Aeneas

Aeneas (pronounced ee-NEE-us) is a legendary figure in early Roman history and the protagonist of Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid. He is often considered a Trojan hero, son of the goddess Venus (Aphrodite in Greek mythology) and the mortal Anchises. Aeneas is best known for his role in fleeing Troy after its fall to the Greeks and his subsequent journey to Italy, where he became the ancestor of the Romans. In Hebrew, Aeneas is transliterated as אנייאס. In Greek, he is known as Αινείας (Aineías). The story of Aeneas is crucial to Roman mythology and literature, as it provides a legendary backdrop to the founding of Rome and connects the Romans to the Trojan War. His journey, filled with trials and tribulations, mirrors the Odyssey of Homer and serves as a foundational narrative for Roman identity and culture.