Written by Publius Vergilius Maro, commonly known as Virgil, the Aeneid is of the most important works of Latin literature. It tells the story the Trojan hero Aeneas after the Trojan War - of his flight from Troy, his wanderings across the Mediterranean and his arrival in Italy where he is destined to found Rome. With the story of his wanderings are interwoven praises of the Caesars and the glory of Rome.

The Aeneid is in twelve books, of which the first six describe the wanderings of Aeneas, and the last six his wars in Italy.

The poet Virgil was born at Andes, near Mantua, on October 15, 70 B. C., and died at Brundusium, on September 22, 19 B.C. He was educated at Cremona, Milan, Naples, and Rome. Later, he became a favourite of the emperor Augustus, and spent part of his time in Rome, near his patron, Maecenas, the emperor's minister. Virgil worked for eleven years on the Aeneid, and considered it incomplete at his death.

Presented here is the story of the Aeneid as available in English in the public domain.