The Aeneid (Penguin Classics)

A must read for anyone interested in the classics

Following the Trojan war, Aeneas fled to what Magna Graecia became, Italy, and especially the founding of Rome.

The Aeneid is thoroughly enjoyable. In fact, it is the kind of book that might be described as swashbuckling. For those who have read The Iliad, Aeneid could be billed as The Iliad part two; an approximation of what happened to the Trojans after they took delivery of a giant wooden horse. The fall of Troy prompts the hero of the piece, Aeneas, to gather up those countrymen who have not fallen to Greek swords and inspire them to strike out to found a new Troy - this time probably employing more vigilant postroom staff to winkle out armies hidden in giant wooden animals - though not before the required beating of breast, tearing of hair and scratching of face that accompanies the many moments of sadness throughout the book. The bulk of the book relays the trails of the Trojan voyage. Following a tip from a benevolent God parent, handy if you could get one in those days, the homeless tribe bounce between Italy, Carthage and Sicily. However, some of the indigenous tribes are none too keen on outsiders pitching up, a truly ancient display of Nimbyism. The Trojans seem to have found happiness in Carthage. Queen Dido accepts the newcomers and falls in love with Aeneas. However, a quick 'it's not you, it's me' from the Trojan leader results in more beating of breasts by Dido. As the Blues Brothers found out, there are many dangers when you are on a mission from God. The final portion of the book captures a tumultuous battle between the indigenous Italian tribes and The Trojans. Aside from the battlefield action, the author weaves the story of the founding of Rome into the book - an excellent PR exercise from the author for his contemporary emperor. The Aeneid compares favourably with some of the other great classics, which can become too wordy and demand the reader have extensive knowledge of classical literature in order to connect literary references. There is no lack of detail in the book and characters show the usual honourable traits, weaknesses and senses of duty. The Gods play a huge and colourful part in the story, and are more human than in some similar books, if that is not a contradiction. The celestial family are prone to tantrums, deviousness and favouritism. That said, there is an underlying theme that those who remember to pay their respects at the altar will ultimately be rewarded. This book will suit those who enjoyed the Iliad or the battle tales of the Mahabharata, though knowledge of either is not essential. The Aeneid is a good entry level for classical literature. It contains an intoxicating mix of history, deity, tragedy and heroism told more in the style of those Sunday matinee Sinbad films. A swashbuckling read indeed.

Great for studies

Despite this page seemingly making every attempt to hide the fact (e.g. no picture of back cover; a review from The New Republic describing it as an "English poem", etc.), this is a prose translation. It's a very good, and even poetic, prose translation, but a prose translation nonetheless. Just a heads up.

Okay

I’ve always been dismissive of reviews that criticise the quality of a book. After all, it’s the content that matters, right? I bought this as a replacement for my 40 year old much loved and dog-eared copy since schooodays, thinking it would be a treat for my retirement as Robert Fagles’ Homeric translations for Penguin Classics had recently been. This copy has very cheap paper and cover, and a particularly nasty font on the spine and back cover blurb. This seems to be an emerging trend as recent other orders feature the same, and occasionally also a wispy faded print which I can only assume is a consequence of increasing electronicisation (is that a word?!) of the publishing process. Accompanying order of Sebag-Montefiore’s The Romanovs features much nicer quality all round. I can’t believe the Aeneid is so popular that demand requires cheapening of the process to fulfil all the orders to cost. More likely the other way round. Sorry Penguin, I’ll be buying the Oxford World Classics editions from now on.

This is a wonderful translation of Virgil’s Aeneid by David West, which also contains a fabulous Introduction. I couldn’t have wished for a better version. Highly recommended. I hope you find my review helpful.

A subject I loved...

Book received in excellent condition.

Even though Virgil's The Aeneid (c. 29 BCE-19 BCE) was written c. 700 years after The Iliad c. (725 BCE), Virgil picks up the story of Aeneas after the fall of Troy as if it just happened. Aeneas leaves with his father, son, and a small contingent of Trojans after the Greeks slaughtered everyone in Troy and destroyed the city, and they sail away. The gods give Aeneas a mission to find a land which he can call home. That land with eventually be Rome. Virgil's The Aeneid, while a well written story with a lot of action and wars, was actually a piece of propaganda commissioned by the first emperor Augustus to glorify his reign and to promote the values of Rome after Julius Caesar. It is a good read, though. Aeneas shows the embodiment of piety, duty, and honor, all of which would become Rome's ideals. He make mistakes by falling in love with Dido and breaking her heart by leaving. He travels to the Underworld and tries to apologize to her by saying it was his fate and the god's will. She turns away. Calypso, however, give him good advice on how to avoid mistakes while sailing. Eventually, he makes it Latium, which will become Rome, where he fights several battles. It shows that Rome has a long history that starts with Aeneas.

A wonderful read with philosophy poetry and humanity combining to create great art. Little wonder that Dante revered Virgil and considered him more than a father

Sublime eloquence