Virgil (70 BC-19 BC), Roman poet. Virgil was one of the most famous poets of Ancient Rome, and his works have had a major influence on Western literature. These works include the Aeneid, an epic poem telling the legendary story of the founding of Rome. His other two major works were the Eclogues (or Bucolics) and Georgics. Both works are collections of poems with rural themes, but also containing commentary and expositions on human nature and contemporary politics. Virgil's full Roman name was Publius Vergilius Maro. This artwork, based on one in a manuscript held in the Vatican, is from 'Histoire des Romains' (1883).