Final answer:
Virgil authored the epic poem 'Aeneid,' sponsored by Augustus, featuring the story of Aeneas, which glorifies the foundation of Rome and Augustus' rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Virgil is the author of the Aeneid under Augustus' patronage about the mythological founding of Rome under Augustus.
Virgil is widely recognized as an Augustan poet, celebrated for his epic poem, the Aeneid, which represents the zenith of Roman epic poetry. This work was composed under the patronage of Augustus, who, at the time, wielded immense power as the first Roman emperor. The Aeneid tells the tale of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who journeys to Italy and becomes the ancestor of the Romans. Virgil's incorporation of mythological figures and Homeric inspiration, such as the underworld journey of Aeneas, greatly elaborates upon his Greek model, adding depth and Roman elements to the epic narrative. These elements come together to glorify the origins of Rome and, by extension, the rule of Augustus, tying the emperor to the divine and heroic fabric of the city's foundation.