Abstract: The Aeneid was first translated into French by Octovien de Saint-Gelais (1468-1502), then dedicated to Louis XII. This translation, however faithful, was no more neutral than the French kings’ ongoing conquest of Italy. This article examines some of Saint-Gelais’ additions to Vergil’s text, confirming his prologue’s views: war is dangerous and pointless; Fortune alone rules the fates of men. The mirror for princes awaited by a public eager to (re)read the Aeneid turns into a distorting mirror.
