Aeneids

The Aeneid is an epic poem written in Latin by Virgil between 25 and 19 BC. It tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan who traveled to Italy after the fall of Troy and is destined to found the Roman race. The poem is divided into twelve books and is considered a national epic of ancient Rome.

The Aeneid begins with Aeneas and his men fleeing Troy after its destruction by the Greeks. They endure a perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea, facing storms, divine opposition, and encounters with various peoples. Their travels lead them to Carthage, where Aeneas falls in love with Queen Dido. However, Aeneas is compelled by the gods to continue his journey, leaving Dido to a tragic fate.

Upon reaching Italy, Aeneas faces further challenges, including a war with the local tribes, led by Turnus. The epic culminates in a fierce battle, where Aeneas ultimately defeats Turnus, fulfilling his destiny. The Aeneid explores themes of fate, duty, loyalty, and the founding of a new civilization. It served to legitimize the rule of Augustus Caesar by tracing his lineage back to the legendary hero Aeneas and the gods. Virgil's work drew inspiration from Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, but established its own unique narrative and mythological framework.