Virgil (70-19 BCE) was the preeminent poet of Augustan Rome, whose works redefined the Latin literary tradition. His magnum opus, the Aeneid, established a foundational national myth for Rome, linking its origins to the survivors of Troy. Beyond this epic, his Eclogues and Georgics showcased a mastery of pastoral and didactic verse. Revered for his technical precision and profound exploration of fate and duty, Virgil's influence endured through the Middle Ages, famously serving as Dante's guide in the Divine Comedy. About the Translator: John Dryden (1631-1700) was the foundational figure of Restoration literature and England's first official Poet Laureate. A master of the heroic couplet, he dominated the literary landscape as a playwright, satirist, and critic. His monumental translation of Virgil's The Aeneid is considered a pinnacle of English letters; by "making Virgil speak such English as he would himself have spoken," Dryden transformed the Roman epic into a vibrant, rhythmic masterpiece that remained the definitive version for centuries.