Virgil: Aeneid VIII

Description

Book VIII of the Aeneid presents a crucial turning point in the mythological foundation of Rome, with clear political resonances for the future Augustan regime. Set on the verge of war between the Latins and Aeneas' Trojan forces, it describes Aeneas' visit to the future site of Rome, where he enlists the help of the Arcadian King Evander for the forthcoming war.In confirmation of the gods' support for Aeneas, his mother Venus presents her son with new armour, including a shield depicting key events in the future history of Rome. Their climax is Augustus' victory at Actium over the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. This new edition makes the Latin text accessible to students, with commentary notes providing ample linguistic help, explanation of difficult words and phrases, a glossary of grammatical and literary terminology, and a full list of vocabulary and proper names. The in-depth introduction sets the work in its literary and historical context, and provides an overview of Virgil's metrical and stylistic points.

Keith Maclennan was Head of Classics at Rugby School, UK, and is editor of books I, IV and VI of Virgil's Aeneid, also published by Bloomsbury. He is also author of Horace, a Poet for a New Age (2010), and co-editor of Plautus' Aulularia (2016).

Fills a gap in the set of Virgilian commentaries ... Maclennan's commentary is mainly addressed to students as a didactical tool and I can already say that it fully reaches the alleged purpose, thanks to a careful selection of information and a clear and plain language that does not fall into trivialization. * Classical Journal * [Maclennan has] provided a wide range of help both for students who are beginning their study of Virgil and for somewhat more experienced readers ... The author's judicious selection of help and guidance is manifest on every page. He is alert to the register and tone of words ... An excellent contribution to the series. * Classics for All * It combines astute and level-headed scholarship with a profound understanding of the difficulties likely to be encountered by its audience in a first meeting with Virgil's Latin. Maclennan long and highly distinguished career in Classics teaching makes him supremely qualified for the task, and he does not disappoint ... This is a sober, thorough and informative edition of Aeneid 8, which should find a well-deserved place on student reading lists for many years to come. * The Classical Review * [Maclenn's] discussion of Aeneas qua character is as rich as his consideration of Virgil's adaptation of traditional material is useful ... [Maclenn] is to be praised for offering useful observations on nearly every page. The edition will be helpful to students and useful to scholars for many years to come. * Exemplaria Classica *