Amazing!

We often encounter things that leave us in awe and wonder. These amazing moments can come in many forms. It could be a breathtaking natural景观 like a majestic mountain range or a beautiful sunset over the ocean.

Sometimes, it's the extraordinary achievements of humans that amaze us. Athletes breaking world records, scientists making ground-breaking discoveries, or artists creating masterpieces that touch our souls.

Even the simplest of things can be amazing if we look at them with a fresh perspective. A flower blooming in the spring, a child's innocent smile, or a kind gesture from a stranger.

These amazing moments have the power to inspire us, to make us believe in the impossible, and to remind us of the beauty and wonder that exists in the world around us. So, let's keep our eyes open and our hearts receptive to the amazing things that come our way.

Because you never know when the next amazing moment will occur and change our lives forever.

So many parts of this work were truly dull and extremely difficult to endure.

It seemed as if one had to wade through a quagmire of monotony and tedium.

However, then there were those remarkable parts, such as the last chapter.

This chapter was simply amazing.

It was filled to the brim with intense emotions, as if it had been brought back to life after all these years since it was written.

The words seemed to dance on the page, captivating the reader and pulling them in with an irresistible force.

It was a stark contrast to the previous parts that had left the reader feeling drained and uninterested.

But with this final chapter, it was as if a new light had been shone, breathing new life into the entire piece and leaving the reader with a sense of wonder and satisfaction.

The Aeneid is an epic poem that has captivated readers for centuries. It tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero, and his journey to found the city of Rome.

The poem is filled with adventure, romance, and tragedy. Aeneas faces many challenges and obstacles on his journey, including battles with fierce enemies and the wrath of the gods.

Despite these difficulties, he remains determined to fulfill his destiny and establish a new civilization.

The Aeneid is not only a great work of literature but also an important historical document. It provides insights into the values and beliefs of the ancient Romans and their understanding of the world around them.

Overall, the Aeneid is a masterpiece that continues to inspire and delight readers today.

This is a word to the general reader.

There are three distinct categories of people who read the Aeneid.

The first category consists of scholars. These are individuals such as English majors and literary critics. It's a relatively niche circle. They likely do take pleasure in reading Virgil, but their purpose in studying his works is entirely different from that of most people, and thus they have a unique perspective.

The second category we might call the Snobs. Here's a caricature to illustrate: Imagine a man who runs a hedge fund, perhaps named Zeus Capital, thinking it would convey an air of gravitas, but instead revealing his superficiality. At a dinner party, he circulates the room, his self-importance palpable with every step. He interrupts a conversation about good books. "Anyone read Homer? He's fine if all you're looking for is cheap thrills. Real scholars read Virgil," he declares, looking down his nose at those around him, trying to make them feel small, while believing himself to be impressive, completely oblivious to the fact that everyone else finds him obnoxious.

This is, of course, an exaggeration (in most cases anyway), but unfortunately, that pretentious connotation has seeped out and stained the reputation of anyone else reading the Aeneid. It's almost impossible to mention it without feeling the world roll its eyes in disdain, as if saying, "Oh boy, here we go. Something about the classics... Isn't this guy special?"

However, there really is a third category of readers, and they really do simply enjoy the book. Some people are drawn to murder mysteries, others to spy novels, some to biographies, and still others to science fiction. I, for one, get a kick out of the Aeneid. I appreciate the themes, Aeneas's unwavering sense of duty, his piety, his inner turmoil, and his resolute determination despite it. I also like Virgil's vivid imagery and the way the atmosphere changes completely from one book to the next. I enjoy the sense of perpetual upward movement he creates, even in the face of numerous setbacks.

So, if you've never read the Aeneid and are considering giving it a try, go ahead. If you find that you don't care for it, then stop. But don't avoid it just because you're not a scholar in the first category, and definitely don't stay away out of fear of being accused of being a snob in the second category (as long as you promise not to engage in virtue-signaling).

Another consideration is which translation to choose. I find Fagles to be the most readable. As should be evident by now, I'm no literary scholar, so my main concern was being immersed in the story rather than fretting over word choice or hexameter structure. For reference, I compared translations by Ahl, Dryden, Fitzgerald, Kline, Lombardo, and Mandelbaum. Of course, I didn't read all of these translations in their entirety. I simply selected a few passages and compared them. That's how I settled on Fagles.

Never, ever, would I have thought that I would enjoy epic poetry to such a great extent. Once I had completed this version, I did make an attempt to read another translation, but I didn't have much success. Thus, I attribute a significant portion of my enjoyment to the remarkable work of Robert Fagles. His translation makes the book truly come alive.

Having always had a passion for both Trojan and Roman history, I possess a basic knowledge of the names of the characters, including the gods and goddesses that play a crucial role in this captivating tale. I'm certain that it could still be enjoyed without prior knowledge of these elements, but having that information readily available made it much easier to follow the story.

I found myself highly amused by the blatant Roman propaganda that was so vividly displayed in the verses. Every now and then, I couldn't help but wonder if the general populace would actually fall for this, but I suppose that when you already believe that your emperor is a god, this couldn't really have been much of a stretch.

This poem was most definitely well worth the time and effort to read, and it might even persuade me to break my long-standing no re-reading rule sometime in the future. It has left a lasting impression on me and has truly opened my eyes to the beauty and power of epic poetry.

I really struggled with the Aeneid the first time I listened to it. I didn't truly "hear" it. I wonder if part of that was due to the presentation. I'm not sure. What I do know is that, as my friend said, it felt like Fan Fiction and state glorification, and it really annoyed me. I had started off okay, but I'll admit that I was offended on Dido's behalf, and that colored the rest of my perception. I had no sympathy for Aeneas at all.

I didn't like it.

I knew that was a problem. It couldn't have endured for over 2000 years and been so important in Western literature if that was all there was to it. It must have captured the imaginations of generations of people. Who am I to judge it? Also, I know that the Divine Comedy is next on my list, and Virgil (or Vergil) is an important character. How could I enjoy that when I disliked this so much?

So, I sought advice on the Literary Life Podcast Discussion Group on Facebook, and someone reminded me of Dr Elizabeth Vandiver's lectures on the Aeneid. We had listened to her Classical Mythology lectures last year and really enjoyed them. She is a clear lecturer and manages to convey a great deal of information in the short, 30-minute lectures. I bought them and started over.

It made all the difference. I've already explained in my review of those lectures how I alternated, so I won't repeat that here.

Part of my problem with the first reading, as I mentioned above, was that after Book 4, I had no sympathy for Aeneas. Dr Vandiver helped me to see more aspects of that. I still strongly identify with Dido and pity her deeply, but I can see from a broader perspective the thinking and the way fate held onto Aeneas (who handled things poorly) that he was more pitiful than I initially thought.

The lectures also helped me to distinguish Aeneas' descent into Hades from that of Odysseus. To view it with different eyes and to anticipate Dante's visit.

I think a second reading on its own might have helped, and I'm glad I did them close together, but I'm quite sure that Dr Vandiver's guidance made the biggest difference in my listening. The first time, I kind of dreaded starting each book; the second time, I had trouble stopping listening.

The Aeneid by Virgil is a significant work of literature. Published in 19 BCE and left unfinished, it tells the myth of how Rome was founded by a Trojan hero, Aeneas. The translation by Robert Fagles in 2006, with an introduction and notes by Bernard Knox, is presented in a 423-page paperback format (plus a 61-page glossary). I acquired it from Barnes & Noble in December 2015 and read it from Feb 6 - 18, giving it a rating of 4.

Despite the detailed account, I found myself with relatively little to say about the Aeneid. I was somewhat disappointed and finished reading it without much enthusiasm. Books 7 - 12, in particular, wore me out with a lot of boring fighting and little to look forward to. However, I'm glad I read it, especially book 6 which has had a significant impact throughout history. Book 4, which focuses on Dido's plight, is also notable as it has echoes in Ferrante's Neapolitan Quartet. While Dido's collapse was moving, I felt she was a weak character.

The Aeneid has its strengths and weaknesses. I liked the opening and its echo on closing, as well as chapters 1 - 3 and 4. Camilla is also a worthy mention. However, I didn't like Dido or Aeneas as characters, and chapters 5 and 7 - 12 were dull. The translation by Fagles is readable but not overly poetic, and the notes could have been more comprehensive. Overall, while the Aeneid is an important work, it didn't live up to my expectations.

