Publius Vergilius Maro

Andes -70 - Brindisi -19


Publius Vergilius Maro, known as Virgil, was born on October 15, 70 B.C.E., in Andes near Mantua. He was educated first in Cremona and Milan; he then took up his studies in rhetoric, medicine, and astronomy in Rome.
His interest was soon consumed by philosophy, and he joined the Epicurean circle around Siron. After the defeat of Brutus and Cassius in 42 B.C.E., much property was confiscated, including Virgil's property near Mantua. This was returned to him by the Emperor Octavian.
In the following years, he belonged to the circle gathered around the Roman writer Maecenas at Octavian's court. His works "Bucolica" and "Georgica" (37 until 29 B.C.E.) were produced during this time and were dedicated to his patron Maecenas.
After the title "Augustus" was bestowed upon Octavian by the Roman Senate, he pressed Virgil to compose an epic in praise of his rule. Work on the "Aeneid" began; claiming the author's attention until his death. Before finishing the work, Virgil died on September 21, 19 B.C.E. while returning from a stay in Brundisium in Greece.
The incomplete work was still published on the order of Augustus, against the wishes of the recently posthumous author. Publius Vergilius Maro is regarded today as the most important writer of Roman Antiquity.