Interview with Aeneas

 In his first interview following his escape from Troy, Aeneas, hero of the Trojan people,  sat down with  the Weekly Warrior to address the general public with honest answers surrounding his reasoning for fleeing Troy, and other big questions.

WW: This is truly a gift from the gods, being able to speak with such an esteemed warrior as yourself, especially after everything that has happened between Greece and Troy.

A:  The pleasure is all mine, and yes, this is one of the many gifts from the gods.

WW: Speaking of, you were somehow able to make it out of Troy alive, and there has been speculation of divine intervention. Can you clear up any misconceptions about that?

A: Of course. Gods have always intervened in human affairs, sometimes with ill-timing. However, my mother Venus, in addition to providing me with guidance that every mother does, went above and beyond and helped lead me out of Troy, just after cajoling me to spare Helen’s life. 

WW: Why would you consider such an atrocity?

A: After losing Hector, and having seen Priam’s young son and Priam himself be murdered, I couldn’t bare the sight of her, knowing it was she who had been the catalyst for this devastating war.

WW: But Venus calmed you, how like her- she was always very compassionate. Were all the gods as nice as she was?

A: Pallas, actually, was quite the opposite. Sea serpents sent by her took the life of Lacoon, a good man, who tried to uncover the fraud that was the Trojan horse, in order to protect the people. A good man, only wanting to protect his people, and she had him and his sons killed- that truly is monstrous. The majority of the gods are cruel like her, with few exceptions.

WW: You seem to turn very bitter about the gods, surely they can’t be completely invidious?

A: The only thing that quells my distress is the fact that they can’t control fate. It is the only positive thing about the gods collectively – their inability to control fate. Fate, however, has been a dear friend to me. While fighting in Troy with my men, we disguised ourselves as Greeks, but my comrades were discovered and killed, while I got away. That just goes to show that it wasn’t my time. I had heard rumors about Pallas affecting the timing of poor Hector’s fate, which is just another sign that she is truly evil.

WW: Fate has always been a friend to you, it seems.

A: Yes, from escaping death in Troy, to starting fresh again, which I somewhat owe to Hector. Fate is something that calms my fears, knowing that nothing can take me away unless it is my time.

WW: Hector helped how?

A: In a dream before the battle at Troy, he told me of my fate to lead people to a new land where they can start over. My mother (Venus) must have had a hand in helping that play out, seeing as how she was my guide out of the city. Fundamentally, however, it was my fate to seek new opportunities elsewhere, but I was assisted along the way.

WW: This has been a truly eye opening discussion, Aeneas. I can’t thank you enough for clearing up some of the story, and letting us all know what has been going on with you and your mind lately. You’re truly a hero.

A: Thank you, and anytime. I just hope this clarifies things for the remainders of the city of Troy.