Aeneas

Aeneas, the famous Trojan hero, son of Anchises? and Aphrodite, one of the most important figures in Greek and Roman legendary history. In Homer's stories, he is represented as the chief bulwark of the Trojans next to Hector, and the favourite of the gods, who frequently interpose to save him from danger (Iliad, v. 311). The legend states that he remained in the country after the fall of Troy, and founded a new kingdom (Iliad, xx. 308).

Aeneas was also the primary character in Virgil's epic poem, [The Aeneid]?. According to the mythology outlined by the Aeneid, Romulus? and Remus? were both descendents of Aeneas (through their mother, their father was Mars, the god of war), and thus Aeneas was responsible for founding the Roman people.

The Julian family of Rome, whose most famous member was Julius Caesar, traced their lineage to Aeneas's son Iulus.