Alfred John Church 
Stories from Virgil 

Alfred John Church’s ‘Stories from Virgil’ delves into the ancient and timeless tales from Virgil’s epic poem, ‘The Aeneid’. Church’s concise retellings of these classic stories captivate readers with their vivid imagery and engaging narrative style. This book provides a wonderful introduction to the world of Roman mythology and the legendary hero, Aeneas, as he navigates through various trials and adventures. Church’s literary style stays true to the original work while making it accessible to a modern audience. ‘Stories from Virgil’ is not only a valuable literary asset but also a delightful read for anyone interested in classical mythology and epic poetry. Alfred John Church, a renowned classicist and scholar, brings his expertise to this retelling of Virgil’s epic. His deep understanding of ancient literature and myth shines through in his faithful interpretations while also making the stories easily digestible for readers of all ages. Church’s passion for the classics is evident in every page of ‘Stories from Virgil’. I highly recommend ‘Stories from Virgil’ to anyone interested in classical mythology, epic poetry, or the rich tapestry of ancient literature. Alfred John Church’s masterful retellings breathe new life into these millennia-old stories, making them accessible and enjoyable for contemporary readers.

About the author

Alfred John Church (1829–1912) was an illustrious English classical scholar and writer, renowned for his accessible translations of Latin classics which aimed to enthrall the young Victorian readers. His erudite yet engaging approach facilitated a new appreciation of ancient literature. Church’s pedagogical contributions extend notably through his ‘Stories from Virgil, ‘ an adaptation of Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’ for a younger audience. In this work, Church retained the epic’s magnificence while ensuring its narrative and moral lessons became reachable for students. His literary style was characterized by a narrative fluency that infused life into classical myths and legends, allowing them to resonate with contemporary readers. Church’s scholarly endeavors were complemented by a prolific writing career that included not only translations and retellings of classical tales but also original historical novels such as ‘The Count of the Saxon Shore.’ His ability to straddle the worlds of academia and popular literature set him apart as both a respected academic and a beloved author whose works contributed significantly to the popularization of classical education in the English-speaking world.