Book IX - Idomeneus describes the founding of Salente, the cause of the war with the Mandurians, and his grief in finding Nestor (hero of the Trojan War) on the opposing side

Summary

Idomeneus tells Mentor about the occasion of the war with the Mandurians. He tells him that at his arrival this people had ceded to him that part of the coast of Hesperia where he had founded his city, and had themselves retired to the neighboring mountains; that some of them (having afterwards been ill used by a part of his men) had sent to him two old men, with whom he had settled articles of peace; that after an infraction of the treaty had been committed by some of his people who were unacquainted with it, the Mandurians immediately prepared for war. While Idomeneus proceeded with his narrative these Mandurians, who had been very quick in taking up arms, appeared all of a sudden before the gates of Salente. Nestor, Philoctetes, and Phalantus, who Idomeneus supposed would be neutral, were found to be in arms against him among the Mandurians. Mentor goes out from Salente all alone, to propose conditions of peace to the enemy.