ASCANIUS, the son of Aeneas and Creusa, succeeded his father in the kingdom of the Latins, and defeated Mezentius, king of the Tuscans, who had refused to conclude a peace with him. He migrated to Alba Longa, and here he was succeeded by his son Silvius. Some writers relate that Ascanius was also called Ilus or Iulus, whence the origin of the gens Julia at Rome, who regarded Ascanius or Iulus as their ancestor. Horace elegantly alludes to this in addressing Augustus:—
Micat inter omnes
Julium sidus, velut inter ignes
Luna minore. Carm. i. i. 12.