The Aeneid

Name: The Aeneid
Author: Virgil

By Virgil

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About This Book

The epic follows a Trojan leader who, forced into exile by war and divine antagonism, leads survivors on a perilous voyage to Italy. Shipwrecks and wanderings bring encounters with foreign peoples, a passionate and ill-fated liaison with a Carthaginian queen, and a descent to the underworld that reveals fate’s scope. Back in Italy, alliances and pitched battles determine the establishment of a new community and a dynastic succession destined to found a future realm. Throughout, gods intervene and themes of duty, piety, fate, and the tension between private desire and public obligation shape events.

About the Author

Virgil

Virgil, a prominent Roman poet of the Augustan period, is best known for his epic work, "The Aeneid," which tells the legendary story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero and the mythical founder of Rome. His poetry is celebrated for its rich imagery, profound themes, and masterful use of the Latin language. In addition to "The Aeneid," Virgil wrote the "Georgics," a didactic poem on agriculture, and the "Eclogues," a collection of pastoral poems that reflect the beauty of rural life. His influence on Western literature is immense, shaping the epic tradition and inspiring countless writers throughout the centuries.