Completed between 29 BC and 19 BC, The Aeneid is the greatest Roman poem of all time (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome). It tells the story throughout twelve books of the Trojan prince Aeneas. The author of this epic poem was not actually the one who completed it. It was Virgil’s (the author) colleagues Varius Rufus and Plotius Tucca who finished it on his behalf. The work is notable not only for the skill and nobility of the writing, but also for its unapologetic conception of the Romans as possessors of a divine destiny to rule the world (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome).
The story told in the Aeneid begins seven years after the fall of the city of Troy (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome). A prophet had told Aeneas that he destined to fight in a war in Italy to gain the right to marry (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome). He begs Sibyl, the prophet, for her help. Together they go to war. When they return, Aeneas meets a king and seeks the hand of his daughter (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome). Aeneas then fights a prince named Turnus. Aeneas defeats Turnus and is free to marry the princess (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome).
"Aeneid." The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. 204-205. World History in Context. Web. 29 Mar. 2014.
The story told in the Aeneid begins seven years after the fall of the city of Troy (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome). A prophet had told Aeneas that he destined to fight in a war in Italy to gain the right to marry (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome). He begs Sibyl, the prophet, for her help. Together they go to war. When they return, Aeneas meets a king and seeks the hand of his daughter (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome). Aeneas then fights a prince named Turnus. Aeneas defeats Turnus and is free to marry the princess (The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome).
"Aeneid." The Greenhaven Encyclopedia of Ancient Rome. Don Nardo. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. 204-205. World History in Context. Web. 29 Mar. 2014.