Wrote epic, exciting poetry, like Aeneid, a long tale about a hero, about the founding of Rome in the aftermath of the Trojan War. Studied law first, then fell in love with philosophy. Wrote lots of poems. Led a comfortable, worry-free life, devoting himself to historical research for the Aeneid. Enjoyed the luxuries his father's bequest & the emperor's patronage provided Met Octavian as student student, who became the future emperor Augustus & his patron.