Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil), 70 – 19 BC
Born: 15 October 70 BCE, Andes, Cisalpine Gaul
Died: 21 September 19 BCE, Brundisium, Italia
Virgil’s father could afford an extensive education for the man we know simply as Virgil, young Publius studied at Cremona, then Mediolanum (Milano), Roma (mathematics, medicine, and rhetoric)), and finally at Napoli. Virgil was identified as an “Alexandrian”, one of the poets inspired by third-century Greek poets. He became a Roman citizen in 49 BCE, in 42 his family property in Gaul was seized after the Roman victory at Philippi. Most of his writing career was spent on rustic poetry, but after Octavian came to power in 31 BCE and had been elevated to “Augustus” in 27 BCE he pressured Virgil to write the Aeneid, the complete epic of Roman history. At this time the emperor may have restored Virgil’s family estates to him, Virgil definitely received a house hear Napoli. In 19 BCE Virgil traveled to Athens but contracted a fever and died shortly after returning to the Italian peninsula. His executor was instructed to destroy the Aeneid but Octavian overruled that. There is a “Virgil’s tomb” near Napoli which is a minor pilgrimage site, although there is doubt that he was actually interred there.
Virgil quotes:
A fault is fostered by concealment.
Virgil
All our sweetest hours fly fastest.
Virgil
Arma virumque cano. (I sing of arms and a man.)
Virgil
As long as rivers shall run down to the sea, or shadows touch the mountain slopes, or stars graze in the vault of heaven, so long shall your honor, your name, your praises endure.
Virgil
As the twig is bent the tree inclines.
Virgil
Audacibus annue coeptis (Look with favor upon a bold beginning.)
Virgil
Audentis Fortuna iuvat. (Fortune favours the brave.)
Virgil
Better times perhaps await us who are now wretched.
Virgil
But meanwhile time flies; it flies never to be regained.
Virgil
Can heavenly breasts such stormy passions feel?
Virgil
Cantantes licet usque (minus via laedit) eamus. (Let us go singing as far as we go: the road will be less tedious.)
Virgil
Cease to think that the decrees of the gods can be changed by prayers.
Virgil
Cessi et sublato montes genitore petivi. (I departed and I sought mountains with my father on my back.)
Virgil
Come what may, all bad fortune is to be conquered by endurance.
Virgil
Confidence cannot find a place wherein to rest in safety.
Virgil
