The Aeneid is an epic poem that chronicles the adventures of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who flees the ruins of Troy and embarks on a journey to establish a new homeland in Italy, laying the foundations for Rome. The poem intertwines themes of destiny and piety with the mythical origins of Rome - a celebration of its imperial ideals. In the Roman Empire, the Aeneid held a prestigious position as a national epic, aiming to promote Roman values and imperial legitimacy. The poem remains a central text in the canon of classical literature, history, and philosophy.
