Works of Virgil

5RR Virgil, John Ring. London, 1820. In Two Volumes. Double Fore edge paintings

Notes

Virgil's The Works of Virgil is a collection of three major poems that have become foundational to Western literature. The most renowned of these is the Aeneid, an epic that spans twelve books and tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan prince who embarks on a long journey to Italy to establish what will eventually become the Roman Empire. The Aeneid blends myth and history, with themes of duty, fate, and sacrifice at its core, as Aeneas struggles to fulfill his destiny while grappling with personal loss and the burdens of leadership.

In addition to the Aeneid, Virgil wrote The Georgics, a four-book didactic poem focused on agricultural life. It offers practical advice on farming, animal husbandry, and crop cultivation, but it also delves into broader philosophical themes about labor, nature, and the human experience. The third part of his body of work, The Eclogues, consists of ten pastoral poems that depict the lives of shepherds and farmers, exploring themes of love, politics, and rural life in an idealized yet often bittersweet setting. Together, these works capture both the grandeur of Roman history and the personal, emotional reflections of Virgil, making him one of Rome’s greatest literary figures.

Description

Red leather binding with gilt decorative boarders on the upper and lower boards. Gilt embossed lettering and decorative elements along the spines as well. Gilt turn ins and beautiful fore edge paintings on both volumes. The painting on volume one is The ruined temple and volume two is the Temple of the Muses. Minimal bumping to the corners and some wear to the leather of the spine and extremities. Pristine interior. Very fine condition overall.