Publius Vergilius Maro, commonly known as Virgil, was a towering figure in Roman literature, providing substantial works that have influenced Western thought and poetry for centuries. Born on October 15, 70 BCE, near Mantua in northern Italy, Virgil was educated in rhetoric and philosophy. His poetic career began with the 'Eclogues,' a collection of ten pastoral poems, which he likely published around 39-38 BCE. These were followed by the 'Georgics,' a work of four books praising agricultural life, published around 29 BCE. However, Virgil's magnum opus, the 'Aeneid,' for which he is most celebrated, was a national epic that sought to establish Rome's historical and mythological roots, weaving a tale around the Trojan hero Aeneas and the foundation of what would eventually become Rome. Although 'An Essay on Virgil's Aeneid' is often reflecting on Virgil's work rather than by Virgil himself, it signifies the ceaseless scholarly engagement his epic has engendered. His literary style is marked by its beauty, dignity, and richness; his Latin is considered exemplary, even in an age of literary masters. The profound influence of Virgil's work was recognized during his lifetime and has remained an unshakeable constant up to the present day. Dante, in his 'Divine Comedy,' immortalized Virgil as a symbol of human reason and as Dante's guide through Hell and Purgatory, showing the continued reverence for the master poet. Virgil died in 19 BCE, before he completed the final revisions of the 'Aeneid,' a testament to his commitment to his craft and his enduring legacy in the canon of classical literature.