透過相關主題的探討,本論文要檢視柏拉圖與維吉爾之間的關係,並提出論點,說明此位羅馬詩人深受前者這位雅典哲學家的影響。本文同時研究西德尼的《阿卡迪亞》,以作為確證此二作家相關性的一個方式。由柏拉圖及維吉爾作品中相似主題的討論和西德尼作品之暗示,本文作者主張柏拉圖對《伊尼德》,與荷馬的《伊里亞德》和《奧迪賽》同樣具有影響。 本文（第二至四章）主要部分在研究《伊尼德》直接取自伯拉圖對話錄的幾項主要理念,例如洞穴、靈和愛,及精神與欲望原則,以一覽伯拉圖思想中理想哲學家的教育。 第一章介紹主要人物之歷史關係。第二章則透過伯拉圖與維吉爾對明暗之意象、教育之主題,和英雄之昇降來證明《伊尼德》與《理想國》中洞穴情節之一致性。第三章研究伊尼亞斯的前洞穴經驗（降至第二洞穴－冥界－前與戴朵之風流韻事）,說明此經驗與伯拉圖在《斐德羅》、《饗宴》和《理想國》中靈與愛的觀念具有依存之關係。此處本人探討重點在柏拉圖關於欲奴（為欲望所主宰者）的概念。第四章分析伊尼亞斯的後洞穴經驗,即他在《伊尼德》一書中第七至十二章的城邦實務管理。如同政治生涯中的哲學家皇帝,他在此處扮演著一位制欲者（即遵循精神指導原則的人）,將聖意佈達給百姓。第五章探討西德尼作品《阿卡迪亞》一書中的兩個洞穴情節,藉此說明其中之人物與情節反應出維吉爾融合了柏拉圖哲學之思想與主題。第六章則提供最後之論據以支持本文作者關於柏拉圖學說對《伊尼德》之廣泛性影響。

Through an examination of parallel motifs, this thesis examines therelationship between Plato and Vergil, suggesting that the Roman poet was profoundly influenced by the Athenian philosopher. It studies as well Sidney's "Arcadia," partly as a way of verifying the connection between Plato and Vergil.Supported by the directly parallel motifs in Plato and Vergil and by the implications of Sidney's work, the author argues that Plato may have had as much influence on the "Aeneid" as the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" had. The main focus of this thesis (in Chapters Two through Four) is on theinvestigation of the "Aeneid" for elements that derive directly from Plato's dialogues, such as the motif of the cave, the themes of soul and love, and the principles of erotikos and daimonion, which guide the education of Plato's ideal philosopher-king. Chapter One offers an introduction to the historical relationship of the principal figures: Plato and Vergil. In Chapter Two, which examines the caveepisodes in the "Aeneid" and "The Republic," clear correspondences emerge--through a study of Plato's and Vergil's imagery of light and darkness, through the themes of the ascent and descent of their heroes, and through the theme ofeducation. Chapter Three studies Aeneas' pre-cave experience (the love affairwith Dido before his descent to the second cave, the underworld), showing its dependence upon Plato's concepts of soul and love as expressed in the"Phaedrus," "The Symposium" and "The Republic." Here the author focuses on Plato's concept of the erotikos, or a passion-governed person. Chapter Four analyzes Aeneas' post-cave experience, i.e. his practical management of the polis in Books VII to XII of the "Aeneid." Here, like the philosopher-king inhis political career, he acts as a daimonion, a spirit-governed person who passes the divine will to mortals. Chapter Five explores the two cave episodesin Sidney's "Arcadia," demonstrating that their characters and plots echo the amalgam found in Verigl of Platonic ideas and motifs. Chapter Six provides final arguments in support of the author's discovery of the extensive Platonic influence upon the "Aeneid."