Aeneid

See also Wikipedia's article about "Aeneid".

The Aeneid is an epic poem by Virgil, an ancient Roman writer. Typically the first book read during the second semester of Lit Hum, it describes the foundation of Rome as an outgrowth of the flight of one Aeneas from Troy, which had been destroyed by the Greeks (which you would remember had you read your Iliad). The Aeneid is thereafter somewhat like the Odyssey, but with politically strategic premonitions of the greatness of Augustus Caesar packed in here or there. Lovebirds will want to turn directly to tear-jerking Book IV, in which Aeneas is forced by his duty to found Rome and get Virgil wealthy to leave the port of Carthage and his lover, Carthage's queen (and pop sensation) Dido.