PALLAS, SON OF EVANDER (mythical son of Evander)

When the Trojans arrived, Pallas ran forward to a high spot to greet the warriors.⁴ He asked the strangers about their origin and intentions, urging the crowd to continue the sacred festival despite the alarm.⁴ Pallas invited Aeneas to speak in the presence of his father and extended his right hand to welcome the guests.⁴ He then walked hand in hand with Aeneas up the steep woodland to meet Evander.^4,5

Pallas helped lead the Teucrian armies into Latium, where he fought on the Rutule field.^6,7 Observing his Arcadian men retreating while the Latins pursued, he used taunts and entreaties to rekindle their courage.² He asserted that the gods were not fighting against them, only mortal foes, and pointed to the sea as a barrier preventing escape.² Springing full into the center of the gathered enemy forces, he urged his soldiers to fight through them rather than flee.² Pallas vowed to hang the spoils of Halaesus on the Tiber's oak, acquiring glittering spoils from his victims.^7,6

Turnus claimed exclusive rights to kill Pallas, leading to a single combat where Pallas prayed to Heracles for aid.⁸ Pallas threw his lance at Turnus, but it glanced off the giant's body.⁸ Slain by Turnus, Pallas died by an ill-fated destiny despite possessing virtue, having nearly defeated his foe had his age been fully ripe.^6,9,1 Turnus stripped the gold belt from Pallas' body as a trophy of victory.⁸

Comrades carried Pallas's body home on a shield with a mournful song, placing it on a litter of osiers and sapling oaks.^8,10 Aeneas ordered the body transported to Evander's town and instructed warriors to give gifts of honor and farewell.⁹ Lying on a pillow, Pallas's head appeared cold and pale, while his smooth young breast displayed the gaping wound from the spear.¹⁰ Aeneas placed a scarlet and gold robe over the body, veiled the hair with another, and heaped spoils of war from Laurentum upon him.¹⁰ He sacrificed four captives to the shades of Pallas and Evander, declaring Pallas blessed forever.^11,10 The Arcadian men named their hill city Pallanteum in honor of Pallas, and the people of his line make incessant war against the Latins.¹²