Britannica Sources used in this answer

How was the Aeneid saved after Virgil’s death?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ancient Roman mosaic showing the poet Virgil seated and writing, flanked by the muses Clio and Melpomene, displayed in a decorative border. — Virgil Virgil (centre) holding a scroll with a quotation from the *Aeneid* and flanked by the muses Clio and Melpomene, mosaic, early 3rd century ce; in the Bardo National Museum, Tunis, Tunisia.

At the time of his death in 19 BCE, the Aeneid remained unfinished, containing approximately 60 incomplete lines. According to historical accounts, Virgil left a dying wish requesting that his epic poem be burned. However, this request was countermanded by the order of the emperor Augustus, who ensured the work was preserved. Consequently, the poem survived to become Rome's national epic and a foundational work of Latin literature.123