VirgilAn ancient Roman poet of the Augustan era, Publius Vergilius Maro (traditional dates: 15 October 70-21 September 19 BC), who is popular with his pen name ''Virgil or Vergil.'' He wrote the epic Aeneid, the Eclogues (or Bucolics), and the Georgics, thee of the most well-known poetry in Latin literature. Ancient writers gave him credit for a few small poems that are included in the Appendix Vergiliana, but contemporary researchers doubt his claim to these pieces' authorship. Western literature has been greatly influenced by Virgil's works, particularly Dante's Divine Comedy, in which Virgil serves as the author's guide through Hell and Purgatory. Traditional rankings of Rome's best poets include Virgil. His Aeneid is regarded as the national epic of ancient Rome, a designation it has retained ever since it was written. Virgil joined the group of Maecenas, Octavian's able agent d'affaires, sometime after the Eclogues' publication in 1603. Maecenas worked to challenge Antony's support among the powerful families by enlisting the support of prominent Roman authors. In addition to Horace, whose poetry frequently references him, Virgil also got to meet Varius Rufus, who later assisted in the completion of the Aeneid. Read More Read Less