The Aeneid is Virgil's masterpiece. His epic poem recounts the story of Rome's legendary origins from the ashes of Troy and proclaims her destiny of world dominion. This optimistic vision is accompanied by an undertow of sadness at the price that must be paid in human suffering to secure Romes future greatness. The tension between the public voice of celebration and the tragic private voice is given full expression both in the doomed love of Dido...