Virgil's Aeneid

David O. Ross is Emeritus Professor of Classics at the University of Michigan. He is author of Style and Tradition in Catullus (1969), Backgrounds to Augustan Poetry: Gallus, Elegy, and Rome (1975), and Virgil’s Elements: Physics and Poetry in the Georgics (1987).

“I believe that everyone—professional academic, student, or layperson—will benefit from Ross's lyrical and insightful reading of Vergil's great poem.” (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, March 2009) “The book says a great many things that need to be said, or said again. It does not seek controversy and avoids much that is easily available elsewhere. What it does say is largely familiar, even comfortable, but it is well said, clear, detailed, moderate.” (New England Classical Journal, February 2009)“Beautifully conceived and nuanced guide…the depth, sensitivity, and accessibility of the volume make it worthy companion to its predecessors. Ross explicates…with exquisite care and clarity.” (Choice)"The ideas and arguments presented in this work are thought provoking." (Journal of Classics Teaching)

• Preface viiIntroduction 11 Virgil’s Hero 11Three Scenes of Crisis 12The Hero and Personal Loss 18The Hero as Warrior (10.510–605) 24Some Observations on Character 262 The Victims 32Dido 32Nisus and Euryalus 35Pallas and Lausus 38Some Aspects of Turnus 43Camilla 52Italy 543 Fate and the Gods 61The Roman Gods 62The Gods in the Aeneid 67Fate in the Aeneid 744 Virgil’s Troy 77The Roman Troy 77The Destruction of Troy (Aeneid, Book II) 82Other Images of the Destruction of Troy (6.494–547, 1.450–93) 86Andromache’s Troy Restored (3.294–505) 90The Trojan Games (5.104–544) 94The Transformation of Troy (5.485–544) 100The lusus Troiae (5.545–603) 1025 Rome, the rerum imago 105Jupiter’s Revelation (1.254–96) 107Anchises’ Review (6.756–892) 109The Shield of Aeneas (8.626–728) 1136 Virgil, His Life and Works 120His Life and Times 120The Eclogues 125The Georgics 133Appendix: The Latin Hexameter 143Word Accent 143Verse Ictus 144Accent and Ictus 144Caesura and Diaeresis 145The Third-Foot Caesura 145The First Foot 146The Hexameter Line 147The Catullan Molossus 151General Index 153Index of Passages 155