The theatre pictured above is at Pompeii. Perhaps Virgil's famous story of Aeneas was brought to life here and in other theatres in Italy.
Virgil, the famous ancient Roman poet, was born Publius Vergilius Maro at Andes, Italy, on the Ides of October in 70 B.C. Here is a mosaic of him...
Many people like to spell his name with an "e" as Vergil because that spelling is more like the Latin name, Vergilius.
Virgil spent his early life in Andes which is not far from Mantua. After he received the toga virilis at age 15, he went to Cremona to be educated. Then he went to Milan and Rome. Virgil first appeared to take an interest in law, but soon turned to philosophy and literature. He then returned to his father's farm in 51 B.C. where he continued his studies for the next ten years. After his father's farm was confiscated, he went back to Rome.
Virgil's first work of literature is known as the Eclogues, the ten short pastoral poems containing dialogues between shepherds, shepherdesses, and other rustic figures. This work attracted the attention of a patron of literature named Maecenas. Maecenas had so much interest and confidence in Virgil's poetry that he decided to introduce him to Octavian. The Ecolgues became very successful. However, Virgil preferred to remain apart from his admirers.
Virgil also wrote the Bucolics and the Georgics.
THE AENEID In 30 B.C., Virgil began to write this famous poem which occupied him for the remainder of his life. This long epic poem was written to glorify Rome and the Emperor Augustus at that time. Virgil used many sources to write this great poem, including the Iliad and the Odyssey. It is the story of Aeneas, Trojan hero who must leave Troy at the end of the Trojan War. He sets out with his father Anchises and his little son Ascanius. His wife was killed as they were trying to escape through the city of Troy. This is important, though, so he will be free to marry someone else and his descendants will be the founders of Rome.
Julius Caesar claimed descent from Aeneas whose mother was the goddess Venus.
Virgil spent about ten years writing this great epic. The story itself is complete, but he had not finished polishing the poetic style in which it was written. While making his way to Athens, he met Augustus who was returning to Rome from the East. Virgil decided to return with Augustus. While he was getting to a nearby town of Megera, he got sick under the blazing sun. He was put ashore at Brindisi; his condition became more serious and within a few days, Virgil died. He had asked Augustus to burn his manuscript of the Aeneid. Thank goodness that request was not carried out! It was September 21, 19 B.C.
Virgil was said to be a large person, but always in very bad health, for he commonly suffered from pain in his stomach, throat, and head.
Written by Ashley and Justin