The Aeneid

What It's About

This epic poem follows Aeneas, a Trojan prince who escapes the destruction of Troy and journeys across the Mediterranean in search of the land promised to him by fate. Along the way he faces storms, battles, loss, romance, and the interference of the gods before reaching Italy, where his descendants are destined to found the Roman people.

Key Concepts

Duty versus personal desire, destiny, sacrifice, leadership, war, exile, divine intervention, national identity, honour, and perseverance.

Why It Matters

One of the central works of classical literature, this poem shaped later Western writing for centuries and helped define Rome’s cultural origin story. Its influence can be seen in medieval, Renaissance, and modern literature, especially in works dealing with empire, heroism, and moral responsibility.

About the Author

Virgil was the greatest poet of Augustan Rome. Writing in the first century BCE, he became renowned for combining Greek literary traditions with Roman themes. His works include pastoral poetry, agricultural verse, and this national epic, which became a cornerstone of Latin education.

About This Edition

This English edition is translated by John Dryden, whose celebrated seventeenth-century rendering became one of the most influential versions in the language. It preserves the grandeur and formal style of the original while presenting it in heroic verse.