Vergil

In the center of the image, Turnus kneels in front of the altar and appears resigned to losing the combat. In the lower right, Camers [Camertes], who is Juturna in disguise, urges the Rutulians to break the treaty and defend Turnus from certain death at the hands of Aeneas (222-37). In the upper right, a large bird, which is supposed to be an eagle, chases several shore birds (247-9). In the upper left, the same eagle carries in its beak a swan, and all the shore birds attack it to save the swan (249-56). Below the birds, Tolumnius the augur points to the birds pursuing the eagle and urges the Rutulians to be like the shore birds, and attack the eagle, Aeneas, before he can harm the swan, Latinus (257-65). On the left, below the birds, a fight has broken out, and the armies are in turmoil (277-310). In the lower left corner, Aeneas sits on his horse with his head bared and his sword drawn and shouts to his men to stop fighting (311-7). An arrow lodged in his shoulder has injured him (318-23).

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 397r, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

In the upper right of the image, Venus, who should be Juno, stands next to Juturna, the goddess sister of Turnus, and tells her of Turnus's fate (134-60). Latinus rides in a chariot toward the ring wearing a crown made to look like the Sun (161-4). He makes a sign of blessing with his hand. Turnus rides in next to him, holding two spears (164-5). On the left, a priest sacrifices two boars (169-71). Below this, Aeneas raises his sword and swears an oath that he will abide by the terms of the combat, however fate decides the outcome (175-94). Latinus's raised hand may signify his own oath sworn after Aeneas's, but it is unclear, since he does not hold a sceptre (195-211).

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 395v, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

In the image, men build a fighting ring, a contemporary equivalent to Vergil's description of soldiers measuring out a field for the combat (116-7). The ring is placed directly outside the walls of the city.  In the middle of the ring, a priest holding fire in a bowl and standing near a pail of water prepares an altar for a joint sacrifice attended by both the Trojans and the Rutulians (117-20). Next to the priest, an attendant holds what appears to be a statuette of one of the gods shared by the two groups. In the upper right corner, a few Trojan soldiers and women stand to watch the rites, while in the top center, a few Latin townspeople watch from the city (121-33).

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 394v, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

In the foreground, Turnus prepares for the duel. On either side of him, his two charioteers prepare his two horses for the fight, and the charioteer on the right combs the mane of his horse (81-86). Between the horses, a servant helps Turnus put on his armor. The servant holds a shield and sword, and hands a helmet to Turnus, who holds a spear in his hand and a sword at his waist (87-94). In the upper left, Aeneas, who has heard the challenge given by Turnus, gives a messenger his answer and terms of peace to King Latinus, who stands in the upper right outside Laurentum awaiting the response (107-12).

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 393r, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

Amata, Turnus, Latinus and Lavinia stand before the city of Laurentum. Latinus, seated on a horse, looks toward Turnus with what appears to be a concerned expression. Through wear or erasure the upper portion of the horse and a bit of Latinus are gone. Turnus points toward Latinus and Lavinia, but appears to direct his attention toward Amata. Latinus has attempted to convince Turnus to abandon his foolish pride, explaining that, even if he defeats Aeneas, he still would not be able to marry Lavinia (18-44). When Turnus is still determined to kill Aeneas in a fight to the death (45-53), Queen Amata tearfully asks him to stop fighting the Trojans; she believes that if Aeneas kills Turnus, he will kill her, as well, or take her as a captive (54-63). Lavinia, who has been listening silently to the conversation, weeps and blushes at her mother's speech (64-9). Turnus is moved, but not persuaded to change his mind (70-80).

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 391r, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

Toward the middle of the image, Camilla has been hit in the chest with the spear thrown by Arruns [Arnus] (794-831). Arruns, to the right, has been hit in the chest by an arrow loosed by Opis, who stands at the top of the image framed by clouds (836-67). At the left and right edges of the image, Volscian and Rutulian soldiers flee the battle (868-75). In the upper left, people watch from the city. These are either soldiers who have fled the battlefield and locked themselves in the city (883-6) or women who mourn the death of Camilla. In the upper right corner, Turnus, who has received news of the dearth of Camilla, leads his men to the battlefield (896-902). Aeneas, shown here with Ascanius by his side, enters the field with his sword drawn, ready for battle (903-11).

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 387v, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

A battle breaks out between the Trojans and Etruscans, and the Latins, Rutulians, and Volscians. Camilla fights in the upper center of the image, among a crowd of warriors (648-52). In the upper right, Tarchon [Tarthon], holding his sword in one hand and the blade of a spear or sword in his other hand, charges toward Venulus [Vemilus] (741-58). From the left, Arruns [Aruns] charges toward Camilla, attacking her as she pursues another target (759-82). Raising his spear, Arruns prays to Apollo to hit his target (783-93). In the foreground, unlabeled warriors vie in battle.

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 385r, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

Turnus and his troops ride from the right of the image to a place outside the fortress, ready for battle (486-97). Camilla and her troops meet him (498-501), arriving from the left. The standard she carries has two crossed arrows, symbolizing her close relationship with the goddess Diana (532-86). Turnus asks her to meet the Trojan cavalry that are advancing in the field, so that he may face Aeneas (507-21). At the top of the image, the goddess Opis, who is part of Diana's retinue, points a bow and arrow at Aeneas, who is placed close to the troops of Camilla, but is not meant to be associated with them. The arrow is pointed at Aeneas because one of his men is destined to kill Camilla, and Diana intends for the perpetrator to die for his actions by the hand of Opis (587-96). The dog in the lower right corner would be appropriate in a hunt scene, but it is a bit out of place here.

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 383r, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

In the top left corner, Aeneas rides toward the battlefield (446). Below this, a messenger gives a message to Latinus that the Trojans approach the battlefield prepared for battle (447-50). A messenger would not usually carry this kind of message in a written form, but the presence of a letter in the messenger's hand helps to identify the figure. Latinus is visibly saddened by this news, because he still strongly desires peace (469-73). Behind Latinus, a Latin soldier arms for battle (453-4). In the center of the image, Amata has brought Lavinia and several mothers from the city to the temple of Pallas Athena, portrayed here as a small round temple. With the help of the women, she prays to the goddess to let Turnus kill Aeneas (477-85). The city walls are prominent in this image, emphasizing that all the actions take place within the city, and that all actions within the city are preparing to defend it.

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 381v, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.

Latinus has called an assembly of his closest advisers to decide what to do once they hear the envoy from Diomedes. The hall is stately, much more spacious than the halls of Dido. After hearing from Venulus the response given by Diomedes, which is that the Latins should make alliance with Aeneas (252-95), Latinus wishes to do so immediately (296-335). In a long-winded speech, Drances, on the left, agrees and further insists that Latinus give Lavinia to Aeneas (343-67). He argues that if Turnus insists on making war on Aeneas, Turnus should challenge Aeneas directly (368-75). Turnus, offended, defends his honor and argues that the defeat so far does not mean that the Latins should surrender, but that they should fight harder (376-445).

Woodcut illustration from the “Strasbourg Vergil,” edited by Sebastian Brant: Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera cum quinque vulgatis commentariis expolitissimisque figuris atque imaginibus nuper per Sebastianum Brant superadditis (Strasbourg: Johannis Grieninger, 1502), fol. 378r, executed by an anonymous engraver under the direction of Brant.