It could be argued that Virgil took advantage of this opportunity to prove himself as an epic poet equal to, or surpassing Homer (all Romans would have known Homer's works well). Homeric influence can be seen throughout the Aenied.
Virgil also may have used the Aeneid to subtley present his own thoughts about the presence of war that create the Roman empire. It is thought that Virgil very anti-war, but concealed in cleverly within his work.
On his deathbed, Virgil asked for the manuscript of the Aenied to be burned. believing it was unfinished. Augustus published it anyway against Virgil's wishes.
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