Our Aeneid

Our Aeneid is a collaborative translation of Vergil’s Aeneid, bringing together over 200 contributors to translate the epic line by line. Each participant contributes a short section of the text along with a personal reflection on their translation choices and connection to the work. The completed translation will be published as a printed book by Contubernales Books, serving as a lasting artifact of the 21st-century classics community.

Contribute to the Project

Editor

We’re assembling a small but dedicated editing team to help bring Our Aeneid to life. Editors will review submitted translations, work collaboratively with contributors, and help format the final text for publication.

Artist

Our Aeneid will feature original illustrations contributed by artists from around the world. These visual interpretations will appear throughout the book, helping to bring new dimensions to the epic and reflect the diversity of its contributors.

Translator

Participants will each be assigned (or may request) a 50-line section of the Latin text. Once your translation is submitted, the editing team will review it and provide feedback.

Amplifying Voices & Building Community

We want to decentralize the act of translation and open up the process to individuals with a wide range of linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds. The final product will be as diverse as its contributors. Rather than presenting a singular vision of the Aeneid, this version will reflect the beauty of a multicultural translation.

Support Our Aeneid

Contribute

Apply to Translate or Edit!

Donate

Donate to help fund editing, formatting, and production

Translate

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Edit

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be an expert to contribute a translation?

No! With the help of our editorial team, we want your translation to succeed, whether you’re a student, hobbyist, or language enthusiast. If it’s clear, however, that you haven’t meaningfully engaged with the Latin or worked with editors to strengthen your submission, your translation may not be included in the final publication.

Does my translation need to be in English?

No! Your translation can be in any language (modern or ancient). We want Our Aeneid to reflect the diversity of the global Latin community. If you’re submitting a translation in a language that may be less familiar to our team, we may ask for you to recommend an editor.

Will translators receive payments or royalties?

No. With hundreds of contributors, royalties would be too difficult to manage. Editors, however, will receive payments based on fund availability.

How will my translation be credited?

Your name (or pen name) will appear with the lines you translated. Donors and editors will also be credited.

Why the Aeneid and not the Odyssey?

The Aeneid is a fantastic story! More people also are able to translate Latin than Ancient Greek. If this project is a success, we may tackle Homer next.

When will the book be available?

We’re aiming for Winter 2026, but completion depends on the number of submissions.

Do I still own the rights to my translation?

Yes! If you submit your translation for Our Aeneid, you still retain the rights for your translation. If you are submitting part of a translation that has previously been published, you must ensure it can legally be reused.

Is this promoting bad or inaccurate translations?

No. There are already many literal and academic translations of the Aeneid. This project is about spotlighting different voices.