His son, Pallas, is the "only source of joy" for the old man. Pallas' death cripples Evander, "I seek no joy in life", he pines, "that is not what the gods have willed" Similarly, Euryalus death in book IX evokes great sympathy from the audience. His beauty is highlighted at his introduction, "no lovelier youth ever put on Trojan armour," yet he is a mere boy. His death symbolises the 'waste' of war and his decapitation symbolises the barbarity and heartlessness of mankind, as they cannot refrain from 'deflowering' this young hero in the "bloom" of his youth. However, it is not just the followers of Aeneas who are addressed by Virgil in their bitter grief over loved ones. Even the dictator Mezentius is shown to be heartbroken at the loss of his son Lausus and Virgil makes it quite clear that he is impartial in supporting Trojan or Rutulian (possibly to avoid offending the ancient native people of Rome), "Never will it be my wish to be silent about you, Lausus," Virgil declares, directly addressing the character which, in the style of Homer, shows the poet's fondness for the character, "you are a warrior who does not deserve to be forgotten." Even Aeneas regrets killing the boy, "he (Aeneas) groaned from his heart in pity." Mezentius is so distraught that he attacks Aeneas in full knowledge that he will be slain. .
It is clear, then, that Virgil wishes to demonise war without even condoning conflict between opposing nations. Yet his own culture and the city of his Caesar were founded upon success in battle and Virgil therefore depicts war as a way for men to win glory for themselves and their families. Even the protagonist, Aeneas, advocates war, "What a punishment Turnus will endure at my hands." Here, Virgil pays tribute to Augustus who had defeated Marcus Antonius through feat of arms at the naval battle of Actium.