Virgil’s Aeneid built on Homer’s epic literature by:?

Well, first off, there is no evidence that Homer actually existed. Some say that he is a school of writers and the Homeric title simply groups them together. Others say there is a clarity of thought in his work which must spring from one mind. I am torn but I do think Homer existed.

As for Virgil, he's clearly steeped in Homer and he's also a little jealous. I'm not sure he did build on the literature but instead tried to either debunk Homer or (more likely) wanted to challenge him in life (as opposed to living the best part of a millennium or more after his death).

This tradition isn't unique. Just as Virgil recalls Homer, Shakespeare recalls Plutarch. As Greek is to Roman and Roman is to English, English now is to Hollywood. If that sounds like an insult, it isn't.

We see Homer and Virgil and Shakespeare as sacrosanct. But they were the Hollywood of their day. So there is your thesis. Virgil made Homer Hollywood. Brave, but true.