THE WORKS OF VIRGIL

Publius Vergilius Maro, better known as Virgil, was a renowned Roman poet of the Augustan period. His most celebrated works include the Eclogues (or Bucolics), a collection of ten pastoral poems depicting the idyllic life of shepherds in the Roman countryside; the Georgics, a four-book treatise on the art and science of agriculture that explores the relationship between humans and the natural world; and the Aeneid, a twelve-book epic poem chronicling the journey of the Trojan hero Aeneas as he flees the fall of Troy and ultimately founds Rome.

The Aeneid, in particular, became a cornerstone of Roman national identity, providing a powerful origin story that connected the Romans to legendary heroes and Trojan ancestry, thus elevating their status and justifying their imperial ambitions. Virgil's poetry, admired for its beauty, elegance, and emotional depth, captivated Roman audiences and profoundly influenced Roman culture, permeating literature, art, and even religious beliefs.