Aeneid

This is the Dryden translation without the frills. It's about what you'd expect.

Brutal and beautiful. What an epic poem Virgil crafted. I can see why Dante, in a later era, essentially worshipped this poem and its poet and used much of it in his own epic masterpiece of poetry. I found much of Homer in this poem too, in the journey and divine hardships endured by the hero Aeneas. It reminded me heavily of Odysseus’ quest to return to Ithaca from fallen Troy. Aeneas’ quest was a similar one, beginning in the concluding fires of the same battle, and both were forced to endure the spiteful wrath of deities, but Virgil’s Aeneas and Homer’s Odysseus were on opposite sides in the Fall of Troy. I could write about Virgil’s “The Aeneid” for some time I think, so I’ll end the review here. This work was an inspiration, vividly descriptive, horrifyingly savage and violent, mythic and epic. It’ll stay with my always, much like the poetry of Dante and Homer.

Translations of Ancient Greek and Latin poetry into English poetry vary widely, and so it is important to find one that will work for you and to go on to read several others. Unfortunately, reviews for several translations get grouped together on a product's page. Some of the ones you read here are for Fitzgerald's translation, some for Fagles, and many for ones that aren't named. Here, I am reviewing the translation by Robert Fitzgerald. I love this book. Fitzgerald is a fine poet, and his translations capture the lofty language of ancient epic in modern English extremely well. However, as someone who has taught the Iliad, the Odyssey, and the Aeneid in high-school English classes for over 15 years, I wouldn't suggest starting with this translation. Stanley Lombardo's version serves that purpose much better (and is excellent in its own right). Translations by Sarah Ruden and Robert Fagles aren't far behind. I would recommend starting with Lombardo's and then moving onto Fitzgerald's. You may want to use the "Look Inside" feature on their Amazon pages to read a sample of each and judge for yourself before ordering. High-school students might need to start by reading a shorter version, as it is easy for them (and others) to get frustrated by the length of ancient epic and to get lost in language that is not clear to them. Then they're primed for reading a translation of the Aeneid. --Frank Hering Author of Virgil's Aeneid Retold for Young Adults

I liked the genealogy and maps, the cover faded a bit tho

Came speedy and was very high quality. Thank you!

When talking about canonized epics written in dead languages, you're talking about the quality of translation. Robert Fitzgerald's translation of Virgil's THE AENEID is a text that sings with expert cadence and rhythm. I marvel at the precision and time it must have taken Fitzgerald to cobble this together. I found myself underlining passages throughout my reading. Lines such as "Harsh repose oppressed his eyes, a sleep of iron, and in eternal night they closed" have a timelessness that reaches over centuries. The story itself is the postscript to the Trojan War, a sort of Life After Troy follow-up. The Trojans have been driven from Asia and are seeking a new homeland that providence has told them awaits in Italy among the Latium. It's the Roman Empire's origin story - replete with demigods, he-man bravery, and Olympic favoritism. (Reading in the twenty-first century, you can't help but crack a smile, knowing that Aeneas' forbears would one day, centuries later, find themselves returned to Turkey and surrounded by hostile forces as the Roman Empire makes its final stand). THE AENEID doesn't stray too far from the Homeric formula: fate vs. choice, gluttonous feasts, lots of battle porn, and a smattering of hysterical women. Reading THE AENEID, one can see its influence on later work. It calls to mind Shakespeare, Milton, and, yes, Dante. The beauty of the metaphors and the blockbuster pacing simply work. We're told reading Virgil is vital to understanding Western Literature. Robert Fitzgerald's translation shows us exactly why that is.

The origins of our Western tradition begins with the story of Troy. The Iliad is the basis of our knowledge and very few translators have attempted to give us an accurate rendering into English. First Pope, then some work by Fitzgerald and Lattimore and eventually a 90's best seller by Fagles. The Odyssey also became the focus of a Fagles translation and both were successful. (T. E. Lawrence, "Lawrence of Arabia" had been the most recent translator of the Odyssey for Oxford University). Now, the next sequence in important works of the West, The Aeneid, has been wonderfully updated by Fagles. This is a great addition to the basics of Western thought and I highly recommend all of them for the basis of understanding why we are what we are in a cultural way. After all, very few works comprise this tradition and all should be read by any person seeking the basis for what is basically all of our future philosophy. From here, we have Dante, which builds upon Virgil and Amazon.com offers the excellent current translation by Esolen on "The Divine Comedy' in a three volume work. Extensive notes are involved in all of these mentioned, and they will give you a well rounded education. The Aeneid is a nice one volume edition, with excellent references and notes and is well worth the price!

This story is as old as time but has not aged. A must read for those who seek historical knowledge.

Arrivato in condizioni perfette

Diseño absolutamente bonito, como es habitual en la línea clothbound. Lo he comprado tras dos muy buenas adaptaciones de La Iliada y La Odisea y en esta ocasión incluye incluso más detalles, como mapas y árboles genealógicos (si bien unas notas al pie no vendrían mal en ocasiones para no tener que tirar de wikipedia). La versión es traducida a inglés, evidentemente.

My daughter is very pleased with it.

A quality translated edition of the Aeneid, which maintains the integrity of the text.