The Aeneid, an Epic Poem by Virgil

The Aeneid is an epic poem that tells the story of Prince Aenas of Troy It was supposedly written by the poet Virgil over two thousand years ago. The story starts with the fall of Troy and tells about Prince Aenas and the survivors of Troy.  It contains all their adventures on their way to Italy, where they established a new home.

It was written as a propaganda tale to justify Rome conquering other places. In the poem, Virgil presents Rome as a city that was entirely different from other cities and other civilizations. Even the trees were better. According to the Aeneid, Rome promoted fairness and loyalty. Rome did not force compliance over a conquered people. They were reasonable and caring. Their expansion goal was to help other cultures learn from the Romans a happier and more productive life. The Aeneid talked about the importance of family values. Aeneas was a hero because he wanted truth and justice, which was, according to the poem, the Roman way.

The poem did reawakened Roman pride in all things Roman by the Roman people, which was its purpose. In part, because of the popularity and reassurance of the Aeneid, Rome entered a period of calm called the Pax Romana. The Roman Republic had failed. It was the beginning of the Roman Empire. People were hopeful that things would improve. They wanted heroes. Virgil delivered.

Who was Virgil?

Pax Romana