XIV. [1] And so once Turnus was killed Aeneas gained power over the state. Still, mindful of his wrath, he decided to continue harrassing the Rutuli in war. They begged and obtained the aid of Mezentius, king of the Agillaei, from Etruria, promising that if victory were the outcome for them, they would cede all the possessions of the Latins to Mezentius. [2] Then Aeneas, because he had weaker forces, gathered many things into the city which needed protection and established a camp close to Lavinium. He placed his son Euryleo in command of these matters. Aeneas himself, at the time chosen for battle, led forth his troops to take up formation in the area around a pool of standing water in the river Numicus. ³⁰ A very fierce battle began there. But the sky was darkened with sudden whirlwinds, and so much rain poured down, followed by thunder and fiery lightning flashes, that not only were everyone's eyes dazzled but also their very minds were bewildered. And even though there was a universal desire on both sides to interrupt the fighting, nonetheless Aeneas was taken away in the confusion of the sudden storm and was afterwards nowhere to be seen.

[3] There is a story, however, that he was close to the river and was unexpectedly pushed by chance and fell into the water; and that this is how the battle was interrupted; and later, it is believed, the clouds opened up and were scattered, his face shone serenely, and, still living, he was taken up into heaven. [4] And it is asserted that the same man was seen later on by Ascanius and certain others on the bank of the Numicus, with the clothes and gear that Aeneas wore into battle. This event confirmed the story of his becoming an immortal. And so a temple was consecrated to him in that place and he chose to be called "Father Indiges".³¹ [5] Then his son Ascanius (the same person as Euryleo) was declared by the judgment of all the Latins to be king.