Discover a new way to read classics with Quick Read.
This Quick Read edition includes both the full text and a summary for each chapter.
- Reading time of the complete text: about 17 hours
- Reading time of the summarized text: 7 minutes
The Aeneid is a Latin epic poem written by Virgil, consisting of twelve books. The first six books tell the story of Aeneas' journey from Troy to Italy, while the second half describes the Trojans' victorious war against the Latins. The poem is widely regarded as Virgil's masterpiece and one of the greatest works of Latin literature. The Aeneid can be divided into halves based on the subject matter of the books. The poem explores themes of violence, conflict, and propaganda, and is seen as reflecting the political and social changes in Rome during the reign of Augustus Caesar. The Aeneid has had a significant influence on European literature, including works such as Beowulf, The Faerie Queene, and Milton's Paradise Lost. The poem has also been the subject of parodies and travesties. Despite the polished and complex nature of the Aeneid, the number of half-complete lines and the abrupt ending are generally seen as evidence that Virgil died before he could finish the work.