The Aeneid | Virgil & David West

The Aeneid: Penguin Clothbound Classics

Extended Synopsis

In Virgil's monumental epic, The Aeneid, the Trojan hero Aeneas escapes the smoldering ruins of his city to embark on a perilous journey dictated by fate. Tasked with a divine mission to lay the foundations of the future Roman Empire, his voyage across the Mediterranean is fraught with immense challenges. From enduring the relentless wrath of Juno, Queen of the Gods, to navigating a tragic and historically defining romance with Dido, Queen of Carthage, and making a harrowing descent into the underworld, Aeneas is tested at every turn. It is an unsparing portrait of a man caught in the fundamental conflict between personal desire, civic duty, and the inescapable pull of destiny.

This specific Penguin Clothbound Classics edition presents the ancient masterpiece in a highly collectible physical volume, featuring bespoke, foil-stamped cover art by award-winning designer Coralie Bickford-Smith. Inside, readers are treated to David West's highly regarded translation, which captures the gravitas, humanity, and powerful narrative drive of Virgil's original Latin text. The epic redefines concepts of passion, nobility, and courage, making this volume a vibrant and essential addition to any library of classical antiquity.

Intended Audience

This premium edition is perfectly suited for students of classical literature, scholars of ancient Roman history and mythology, and literary collectors seeking the aesthetic quality of the Penguin Clothbound Classics series.

Author & Contributor Biographies

Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro, 70 BCE – 19 BCE) is universally recognized as one of the greatest Roman poets. His masterpiece, The Aeneid, became the foundational myth of the Roman Empire and remains a central pillar of the Western literary canon.

David West (Translator) was a distinguished classical scholar and Professor of Latin at Newcastle University, celebrated for his rigorous, accessible prose translations of Roman poetry.

Accolades & Recognition

• Globally recognized as the definitive literary achievement of ancient Rome and a foundational text of Western civilization.
• Part of the highly coveted Penguin Clothbound Classics series, renowned for its exquisite tactile design and foil-stamped illustrations by Coralie Bickford-Smith.

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