Virgil
/ˈvɜːrdʒɪl/noun
Virgil was the Roman poet Publius Vergilius Maro, author of the Aeneid, the Eclogues, and the Georgics.
Did you know?Although Virgil was a poet rather than an occultist, medieval legends portrayed him as a powerful magician, sometimes crediting him with enchanted buildings, prophetic powers, and magical defenses.
Etymological Timeline
1st Century BCE
Latin
Vergilius
“The Roman family name of Publius Vergilius Maro; its deeper origin is uncertain.”
1st Century BCE
Latin
Publius Vergilius Maro
“The poet’s full Roman name.”
4th Century CE
Late Latin
Vergilius
“The established form used in late antique references to the poet.”
Middle Ages
Medieval Latin
Virgilius
“A medieval spelling variant that helped associate the name with Latin virga, “rod” or “wand,” encouraging magical reinterpretations.”
14th Century
English
Virgil
“The English form of the poet’s name, appearing in writings about classical literature and medieval legend.”
Modern English
English
Virgil
“The standard English name for the Roman poet and, more broadly, a personal name derived from it.”