Virgil, one of the most celebrated poets of ancient Rome, left behind a legacy that has shaped literature for more than two thousand years. Best known for his epic poemThe Aeneid, Virgil captured the imagination of emperors, scholars, and poets alike. Yet his life, especially his final days, is surrounded by historical fragments and mystery. His death not only ended the career of one of antiquity’s greatest writers but also gave rise to debates over what should become of his unfinished masterpiece. Understanding how Virgil died provides insight into the man behind the myth, and the Roman world that revered him.
Virgil’s Final Journey
A Literary Pilgrimage to Greece
Publius Vergilius Maro, better known as Virgil, was born in 70 BCE in a small village near Mantua, in northern Italy. As he rose to literary fame, he enjoyed the patronage of powerful Roman leaders, including Augustus Caesar. By the time he was composingThe Aeneid, Virgil had become the poet laureate of the Roman Empire, admired for his earlier works such as theEcloguesand theGeorgics.
In the final years of his life, around 19 BCE, Virgil undertook a journey to Greece. His purpose was twofold: to experience the lands that had inspired Homer’s epics and to revise and polishThe Aeneid, a work he had spent nearly a decade crafting. It was during this trip that his health took a turn for the worse.
Falling Ill in the East
Historical sources suggest that Virgil became seriously ill while in Greece, possibly in Athens or Megara. The nature of his illness is not clearly recorded, but many believe it may have been heatstroke, dysentery, or another form of infection contracted while traveling. Ancient travel was exhausting and dangerous, and long sea voyages exposed travelers to many health risks.
Recognizing the severity of his condition, Virgil began his return to Italy by ship. However, the journey was too much for his ailing body. He arrived in Brundisium (modern-day Brindisi) in southern Italy, where he died on September 21, 19 BCE.
The Circumstances of Virgil’s Death
Debate Over the Cause of Death
The exact cause of Virgil’s death remains uncertain. Ancient biographers such as Suetonius and Donatus offer few details beyond his falling ill in Greece and dying shortly after his return. Theories about his death include:
- Heatstroke: Some sources suggest that Virgil collapsed after walking under the intense Greek sun, possibly leading to heat exhaustion.
- Dysentery or Gastrointestinal Disease: Common among travelers in antiquity, such illnesses could have quickly become fatal in the absence of effective treatment.
- Malaria: A potential cause considering the climate and conditions of the Mediterranean region at the time.
Because of the lack of clear historical records, it’s difficult to confirm any single cause. Regardless of what killed him, Virgil’s death was untimely he was only 50 years old and had not completed the final revisions ofThe Aeneid.
His Final Request
Perhaps the most famous story surrounding Virgil’s death is his request to burnThe Aeneid. Believing the poem was incomplete and imperfect, Virgil reportedly asked that it be destroyed upon his death. This request reflected both his humility and high standards as an artist.
However, Augustus Caesar, who greatly valued the poem for its patriotic and political message, refused to allow its destruction. Instead, he ordered that it be published with minimal editing. Thus,The Aeneidsurvived and became Rome’s national epic, influencing countless generations of writers and thinkers.
Burial and Legacy
Burial in Naples
After his death in Brundisium, Virgil’s remains were transported to Naples, a city he loved. He was buried just outside the city, near the entrance to a tunnel known as the Crypta Neapolitana. His tomb became a site of pilgrimage for centuries. A Latin inscription attributed to his tomb reads:
Mantua me genuit, Calabri rapuere, tenet nunc
Parthenope: cecini pascua, rura, duces.
This translates to: Mantua gave me life, the Calabrians took it away, now Naples holds me: I sang of pastures, fields, and heroes.
Enduring Influence
Virgil’s death marked the end of the golden age of Latin literature. His writings, especiallyThe Aeneid, became central texts in Roman education and political ideology. In the Middle Ages, Dante Alighieri famously cast Virgil as his guide through Hell and Purgatory inThe Divine Comedy, symbolizing reason and classical wisdom.
Modern scholars continue to study Virgil not only for his poetic mastery but also for his insights into Roman culture, politics, and identity. His work captures the complexity of Rome’s transformation from republic to empire, and his death left behind a powerful artistic legacy.
Historical Context and Importance
The Role of Augustus
It’s important to understand Virgil’s relationship with Emperor Augustus. The emperor saw Virgil as more than a poet he was a cultural instrument for shaping Rome’s national identity.The Aeneidwas intended to be a Roman answer to Homer’s epics and to glorify Augustus’s lineage by tracing it back to the Trojan hero Aeneas.
Augustus’s decision to preserveThe Aeneidagainst Virgil’s final wishes highlights the political value of the poem. Had the emperor not intervened, literature and perhaps history might have lost one of its greatest works.
Unfinished but Immortal
Though Virgil consideredThe Aeneidincomplete, many scholars believe its raw quality adds to its depth. The occasional irregularities and abrupt transitions offer glimpses into Virgil’s evolving thoughts. It is also a reminder that even masterpieces can be imperfect and still attain timeless greatness.
Some passages bear marks of last-minute revisions or incomplete polishing. Still, the power of the narrative, the richness of the language, and the philosophical undertones of duty, fate, and sacrifice makeThe Aeneidone of the most important literary achievements in Western history.
The Death of a Roman Icon
Virgil died in 19 BCE after falling ill during a journey to Greece, likely from disease or exhaustion. His premature death left his great epic,The Aeneid, unfinished by his standards, prompting him to request its destruction. That request was denied by Augustus, ensuring the poem’s survival and solidifying Virgil’s place in literary history. Though he died relatively young, Virgil’s influence has endured for millennia. His words continue to echo through classrooms, political thought, and the enduring legacy of Roman culture. In the end, Virgil may have passed in silence, but his voice remains eternal.