70-19 B.C.

The foremost Roman poet of his day. Born in Mantua, he wrote, among other works, on agriculture in the Georgics (On farming). This didactic poem, written in hexameter verse, was published in 29 B.C. in four books. It was frequently cited by other classical writers, and the Roman agricultural authority Columella pays tribute to Virgil in his own work; however, it is to be noted more for its literary accomplishment than for its use as a farming manual.