Vergilianism
/vərˈdʒɪliənɪzəm/noun
A word, phrase, style, or characteristic associated with the Roman poet Virgil.
Did you know?In antiquity, sortes Vergilianae involved opening Virgil’s poetry at random and treating the selected passage as an omen—a practice that helped give Virgil’s words an oracular aura.
Etymological Timeline
1st Century BCE
Latin
Vergilius
“The Roman family name of Publius Vergilius Maro, the poet later known in English as Virgil.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
Vergilianus
“Relating to or characteristic of Vergilius, or Virgil.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
Vergilianus
“Associated with Virgil’s poetry, style, or authority.”
18th–19th Century
English
Vergilian
“Relating to Virgil or resembling his literary manner.”
19th Century onward
English
Vergilianism
“A Virgilian expression, stylistic feature, or characteristic mode of writing.”