Flight from Troy

Sorrow, unspeakable sorrow. This is how I describe it.

I dreamt of Hector, entrusting in me the cities holy things and telling me to flee. To seek a new city them once I have roved the seas with my comrades.

Awaking I found trot burning. The treacherous greeks having hide away in the wooden horse. I dived into the fight for the city but many of my companions were killed. I found myself outside Priams palace which I entered by a secret passage. From hear I saw the death of Priam and realized the full horror of what had become of my home. 

I thought of my family. My father Anchises, my wife Creusa and son Ascanius. How I must make sure they are safe. But at that moment I laid eyes on Helen. I felt fire in my soul, my rage ablaze to avenge my fallen country. All this was her fault, Priam put to sward and troy up in flames. I was swept away with rage.

Suddenly my mother, her pure radiance, was standing before me. Venus, the most beautiful of all the gods. Calming my fury she told me to find and make safe my family. Telling me not to blame Helen but the Immortal gods. She lifted the mist from my mortal sight and I saw the gods at work destroying Troy and giving strength to the Greeks. 

Troy was lost. Topple and in embers. I rushed to my father’s house so as to escape with my family. My father refused to leave and go in exile. I rushed to my weapons, desperate to die with my home myself. But then, as my wife begged me not to leave two omens appeared.  Flames burst out of my sons head but did not burn him. My father prayed for confirmation of this sign from the gods, and suddenly a shooting star flashes overhead.

We then escaped from troy, my father carrying out house gods as I was unclean from war and slaughter. My father in my back and son holding my hand. As we reached safety I realized my wife was missing. In despair retraced me steps. I even dared to yell her name, overcome with grief. Then I came upon her ghost and all hope within me died.  She comforted me through my anguish and then told me of my exile. I would wander until I came to the land Tiber river flows. There he will get a new kingdom – and a new wife.

I returned to my family to discover that many refugees have gathered and we set off for the mountains.  This is the story of the fall of my city and of my escape. It has been really hard to write, I have had to stop and start many times. I will keep posting about my journey until I find my home.

 Sorrow, unspeakable sorrow.