Definition: Publius Vergilius Maro or Virgil (October 15, 70 to September 21, 19 B.C.) was one of if not the greatest ancient Roman poet. Other contenders for greatest Roman poet are Horace and Ovid.
Virgil is believed to have been born in Cisalpine Gaul and to have spent his childhood in Cremona. He went to Rome for his education. There Virgil studied under an Epicurean philosopher, although he later exhibited Stoic sentiments. Virgil became part of the literary circle around Maecenas, a patron of the arts and minister of Octavian (Emperor Augustus Caesar).
Virgil died of a fever at Brundisium.
Virgil's masterpiece is the Aeneid, started on 30 B.C. and still unfinished at his death, but he also wrote other major poems, the Eclogues (42-37 B.C.) and Georgics (37-30 B.C.), and smaller poems. Spurious works attributed to Virgil may be found in the Appendix Vergiliana.
Also Known As: Vergil, Vergilius
Examples:
Based on his actual name, Vergilius, we should call Virgil "Vergil," following the standard English practice of dropping the Latin ending: Vergilius - "ius" ending = Vergil. The spelling of his name as "Virgil" has a long tradition, but Vergil is common.