Aeneas
Aeneas was a Trojan prince, son of Aphrodite, who survived Troy's fall and became the ancestor of Rome.
The Legend of Aeneas
Son of Aphrodite and the Trojan prince Anchises, Aeneas fought beside Hector and Paris in the defence of Troy. When Diomedes wounded him, Aphrodite and then Apollo shielded him from harm. After Troy fell, he carried his father through the flames, guided by omens from Zeus. His wanderings — past Delphi, Crete, the Sirens, and Carthage — mirrored those of Odysseus. The Romans claimed him as ancestor, and Virgil's Aeneid made him the bridge between fallen Troy and the founding of Rome.
Parents
Anchises and Aphrodite
Children
Ascanius/Iulus
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Julian dynasty claimed descent from Aeneas through Iulus, making Caesar and Augustus kin to Venus.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Anchises
🗡 heroLove, royalty, Troy
Trojan prince beloved by Aphrodite and father of Aeneas, the legendary founder of Rome
Cadmus
🗡 heroFounder of Thebes
Cadmus was the Phoenician prince who founded Thebes, sowed dragon's teeth, and brought the alphabet from Phoenicia to Greece.
Dolops
🗡 heroCombat, lineage
Trojan warrior and son of Lampus who fought bravely before falling at Troy
Sarpedon
🗡 heroNone recorded
Lycian prince and ally of Troy in the Trojan War, son of Zeus
Tlepolemos
🗡 heroRhodian leadership, Heracles heritage
Son of Heracles who led the Rhodian contingent at Troy and was killed by Sarpedon
Theseus
🗡 heroSlayer of the Minotaur, king of Athens
The hero who navigated the Labyrinth, slew the Minotaur, and became the legendary king of Athens. Theseus was considered Athens's national hero.
Perseus
🗡 heroSlayer of Medusa, founder of Mycenae
Perseus was the demigod son of Zeus and Danaë who slew Medusa, rescued Andromeda, and founded the great city of Mycenae.
Theseus
🗡 heroheroism
Athenian prince who entered the Cretan Labyrinth, killed the Minotaur with Ariadne's help, then abandoned her on Naxos.
Adrastus
🗡 heroKing who led the Seven Against Thebes
Adrastus was the only survivor of the Seven Against Thebes — he escaped on his divine horse Arion and later led the Epigoni to avenge their fathers.
Phaedimus
🗡 heroTrojan War, Minor Warriors
Son of Priam who fought at Troy and died defending the city in its final hours.
Antilochus
🗡 heroThe young warrior who died saving Nestor
The son of Nestor who died at Troy protecting his elderly father from Memnon — a sacrifice that moved Achilles to avenge him.
Sarpédon
🗡 heroSon of Zeus who died at Troy
Sarpedon was a son of Zeus and the greatest Lycian warrior at Troy — his death forced Zeus to confront the limits of even divine power.