Aeneid

When Publius Vergilius Maro- Virgil in common usage -was born in 70 B.C., the Roman Republic was in its last days. In 71 it had just finished suppressing the three-year-long revolt of the slave in Italy, who, organized by Spartacus, a gladiator, had defeated four Roman armies but were finally crushed by Marcus Craassus. Crassus celebrated his victory by crucifying six thousand captured slaves along the Appain Way, the road that ran south from Rome to the Bay of Naples and from there on to Brundisium.

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Aeneid Introduction

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     Why is Virgil is his known name when his real name, Vergilius is spelled with and "e"? That was random, but still think it strange. Virgil was born at the end of the Roman Republic, so it would make sense why he would want to write a book about how great his people were. He wanted a legacy to be left. Something to represent his culture like Homer had done. Virgil lived in a far from perfect world, which is why he could write well about problems in his character's lives. This information about Virgil really gives insight to where he was coming from.