Interesting Facts

• Lucus was the king of Sardunia.
• He was the brother of Angeas, the king of Africa.
• Lucus had a son named Niblos.
• He allied with his brother Angeas to fight against Turnus, the king of Bibentu.
• Lucus’s entire army fell in the battle against Turnus in the valley of Canopia, and his son Niblos also perished.
• After the battle, Lucus commanded his servants to make a coffin of brass for Niblos and built a high tower over his grave.
• Angeas sent to Lucus for assistance in battling Zepho and the children of Chittim.
• Lucus came with his whole army to assist Angeas in the fight against Zepho.
• Lucus and Angeas fought against Zepho, but Zepho prevailed.
• Lucus retreated with Angeas back to Africa after being defeated by Zepho.

Genealogy

• Lucus was the brother of Angeas, the king of Africa.
• He was the father of Niblos, who served as captain of Lucus’s host during the battle against Turnus. The sources do not mention Lucus having any other children or a wife.

Historical Context

Lucus reigned as king of Sardunia during a period of conflict and alliance-building. The primary historical context presented in the sources involves the rivalry between Angeas of Africa and Turnus of Bibentu over Jania, which drew Lucus into the conflict as Angeas’s brother and ally. The power dynamics between these kingdoms, as well as the land of Chittim, are evident in their interactions. Later, the rise of Zepho in Chittim and his confrontations with Angeas also involved Lucus, highlighting the shifting geopolitical landscape of the region and the interconnectedness of these powers. The value placed on familial bonds is apparent in the alliance between Angeas and Lucus. The practice of honoring the dead with elaborate burials and monuments, as seen in the case of Niblos, reflects the cultural norms of the time.

Narrative

Lucus’s personal story is intertwined with the actions of his brother Angeas. He first appears when Angeas comes to Sardunia en route to confront Turnus. Upon Angeas’s request, Lucus agrees to make his son Niblos captain of their combined forces and joins Angeas in the battle against Turnus in the valley of Canopia. This battle proves disastrous for Lucus, as his entire army is defeated, and his son Niblos is killed. Despite this significant loss, Lucus demonstrates his devotion to his son by commanding an elaborate brass coffin be made and a high tower erected in his memory. Later in the narrative, when Angeas faces a new threat from Zepho and the children of Chittim, he again calls upon Lucus for aid. Showing continued loyalty, Lucus brings his entire army to assist Angeas. However, despite their combined strength, they are defeated by Zepho, and Lucus is forced to retreat with Angeas back to Africa. Lucus’s narrative portrays him as a loyal brother and a grieving father, consistently supporting Angeas in his conflicts, even in the face of significant personal loss and military defeat.