The Eclogues And Georgics eBook

Written in the first century BCE by the Roman poet and farmer Virgil, these works are two of his three major written accomplishments. "Georgics" is primarily concerned with rural life, particularly farming, and its contents are most frequently described as didactic poetry. Though the happiness and frustrations of crops, vineyards, animal husbandry, and beekeeping are brought to life in Virgil's rich verse, this work also contains politics, reflective of the civil strife in Rome at the time, and powerful allegory. In the "Eclogues," there are a number of herdsmen speaking with each other and making songs. Virgil subtly blends the political turbulence of his time with mythical descriptions of an ideal Arcadia, revolutionary change, and erotic love. Through these two works, Virgil reveals his mastery of language, his creativity with description, and his keen political perception, which combined to give him a reputation as one of Rome's greatest poets.