The Canon Library
Cover of The Aeneid

Ancient · Epic poetry

The Aeneid

by Virgil. A Trojan survivor journeys toward Italy and Rome’s destined future, balancing public duty against private loss.

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Date
29–19 BCE
Origin
Roman Empire
Era
Ancient
Genre
Epic poetry
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Long
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

EmpireDutySacrifice

Why it matters

A Trojan survivor journeys toward Italy and Rome’s destined future, balancing public duty against private loss.

This work is included in the collection on the basis of great books / bloom / harvard. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

Related works

Reading lists featuring The Aeneid

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.