The Aeneid of Virgil

By: Elizabeth Vandiver, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Elizabeth Vandiver

Length: 6 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Aeneid is the great national epic of ancient Rome, and one of the most important works of literature ever written. And with Professor Vandiver's twelve instructive lectures, you'll enter fully into the gripping tale that Virgil tells. Join Aeneas on his long journey west from ruined Troy to the founding of a new nation in Italy, and see how he weaves a rich network of compelling human themes. Your encounter with the Aeneid focuses on careful, detailed examinations of the epic's background, main themes, and significant episodes. You'll get a helpful introduction to Virgil's Latin epic and the mythic and literary background with which Virgil was working (including an insightful summary of the legends of the Trojan War and of Romulus and Remus). From there, you'll dive into the poem itself with lectures that, in their clarity, economy, and enthusiasm, you're sure to find illuminating and thoroughly engaging.

Throughout it all, the figure of Aeneas is never far from center stage- as fighter and lover, father and son, refugee and ruler, wanderer and founder, spellbinding storyteller, and sword-wielding man of action.

Whether you read the narrative of his adventures as a paean to the glories of Rome or a cautionary tale about the human costs of empire, by the end of these lectures you'll come to understand precisely why Tennyson called Virgil a lord of language, and lauded his special gift for golden phrase.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©1999 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)1999 The Great Courses

Consider this preparatory material

Prof Vandiver is amazing. She is obviously very enthusiastic about the material and she takes her audience on a journey. I very much enjoyed listening to this course and I'd consider it as a preparation for actually reading this classic work, which otherwise I might have found inaccessible. As others have pointed out, she does spend a lot of time summarising the plot although before beginning the lecture proper, she spends a couple of lectures on the historical background. She also draws attention to important themes and controversial questions and the last two chapters are devoted to such a discussion.

So to summarise, if you have already read the Aeneid, you could miss this course without missing much. If you intend to read or listen to the epic, then these lectures would be very helpful for understanding the plot as well as appreciating the subtleties.

Too focused on plot

As another reviewer commented, the author focuses most attention on summarizing the plot, chapter by chapter. I listened to these lectures while I read the Fagles translation. I was able to follow the plot in the text. I was hoping the lecture would provide more in depth background material. But while not perfect, the combination of Fagles plus this lecture was good.

Don't listen to the haters

This is an excellent series of lectures. i don't know why several of the reviews say that the contents are simplistic; they are not. It's true that the lecturer's ideas are often presented only in brief -- the course should probably be 50 percent longer -- but her observations are quite eye-opening.

Easy Listening and a very solid course!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Pluses:
• A great summary of every book of the Aeneid
• The analysis on the ending to the book was engaging
• The professor was easy to listen to (almost every sentence was easy to understand and there was an avoidance of flowery language that makes understanding difficult)

Minuses:
• The professor tended to explain the same point multiple times and seemed to repeat sentences (the point could’ve been made in less sentences)
• A little more literary analysis on the book rather than plot summaries would’ve been a nice touch

rich in materials, but dry and presentation

There was a lot of good information, and some very interesting theories. There's an excellent review of Roman history pertinent to The Aeneid. if you are reading, or plan to read the poem, then this is definitely worth it. The author speaks however as if she did not have a great passion for the book. The lectures start and end abruptly. It is very matter-of-fact. This would not be a good introduction to Virgil or the Aeneid. However, if you already are interested, this is great.

If you have to read the Aeneid this will help tremendously!

I listened to this to help me in a World Literature class. It gave me a huge boost in the class. Also, it explains a lot of how it refers to Homer and Roman culture. I appreciated the Aeneid more after listening to this.

Professor Vandiver is the best!

Prof. Vandiver is the best classicist around. I listen to her lectures over and over. John Douglas

A very compelling lecturer

I must say that, having listened to Dr Vandiver's lectures on the Iliad and the Odyssey, the second part of the ones on the Aeinid became a little more cumbersome. In any case, a very compelling lecturer, for which I very much recommend this.

Good but a bit basic

The subject matter was great but the level is basic and the teacher repeated herself often. It is the equivalent of a high school discussion, not college. However, good context on the subject was provided.

Definitely a Winner

The lecturer's excitement for the subject she is contagious and fun. It was very instructive. Highly recommend.

Excellent and lucid series of lectures

Whether you are about to read or have read the Aeneid, Vandiver's accessible and scholarly lectures really bring out Virgil's epic.
Her delivery is measured with light humour and an excellent reading voice.
These lectures have made me re-read the Aeneid and I have done so with added pleasure.

Extraordinarily Well Taught.

Anyone moved to read the Aeneid with understanding should take this remarkable course. Prof. Vandiver is a wonderful guide to the riches that this timeless classic contains.

A brilliant overview of the Aeneid

professor Vandiver gives a thorough overview of the Aeneid which manages to be learned without being dry or boring.

I recommend reading (or rereading) the relevant books of the Aeneid prior to the corresponding lectures to get the most from the course.

Essential knowledge, expertly told.

another excellent series from Prof. Vandiver. Highly recommended for those who missed out at school.