Robert Fitzgerald's magnificent translation of Virgil's epic poem was a major literary event at its release in 1983; today it is an acknowledged masterpiece. Profoundly poetic yet gloriously accessible, this is the best way to experience a work that has remained a centerpiece of Western civilization for 2,000 years.
Fitzgerald's rendering speaks directly to the modern listener, inviting us to share the excitement, adventure, and human tears as Aeneas, the warrior hero, escapes from the burning city of Troy, embarks on a long and perilous journey, and eventually, triumphantly establishes a new nation: Rome.
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"So I was forced to read this for school and I actually mostly enjoyed it. It wasn't like it was impossible to put down but it wasn't too hard to pick up either. I could put in each chapter summary I had to do for class, but that would just give away the whole story and there would be no point in you reading it. If you like classics this is definitely worth it. If you like crazy monsters this is definitely worth it. If you like battles the second half is definitely worth it."
— Denise (4 out of 5 stars)
" Woo Virigil :) haha. Read this for my classics a level and I suppose a lot of people would prefer it to be a more elongated version of book four, but there are so many ideas and themes, and it's dripping with contemporary allusions, which are great for the history stuff, anyway, yeah, Turnus and Dido are two tragic characters, and the view on fate is a nice difference to ol' Homer "
— Imogen, 2/17/2014" This was very interesting - a lot of war and graphic imagery. I really liked it. "
— Samantha, 2/13/2014" Although it is an enjoyable story, The Aeneid is more than a tale of heroic deeds and destiny. Anyone who thinks Virgil is simply ripping off Homer, is not getting the point! This book is full of hidden treasures. Also, this translation is fantastic! Read it slowly and savor it. "
— Kenzie, 1/30/2014" I actually enjoyed this book. It's easier to read than The Iliad (for me). "
— Jana, 1/25/2014" Read it for college. I understand it's important, but this isn't most people's idea of a sit-down-and-read-it-all novel. "
— Peregrine, 1/7/2014" Not sure why, but I just wasn't enjoying listening to this one. Odd for something that's supposed to be read aloud! Maybe the narrator? "
— Emily, 1/5/2014" Ridiculously propoganda-like. Important for classical education! Includes the fall of Troy. "
— Jenny, 1/4/2014" A great read! Surely destined to become a classic. "
— Rebecca, 12/29/2013" dryden's verse translation is excellent "
— Anthony, 12/22/2013" It was alright - not as good as Homer's two epics. Very bland in comparison "
— Amanda, 11/29/2013" Loved Dido. But did the latter third have to be so bloody? "
— John, 11/27/2013" I am a sucker for Greek and Roman mythology and adventure. Virgil's imagery is some of the best. It is interesting to read how he tweaked the Odyssey to make a Roman version. "
— Alison, 10/4/2013" As a college professor teaching classical literature in translation, I bemoaned the lack of a competent, readable, accurate translation of Virgil's Aeneid. Fagles has supplied exactly what I needed. If I'd had access to this translation, half my students would have become classicists! :) "
— Florenceweinberg, 8/22/2013" I think I had a bad translation "
— Juliana, 4/10/2013" I wish I could read the full text Latin. Beautifully written. "
— Daniel, 1/19/2013" I laughed. I cried. It was better than Mein Kampf. I do wish I'd read the Fitzgerald translation, that guy's a rock star...poetically-speaking, of course. "
— Paul, 12/19/2012" Ok. Mostly long battle scenes so can be boring. Not as good as Homer. "
— Summer, 12/6/2012" This book is fine, but translator makes and uses new lines, instead of original ones that Vergilius made. I think this is coercive method for readers who reads and studies Latin-English comparatively. "
— C., 7/8/2012" Part of my greek and roman phaze. read when I was in my early teens "
— Kolan, 6/9/2012" "Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus aboris. Italiam, fato profugus, Laviniaque venit." Believe me, it's much more fun to read in english... And yes, I have that memorized. You know me, I'm a total nerd. "
— Maigen, 4/9/2012" A great translation of a profoundly complex poem that incorporates and subverts a breadth of Classical writing. I found it particularly engaging as an American, and it seems to be the great American epic just as often as it does the great Roman epic. It's extremely relatable to our zeitgeist. "
— Martin, 4/6/2012" This is a great book. The translation is very riveting and it was an exciting read. "
— Tg, 11/13/2011" I read this for and assignment in my AP latin course, in english its a little bit easier i must say, but if your commited anyone can feel something and connect with the characters, you just have to let your mind wonder a little thats all. "
— Kelsey, 10/9/2011" we had really great class discussions over this book... but i still didn't like reading it. "
— Hannah, 5/1/2011" One college book down, two to go. "
— Vicki, 4/13/2011" A classic. Naturally it is murder trying to get through this monster, but not as bad as Moby Dick. The only prerequisite is to enjoy the classics and long winded hyperbole. I would suggest the Odyssey as a warm up. "
— Joshua, 4/2/2011" Dude a guy kills another guy with a spear through a shield that's bigger than his entire body and ridiculously thick, like it spends a whole page describing how impenetrable this shield is and then the spear goes right through it.<br/><br/>This book is nuts. And it's awesome. Vergil rules. "
— Guy, 3/9/2011" This ancient epic starts a little slow, but just keep going through book 5 and you'll never put it down. "
— Robby, 3/2/2011" My favorite ancient text. Virgil's Latin is clear and beautiful, and the battle scenes are epic and gory (e.g.: the deaths of Pandarus and Turnus). "
— Andy, 2/27/2011" A great read! Surely destined to become a classic. "
— Rebecca, 2/20/2011Publius Vergilius Maro (70 BC–19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil in English, was a Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues (or Bucolics), the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid. He is traditionally ranked as one of Rome’s greatest poets. His Aeneid has been considered the national epic of ancient Rome from the time of its composition to the present day. He was born in a small village near Mantua in northern Italy and attended school at Cremona, Milan, and Rome, where he studied mathematics, medicine, and rhetoric. He devoted his life, from 30 to 19 BC, to the composition of The Aeneid, the national epic of Rome.