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THE LATIN WAR

Panel 1 A small group of homeless Trojans long battered by travel with no possessions "but their swords and their boats" come at last after their long wandering to the good land of Italy and are thankful to be there. They are men very much in the classical mode though poor. Aeneas, their leader stands to the fore and surveys the wilderness. His power and charisma are apparent despite his poverty and the trials he has endured. He is tall, strong, and handsome: the son of the goddess Venus.

CAPTION After many travels and tragedies Aeneas, son of Venus, led the remnants of Troy to the land of Laurentum.

Panel 2 A great hall within a settlement of the Latin natives of the land. The Latins should be contrasted with the Trojans, and should look more like what we would consider barbarians. Their leader Latinus sits on a throne made of wood, leather and animal bone (a pair of elk antlers flairs out like wings) and looks disturbed as a messenger recounts news of the arrival of the strangers.

CAPTION When Latinus, king of the native people, learned of the Trojan's arrival he was concerned.

Panel 3 A battle. The Trojans fight in an organized, regimented fashion much like the Romans who will be their descendants. The Latins fight in a howling mob. Both Latinus and Aeneas are prominent on their respective sides urging their men on and directing the battle.

CAPTION The Latins made war on the Trojans seeking to drive them back into the sea. For three days the battle raged.

Panel 4 Aeneas stands over the fallen Latinus ready to thrust his sword into the King's throat. Latinus raises his hand in a gesture for mercy.

CAPTION At the last it was Aeneas' victory over the king that ended the fight. Latinus sued for mercy and offered his daughter to seal the pact.

PANEL 5 A prosperous but still crude settlement that incorporates both classical and barbarian elements. We can see the two cultures merging together as Latins and Trojans mingle, marry, and trade.

CAPTION The Trojans and the Latins became one people and built together Lavinium and for a short time Aeneas knew peace.