Aeneas of Dardania was the son of the goddess Aphrodite and Prince Anchises, cousin of King Priam of Troy. Legend states Aphrodite appeared before Anchises as he was tending his cattle, seduced him, and bore him a son, Aeneas, whose care she entrusted to the nymphs of Mount Ida until Aenaes turned five, when he was returned to his dad.
As second cousin to Hector and Paris, Aeneas fought alongside the Trojans in their war against the Achaeans. Like the other heroes of Total War Saga: Troy, he features in Homer's Iliad - but Aeneas is also a key figure in Roman mythology. After fleeing Troy for Italy at the end of the Trojan war, Aeneas supposedly became the ancestor of the Romans as described in the Aeneid - an epic poem by the Roman poet Virgil and inspired by Homer's work, in just one of many examples of Romans ripping off Greek culture.
Throughout the Trojan war, Aeneas is a formidable warrior who is saved from death by the gods several times so that he can survive to fulfil his destiny. Thanks to his early instruction by the nymphs, he's able to read divine omens, allowing him to earn the favour of the gods. That's important, as attaining 300 favour with all gods is part of his Homeric victory condition.
On the flipside, Aeneas is also able to commune with the spirits of dead heroes to receive various buffs, which will insult the gods, so be cautious. If you dig all the fluffy mythological stuff underpinning the Iliad - and you do, obviously - Aeneas is a fun and flavourful campaign to play in which you'll engage more deeply with the gods than any other.
RELATED LINKS:
Total War Troy Sarpedon guide: start position, campaign mechanics, and unique units
Total War Troy Agamemnon guide: start position, campaign mechanics, and unique units
Total War Troy Paris guide: start position, campaign mechanics, and unique units