In the book titled Vergil's political commentary in Eclogues Georgics and Aeneid the author
examines Vergil's political views by analyzing the whole of the poet's work. He introduces the
notion of the functional model suggesting that the poet often used this instrument when making
a political statement. New interpretations of a number of the Eclogues and passages of the
Georgics and the Aeneid are suggested and the author concludes that Vergil's political
engagement is visible in much of his work. During his whole career the poet was consistent in
his views on several major political themes. These varied from the distress caused by the
violation of the countryside during and after the expropriations in the 40s B.C. to the
horrors of the civil war and the violence of war in general and the necessity of strong
leadership. Vergil hoped and expected that Octavian would establish peace and order and he
supported a form of hereditary kingship for which he considered Octavian a suitable candidate.
He held Cleopatra in high regard and he appreciated a more meaningful role for women in
society. Vergil wrote poetry that supported Augustus but he had also the courage to criticize
Octavian and his policies. He was a commentator with an independent mind and was not a member
of Augustus' putative propaganda machine.
