Quick overview
- Latin epic in twelve books, left unfinished in 19 BC
- Tells the story of Aeneas from Troy to Italy
- Translated into English verse by John Dryden in 1697
What is The Aeneid about?
The Aeneid is the national epic of ancient Rome. Virgil worked on it for the last ten years of his life and left it unfinished when he died in 19 BC. It tells how the Trojan prince Aeneas escapes the fall of Troy and leads the survivors to Italy, where his descendants will found Rome.
The first six books follow his wanderings: a storm, a love affair with Queen Dido of Carthage and a journey to the underworld. The last six describe the war in Italy against Turnus. This edition is John Dryden's translation in rhymed couplets, first published in 1697.
Read The Aeneid online
How to read it on a Kindle, Kobo or phone
Kindle: download the EPUB and send it with Amazon's Send to Kindle (web, app or email). Amazon converts it for your device. Kobo, Pocketbook, Apple Books and Google Play Books open the EPUB directly. The PDF keeps the page layout and suits printing or a large tablet.
Is The Aeneid free to download?
Yes. The Aeneid was first published in 19 BC, so it is in the US public domain. The work is ancient and the translator died in 1700, so it is free in the EU as well. This edition comes from Standard Ebooks, which releases its texts under CC0.
What is The Aeneid about?
It follows Aeneas, a Trojan prince, from the burning of Troy to Italy. He loves and leaves Queen Dido, visits the underworld and fights a war for the land where Rome will rise.
Who translated this edition of The Aeneid?
The English poet John Dryden. His translation in rhymed couplets was published in 1697 and stayed the standard English Aeneid for more than a century.
How many books are in The Aeneid?
Twelve. Books one to six cover the voyage from Troy, and books seven to twelve cover the war in Italy.
The OdysseyHomer
MetamorphosesOvid
BeowulfAnonymous
Paradise LostJohn Milton
The IliadHomer
Sir Gawain and the Green KnightAnonymous