Misenus

Misenus was a character in Virgil's epic poem the Aeneid, written between 29 and 19 BC/BCE.

Misenus was Aeneas' trumpeter and herald after Hector's death.

In Book VI, we learn Misenus challenged the gods to a musical contest. This is always, ALWAYS, a bad idea (see Pan, Marsyas). The instrument was the conch shell, and for his impudence Triton drowned him.

Atque illī Mīsēnum in lītore siccō,

ut vēnēre, vident indignā morte perēmptum,

Mīsēnum Aeolidēn, quō nōn praestantior alter

aere ciēre virōs Mārtemque accendere cantū.

Hectoris hic magnī fuerat comes, Hectora circum

et lituō pugnās īnsignis obībat et hastā.

postquam illum vītā victor spoliāvit Achillēs,

Dardaniō Aenēae sēsē fortissimus hērōs

addiderat socium, nōn īnferiōra secūtus.

Sed tum, forte cavā dum personat aequora conchā,

dēmēns, et cantū vocat in certāmina dīvōs,

aemulus exceptum Trītōn, sī crēdere dignum est,

inter saxa virum spūmōsā immerserat undā.

Thanks to the description of his funeral rites, we have valuable insight into Roman burial customs and the importance the Romans placed on respect for the dead. The respect for people who challenge gods, not so much.

External Links

• https://blogs.dickinson.edu/classicalstudies/tag/misenus/