Messapus, (Greek: Μέσσαπος,Messapos) a character inVirgil'sAeneid, appears in Books VII to XII of theLatinepic poem. He was a son ofNeptune, a famous tamer of horses, and king ofEtruria, known for being one "whom no one can fell by fire or steel" (Mandelbaum, VII.911-912).[1]
Although accustomed to peace, in Book VII Messapus joins forces withTurnus in his battle againstAeneas and theTrojans. Book VIII lists him as one of Turnus' chief captains, along withUfens andMezentius.
In Book IX, which recounts the nighttime raid byNisus and Euryalus on theRutulian camp, the battle helmet of Messapus is taken byEuryalus. Light reflected off the stolen helmet, betrayingEuryalus to his enemies and leading not only to his own death, but also that ofNisus.
Messapus fought in battle in Book X, killingClonius, andEricetes son ofLycaon. In Book XI, he led a cavalry charge alongsideCoras andCamilla.
Book XII again lists Messapus as one of the captains of the armies, described as "brilliant in gold and purple". He threw a spear atAeneas, taking the top off his helmet, and enraging him. At the height of the battle, Messapus andAtinas alone held the Rutulian line at the gates ofLaurentum. A truce was called for Turnus and Aeneas to fight in single combat, but the Rutulians break the truce. Messapus, eager to stop the duel, charged on horseback towardsEtruscan kingAulestes, who tripped and fell onto an altar and pleaded for his life. Messapus stabbed him with his spear, saying "He's had it, this nobler victim given to the mighty gods!"
Virgil adapted a myth fromGreek poetry to create Messapus, namely theGreek mythological figureCycnus, who was a son ofPoseidon. Virgil also "borrowed" the property ofinvulnerability from Cycnus and attributed it to Messapus.[2]
 | This article relating to an ancientRoman myth or legend is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |