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From:UC Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities
Name/TitleBook, Virgil's Aeneis
About this object1610 publication of Virgil's Aeneis, translated into Scottish Verse, by the famous Gawin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld.
This 1610 edition of the Aeneid is a translation from Latin into Scottish verse by Bishop Gawain Douglas. The power of the language for recording and transmitting epic was also recognised by Douglas, who is not only credited with the first use of the word ‘wow’ in printed form, but also created the first vernacular translation of a major classical work. Reproducing an ancient epic in the language of the everyday Scottish person was a significant statement, a way for the author to indicate that common Scots was as important and unique as a language as Latin or English.
MakerVirgil (ca 70-19 BCE)
Maker RoleAuthor
MakerBishop Gawain Douglas (ca.1474–1522)
Maker RoleTranslator
Date Made1610
Place MadeScotland; Edinburgh
Subject and Association KeywordsWriting, history
Named CollectionThe James Logie Memorial Collection, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Credit LineFrom the Collection of Professor D.A.Kidd
Object TypeBook
Object number214.13.11
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved