TURNUS

My name is Turnis. I’m the king of the Rutuli. My kingdom is situated on the coast of Latium and its capital is the city of Ardea. I am a fighting and courageous man, but a tragic fate has been reserved for me: my life is accompanied by omens of death.

It is said of me that I am “handsome”. I belong to an ancient and noble lineage and have asked Princess Lavinia, daughter of King Latinus and Queen Amata, to marry me.

Since Aeneas, the leader of the Trojans, has landed on the coast of Latium, the course of events is destined to change. King Latinus, against the wishes of his wife Amata, has decided to offer Lavinia’s hand in marriage to Aeneas for political reasons, hoping in this way to consolidate the alliance between Latins and Trojans. An act that has prompted me to start a terrible war against Aeneas and his people.

My impulsive and reckless temperament tends to become even more incisive and violent under the influence of the gods. One day, during a battle, spurred on by the goddess Juno – who had always been against the Trojans – I commit a bloody act, showing excessive ferocity.

In the course of the war I also kill Pallas, the young friend of Aeneas, who promised Evander to avenge the death of his only son. I know that I must ‘face Aeneas and suffer death’. We are against each other in the final duel that will decide the winner, the one to whom Lavinia will be given in marriage.

Aeneas is now close to victory and I beg him to spare my life. He hesitates, with his sword suspended, but then he notices that I am wearing the military belt of his young friend Pallas and his anger and passion take over. My rival decides to keep his promise to Evander, and death comes for me. Thus my destiny is fulfilled.

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