Publius Vergilius Maro (15 October 70 BC – 21 September 19 BC), usually called Virgil or Vergil in English, was an ancient Roman poet of the Augustan period. He is known for three major works of Latin literature, the Eclogues (or Bucolics), the Georgics, and the epic Aeneid. A number of minor poems, collected in the Appendix Vergiliana, are sometimes attributed to him.
Vergil's work has had wide and deep influence on Western literature, most notably the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri, in which Vergil appears as Dante's guide through hell (in the Inferno) and purgatory.
Just prior to their "battle" over coats of arms, Stephen de Windesore and Niccolo dello Bosco observed a desperate Greek fish sauce trader trying, and failing, to give away his foul-smelling stock. Dello Bosco quoted from Vergil'sAeneid in the original Latin: "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes" (I fear the Greeks, even those bearing gifts."). Stephen de Windesore remarked that dello Bosco knew Vergil very well. Dello Bosco confirmed that he did indeed know Vergil very well.[1]
After dello Bosco won their battle, revealed his true identity as the Devil, and had carried Stephen de Windesore to Hell, de Windesore saw that the entryway bore the inscription Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate. When de Windesore once again remarked that dello Bosco knew Vergil well, dello Bosco confirmed that Vergil lived with him.[2]
