Gates Of War

Book VII – Italy: The Promised Land and the Outbreak of Wat

Reassured by this vision and the words of his father, Aeneas landed near the Tiber's mouth in Latium and, on the basis of the signs that had been foretold, he recognized the promised land…

He made a pact with the king of the Latins, Latinus, to guarantee the safe and peaceful future of both peoples
To celebrate this alliance, he offered Aeneas his daughter Lavinia in marriage… but goddess June burled her wrath against the sacred pact, stirring up discord and war.

First of all, she infected Queen Amata, Latinus' wife, with resentment at her husband's decision
Secondly, she sent the Fury Allecto, the demon of discord, to stir up the king of Rutulians, Turnus, who was betrothed to Latinus' daughter
The sacred pact was broken and the dynastic marriage, arranged between Aeneas and Lavinia, was called off… the gates of war were thrown open while Latinus couldn't do anything to avoid it.

So, a powerful coalition of Latin peoples marched on the Trojan camp, including the tyrant Mezentius and the Volscian warrior-maiden Camilla
The biggest army never seen from the times of Achilles and Hector…

***Gates of War (Muster of the Italian Forces)***

1. On the plain – look
To the sunshine burns
The shadow of mars returns
His altars arise
Here it comes – the time
To be brave is at hand
Shields, lances and swords
Twirl high in the air.

[Pre-chorus:]
Now the gates of war
Are forced by the Queen
Come down from the holy skies.

[Chorus:]
Day after day, remember this time
They are marching on to blood and tears
Day after day, remember this time
For the glory and life after death.

2. Holy muse, may my chant celebrate
Of these and ancient times
The heroes and kings
May I sing – keepers of memories
The greatest war never see
From Troy's times.

[Pre-chorus]

[Chorus]