The Aeneid - often mocked as a cheap Latin knock-off of Homer - is revealed in this episode to be a cleverly composed homage with its own purpose which, for a time, eclipsed Homer in popularity. Aven McMaster joins Alexandra to talk about the creation of the Aeneid, its content, and the crucial context of Virgil's understanding of Augustan Rome, which colours every line he wrote. If you've been hesitant to dive into the Aeneid, this is the perfect introduction you need before cracking open that book!

Aven recommends the following translations:

Scott McGill and Susannah Wright - available here in the UK and here in the US

Sarah Ruden - available here in the UK and here in the US

Shadi Bartsch - available here in the UK

Robert Fagles - available here in the UK and here in the US

Allen Mandelbaum - available here in the US

(the podcast receives a commission from every purchase made via these links, as well as supporting independent bookshops.)

Find out more about Aven's own podcast here.

A transcript and relevant images for this episode can be found here.

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