Virgil

Virgil, the son of a farmer, was born in Mantua, in Cisalpine Gaul, in 70 BC. He later went to Rome to study rhetoric, medicine, and astronomy, which he soon abandoned for philosophy. During this period began to write poetry.

In 44 BC Julius Caesar was assassinated. Mark Antony allied himself with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in a joint bid for power. However, they were challenged by Octavian. The three men met on an island in a river near Mutina and formed the Second Triumvirate. In doing so, they brought an end to Republican Rome.

Marcus Brutus and Gaius Cassius were defeated by Octavian and Mark Antony at the Battle of Philippi in October 42 BC. The victors paid off their soldiers with land expropriated from nearby areas. According to some sources, Virgil's family lost their estate when it was redistributed to the retired soldiers.

Virgil's financial problems ended when he accepted the patronage of Gaius Maecenas, a descendant of Etruscan and a close friend of Emperor Augustus. Over the next few years he completed three major works: the Eclogues, the Georgics and the Aeneid, a patriotic poem that deals with Rome's early history.

Virgil died in 19 BC at Brindisi while touring Greece with Emperor Augustus.

Primary Sources

(1) Virgil, Aeneid (c. 19 BC)

Let it be your work, Roman, to rule the peoples with your power - these shall be your arts: to impose the habit of peace, to spare the conquered and put down the proud.

(2) Virgil, Aeneid (c. 19 BC)

On this side Octavian leading the Italians into battle, with senate and people... with the great gods... On the other side, with barbaric wealth and multicoloured armour, Antony... with Egypt and the men of the East... and following (the shame of it) his Egyptian wife.

(3) Virgil, Aeneid (c. 19 BC)

Let it be your work, Roman, to rule the peoples with your power - these shall be your arts: to impose the habit of peace, to spare the conquered and put down the proud.

(4) Virgil, Georgics (c. 30 BC)

As when the chariots burst from the stalls and meet on the course, the driver, vainly seeking to hold back his team, is carried away by them and the chariot heeds not the reins.