MESSENUS. Misenus, son of Aeolus, was Hector's comrade in the Trojan War. During the war he blew his trumpet to signal the charge in battle. After Hector's death, he followed Aeneas to Italy. While Aeneas consulted the Cumean Sybil in the cave of Avernus, Misenus challenged Triton, Neptune's son, to a musical contest and lost. Triton then drowned him for his presumption (Aeneid II.239; VI.162-176).

Messenus, of whom Virgil speaks, appears with other trumpeters of battle charges, Joab and Theodamas, HF III.1243-1244. [Joab: Theodamas: Triton]

The name appears in final rhyming position, HF III.1243.