Vergil
/ˈvɜːrdʒɪl/noun
The usual English spelling of the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro, author of the Aeneid.
Did you know?In the Middle Ages, Vergil was sometimes mistaken for a magician or prophet, partly because a misread passage in his Fourth Eclogue was interpreted as foretelling Christ.
Etymological Timeline
1st Century BCE
Latin
Vergilius
“Roman family name borne by Publius Vergilius Maro; its deeper origin is uncertain.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
Publius Vergilius Maro
“The poet’s full Roman name.”
4th Century CE
Latin
Vergilius
“The poet’s name in late-antique manuscripts and Christian commentary.”
Middle Ages
Medieval Latin
Virgilius
“A widespread variant spelling, likely influenced by association with Latin virga, “rod” or “wand.””
14th Century
Middle English
Virgil
“The poet’s name in English literary tradition.”
Modern English
English
Vergil
“A scholarly or American English spelling retaining the form closer to Latin Vergilius.”