Nisus and Euryalus are characters mentioned in Vergil's Aeneid. They are a prime example of the lover-beloved pederastic relationship common in the Greek world and being mentioned by a Roman poet. The sexual relationship between the two is not made clear, but there is obviously a deep emotional and quite possibly romantic connection between Nisus (the "lover") and the younger Euryalus (the "beloved"). Relationships such as this tended to follow the lines of a mentor-mentee relationship, and the poem shows many of the intended benefits as well as dangers of this. When the Trojans are holding funeral games for Aeneas' father, it is his love for Euryalus that drives Nisus to perform in the foot race. Euryalus and Nisus are unflinchingly loyal to one another, and go on a daring raid against the Latins while Aeneas is away. However, Euryalus' confidence gets the better of him and he is captured. In an example of Vergil's ability to create emotional situations, Nisus watches from a hiding spot as the Rutuli capture his beloved. Nisus tries in vain to distract the Rutuli, throwing spears and even announcing his presence, but he watches as Euryalus is killed by Volcens. After this, Nisus drives into the band of Rutuli and kills Volcens, and is cut down by the rest of the Rutuli.