Aeneis seems to have had a far rougher time after Troy than Ulysses. In fact, he goes to hell and back before legendarily founding Rome. I read his story in Latin in high school (Arma virumque cano!), and then later in English translation. Among the great Trojan texts, this was my least favorite. However, I still give it five stars for the realism and beauty of Virgil's text. Latin was rather inflexible, yet Virgil managed to coax such gorgeous text out of it. Moreover, this work has had an incredible influence on western literature ever since. Dante, in particular, was so impressed that he chose Virgil as his guide through Inferno and Purgatorio. (Even if, being a pagan, he ultimately barred him from Paradiso :().

Once you have read the Iliad and the Odyssey, you owe it to yourself to complete the Trojan aftermath with the Aeneid. It is a story that is rich in history, mythology, and human emotion. It shows the struggles and sacrifices that Aeneis had to make in order to fulfill his destiny. It also explores themes such as love, duty, and fate. The Aeneid is a classic work of literature that has stood the test of time and continues to be relevant today.

Aeneas endures the destruction of Troy and undertakes numerous adventures as he endeavors to establish a new homeland.

Similar to the heroes in Homer's Odyssey and Iliad, he encounters various challenges along the way. Distracting women, fantastic creatures and monsters, and a host of loyal friends like Pallas come into his life.

All the while, he engages in intense battles with his antagonists, such as Turnus and his followers. They fight for land, for the hand of Lavinia, and perhaps simply because it is in their nature.

Virgil does not hold back in vividly describing how and when someone meets their end and by whose hand. In fact, in some respects, I gained more knowledge about anatomy than through any other means.

Regrettably, I am unable to read Latin and have not perused other translations of Virgil's Aeneid, thus limiting my basis for comparison. Nevertheless, this translation fulfilled its intended purpose for me. The inclusion of a convenient glossary at the end was helpful in refreshing my memory regarding some of the characters from the Iliad.

Unfortunately, it took me more than half of the book to discover the glossary, so the initial portion demanded a mental chart larger than my capacity to sort out. However, everything ultimately came together, and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire literary journey.

Having just read this Masterpiece of Western Civilization, even in a translation in very questionable modern Greek of the '50s, it truly made me realize that I should be using the word "Epic" in describing other books far less frequently.

This work stands out in a way that no other has before. It is not just a story; it is an experience that takes the reader on a journey through time and space.

The characters are vividly drawn, and the plot is filled with excitement and adventure.

This is the first and only Epic I have ever read in my miserable life, and it has left an indelible mark on my soul.

I will forever cherish this reading experience and look forward to exploring more works of this caliber in the future.

It has opened my eyes to a whole new world of literature and has made me appreciate the power and beauty of the written word even more.

Rome was recommended to be written by Virgil by Emperor Augustus. It is the epic of Aeneas, the ancestor of the brothers Remus and Romulus, the founders of the Roman Empire. After the Trojan War, in order to find a homeland, it first arrives in Carthage and then finally in Italy. Just like the Trojan War, the role of mythological gods is very high. Jupiter, Juno, Mars, Apollo are at the forefront of them. It is recommended to read it after the Iliad.

The story of Aeneas is a significant part of Roman mythology and literature. It not only tells about the adventures and hardships of Aeneas but also reflects the values and ideals of the Roman people. Virgil's work, "The Aeneid," is considered one of the greatest epics in Western literature. It beautifully描绘s the journey of Aeneas and his followers, their encounters with various gods and goddesses, and their struggles to establish a new civilization in Italy.

Reading "The Aeneid" can provide readers with a deeper understanding of Roman culture, history, and mythology. It also offers insights into the human condition, such as the themes of love, duty, fate, and heroism. Moreover, Virgil's writing style is highly regarded for its elegance, vividness, and emotional power. Overall, "The Aeneid" is a must-read for anyone interested in ancient literature and the rich tapestry of Roman civilization.

"Discord is made perfect in the horror of war." This powerful statement encapsulates the true essence of the chaos and destruction that war brings. In the midst of war, the normal order of society is completely disrupted. Families are torn apart, friends become enemies, and communities are left in ruins. The horror of war not only causes physical harm but also inflicts deep emotional scars on the people involved.

War breeds hatred, mistrust, and division. It forces people to take sides and engage in violent conflict, often for reasons that are not fully understood. The resulting discord can lead to a breakdown in communication and cooperation, making it difficult to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

However, it is important to remember that war is not inevitable. There are always alternative ways to resolve disputes and differences. Through dialogue, negotiation, and compromise, it is possible to find common ground and build a more peaceful and harmonious world. We must strive to break the cycle of war and discord and work towards a future of peace and prosperity for all.