Fate says that Aeneas has to marry a native Italian bride and found a new race
the Sibyl predicted this
that there will be much bloodshed first
the Italians, themselves, are already on the brink of war when he arrives
those who want to prevent Mezentius from imposing his tyrannical rule are pleased to have a strong ally in the Trojans
Latinus, the Laurentine king, has reigned peacefully for many years
he is the son of the god, Faunus, and grandson of Saturn
he, like Aeneas, has sen his child's hair catch fire in a divine communication, and has received a prophecy about marriage with a stranger
when Aeneas arrives, Latinus offers xenia and is ready to give him Lavinia as his bride
there is a building with 100 columns on the highest point of the city
in the courtyard, the image of two-faced Janus; Latinus' grandfather wearing a toga
Pallanteum, the city of Evander, is on the site of the future Rome
Aeneas is shown sites which will, in the future, be familiar landmarks
the people share the traditional Roman values which Augustus is trying to promote
book 7 - catalogue of all the tribes which are fighting against Aeneas
the people are described variously as showering acorns of blue lead from slings, using boomerang-type weapons or half-moon bronze shields, and wearing tawny caps made from the hides of wolves, a boot on just the right foot or cork oak helmets
some have special skills, such as the priest who could charm snakes
some have interesting backgrounds, like Virbius, the son of Hippolytus, and Camilla, the warrior maiden and leader of the Volsci
the names of the places they come from were established towns in Augustan times
Tibur, Praeneste and Nomentum would be familiar to Virgil's audience
there would have been some sort of patriotic thrill to hear your home town in a great epic