The Roman Poets of the Augustan Age: Virgil

"The Roman Poets of the Augustan Age: Virgil" by W. Y. Sellar is a historical and literary analysis written in the late 19th century. The book explores the influential works of Virgil and his contemporaries during a pivotal period of Roman literature marked by the transition from Republic to Empire. It examines the cultural, political, and social dynamics of the Augustan Age, highlighting how these factors shaped the literary output of poets like Virgil, Horace, and Ovid. The opening of the volume sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of the Augustan Age, which is defined by the establishment of imperial rule following the battle of Actium. It contextualizes the literary achievements of this era, linking them to the historical circumstances that influenced their creation. Sellar reveals how the poets of the time reacted to the political changes and the general longing for peace after years of civil strife. The chapter outlines the connections between poetry and the political landscape, discussing how poets like Virgil utilized their art in adaptive ways to reflect and shape the sentiments of their society, while also noting the shift in themes and styles from the preceding Republican literary traditions.