the Roman future, his fair-browed visage and heroic soul remembered as the foundation of a great empire.^{17,10,25,26,4,5,6}