Roman d’Enéas

romance

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June 17, 2026

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The Roman de Enéas is a 12th-century French romance adapted from Virgil's Aeneid. It is considered one of the three romans d'antiquité (romances of antiquity) that marked the beginning of the romance style in medieval literature.12

The Roman de Enéas retells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who flees the fallen city of Troy to found a new civilization in Italy. The romance focuses on Aeneas's adventures, his love for Lavinia, and the challenges he faces in establishing his destiny. It is noted for its elaborate descriptions and its portrayal of the emotional turmoil of young lovers, influenced by the Roman poet Ovid. This work, along with others like it, demonstrates the impact of classical antiquity on medieval European culture and literature.231

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romance
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…the late Latin poet Statius; Roman d’Enéas, adapted from Virgil’s Aeneid; and Roman de Troie, a retelling by Benoît de Sainte-Maure of the tale of Troy, based not on Homer (who was not known in western Europe, where Greek was not normally read) but on 4th- and 5th-century Latin versions.…
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…the late Latin poet Statius; Roman d’Enéas, adapted from Virgil’s Aeneid; and Roman de Troie, a retelling by Benoît de Sainte-Maure of the tale of Troy, based not on Homer (who was not known in western Europe, where Greek was not normally read) but on 4th- and 5th-century Latin versions.…
Read More