Long before Monaco became known for luxury yachts and Grand Prix races, it held a different kind of fame—one rooted in legend and landscape. The Roman poet Virgil called Monaco “that castled cliff,” a phrase that captures both its strategic location and its ancient mystique. This evocative description appears in his epic work, The Aeneid, where he references the cliff of Monoecus, an early name for Monaco.
Monoecus: A Place of Myth and Heroes
In antiquity, Monaco was known as Monoecus, a name linked to Hercules (Heracles). According to legend, the Greek hero passed through the region and built a temple to himself—hence the name Portus Herculis Monoeci, or “the port of Hercules the Lone Dweller.” The area’s steep cliffs and solitary position along the Mediterranean coast gave rise to its poetic reputation.
Roman poet Virgil called Monaco “that castled cliff”: Virgil’s Vision in the Aeneid
In The Aeneid (Book VI, line 830), Virgil refers to “that castled cliff of Monoecus,” a phrase that would immortalize Monaco’s dramatic setting. While brief, the reference situates Monaco among the mythic and heroic landscapes that define the journey of Aeneas, the Trojan hero destined to found Rome. For Virgil, Monaco was not just a waypoint—it was a symbol of strength, solitude, and enduring presence.
A Fortress in Stone
Virgil’s image of a “castled cliff” has proven remarkably accurate. Perched above the sea, the Rock of Monaco has long served as a natural fortress. Even in modern times, the Prince’s Palace stands where fortifications once dominated the skyline. This continuity between ancient and modern Monaco makes Virgil’s phrase feel as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago.
A Poetic Legacy by the Sea
So when the Roman poet Virgil called Monaco “that castled cliff,” he gave the principality more than a name—he gave it a legend. One that still lingers in the sea air, etched into the limestone and echoed in every view from the heights above the harbor.