This is a retelling in novel form of the Latin epic poem "Aeneid" by Virgil. My theme is war and a particular man-a man driven by destiny to abandon Troy and sail to western Italy to fulfill his fate of founding the people who would build Rome. Fulfilling his destiny was not easy. Juno, the wife of Jupiter, the king of gods and men, opposed him, as did many warriors. They did not want him to bring his household gods-the Penates-to Latium on the western coast of Italy, to found the city of Lavinium, and to marry Lavinia and become the ancestor of the Romans.

This is an easy-to-read retelling in modern English. People who read this retelling first will find the original work much easier to read and understand. I would like to see my retellings of classic literature used in schools, so I give permission to the country of Finland (and all other countries) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to the state of Texas (and all other states) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to all teachers to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever.Teachers need not actually teach my retellings. Teachers are welcome to give students copies of my eBooks as background material. For example, if they are teaching Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," teachers are welcome to give students copies of my "Virgil's 'Aeneid': A Retelling in Prose" and tell students, "Here's another ancient epic you may want to read in your spare time."The AENEID is well worth reading. In addition to being the epic of ancient Rome, the AENEID contains the fullest surviving ancient account of the fall of Troy. It also contains the story of the tragic love affair between Aeneas and Dido, the queen of Carthage - a story that Virgil apparently invented. After Troy is defeated in the Trojan War, the story of the Trojans is not over. Aeneas, the son of the immortal goddess Venus and the mortal man Anchises, is fated to go to Italy and become an important ancestor of the Romans. But fulfilling his fate is not easy. Juno, wife of the most powerful god, Jupiter, hates him. She wants him to fall in love with Dido, Queen of Carthage, so that he will stay in Carthage and never reach Italy. He does fall in love with Dido, but he is a man of PIETAS, a man who does his duty, and he takes a journey to the Land of the Dead, where he meets his late father, Anchises, who shows him future Romans, and who tells him, "Other peoples, no doubt, will be better than the Romans in many endeavors. Others will be better at creating sculptures, whether of bronze or of marble. Others will be better at public speaking. Others will be better at astronomy. But Romans must remember to rule well the peoples of the world, including their own people. Romans must remember to rule while encouraging peace. Romans must remember to spare the defeated, just as Romans must remember to defeat the proud. Good government and good laws will be the arts of the Romans." Although Aeneas is usually a man of PIETAS (proper, dutiful behavior), at times he is a man of FUROR (rage or passion). We can ask what he gives to the Romans as their ancestor, and we can ask whether he follows his late father's advice. At the moment when Aeneas knows that he has won the war that Juno forced him to fight, that he knows that he has conquered his main enemy, and that he knows that he will fulfill his fate, what happens? Does he fill his heart with PIETAS - or with FUROR?Teachers, the author gives you permission to buy one copy of this book per course and share it without extra cost with all the students in that course.

This is a retelling of Homer's great epic poem about the Trojan War, "The Iliad," in novel form.

"Dante's Divine Comedy: A Retelling in Prose" by David Bruce offers a modern interpretation of Dante Alighieri's epic poem, presenting the timeless journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise in a clear and accessible prose format. Bruce's retelling preserves the essence and depth of Dante's original work while making it more approachable for contemporary readers. Through vivid descriptions and engaging narrative, readers are guided through Dante's intricate exploration of sin, redemption, and the human condition. As Dante navigates the depths of Hell, climbs the slopes of Purgatory, and ascends through the spheres of Paradise, Bruce skillfully captures the philosophical and theological themes of the Divine Comedy, inviting readers to contemplate their own spiritual journey and the nature of salvation.

This is an easy-to-read retelling of William Shakespeare's tragedy "Julius Caesar," which could have been titled "The Tragedy of Marcus Junius Brutus."