The Aeneid is an epic poem written by the Roman poet Virgil in the 1st century BC. It tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who, after the fall of Troy, travels to Italy to fulfill his destiny of founding the city of Rome. The poem begins with Aeneas and his fellow Trojans fleeing Troy after it has been sacked by the Greeks. They sail to the coast of North Africa, where they are welcomed by Dido, the queen of Carthage. Aeneas falls in love with Dido, but is forced to leave her when the gods command him to continue his journey. Aeneas and his crew then sail to Italy, where they face many obstacles, including a war with the native Latins. Eventually, Aeneas defeats the Latins and founds the city of Lavinium. He then marries the Latin princess Lavinia and they have a son, Ascanius. The poem ends with Aeneas' death and the ascension of Ascanius to the throne of Rome. The Aeneid is a celebration of the founding of Rome and the greatness of its people. It is also a meditation on the nature of fate and destiny, and the power of love and loyalty.
By Virgil · First published -29 · Genre: Epic Poetry, Classical Literature, Mythology · 13 chapters