ENTELLUS (figure from Vergil's Aeneid)
Figure of myth · figure from Vergil's Aeneid
- Siblings
- Eryx
- In the sources
- 3 ancient passages
Entellus appeared gigantic, towering in the center of the ring, strong in bulk but tottering on sluggish knees.1 He possessed a pair of blood-stained gauntlets that had formerly belonged to shade-of-eryx/">Eryx, his sibling.2,1 In his prime, Entellus wore Eryx's armor before age affected him.1
Reclining on a grassy bank near Acestes, Entellus admitted that old age had made his blood and powers sluggish.2 Acestes reminded him of his past bravery and victories in his youth.2 Entellus claimed his honor prevented him from yielding to fear despite his age.2 He threw a pair of heavy gauntlets into the arena to challenge Dares, proposing a boxing match on equal terms.2,1
After removing his mantle and gauntlets to prepare, Entellus stood unshaken and parried attacks with body movement and quick eyes.1 Though he missed his blow and fell prone to the earth like a felled pine, Acestes hurried to lift him.1 Roused by rage, Entellus rushed back into the fight and drove Dares around the ring with relentless blows from both hands.1 He defeated Dares, leaving him unable to move.3
Expressing a wish to regain his youthful strength to fight without prizes, he struck the bull between the horns, killing it instantly.2,3 He offered the dead bull as a sacrifice to Eryx.3 Present at the ship where Dares was taken, Entellus left his boxing gloves and skills with Eryx as a final gift.3
