Ovid's Metamorphoses: Roman Epic, Mythology, and Legacy

Ovid's Metamorphoses: Roman Epic and Mythology

The Life of Publius Ovidius Naso

Early Life and Poetic Career

Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BC-17 AD) was born in Sulmona, Central Italy, into a wealthy family of equestrian rank. While very young, he was sent to Rome to study eloquence. He then traveled to Athens, Asia Minor, and Sicily.

On his return to Rome, he was introduced into intellectual circles. He held various public offices but ultimately rejected politics to pursue poetry. He had a natural talent for writing poetry and achieved great success.

Exile by Emperor Augustus

Ovid's personal life and poetry led to his unfortunate sentence to banishment. In 8 AD, he was the subject of an accusation, and Emperor Augustus exiled him to Tomis. He had to abandon forever his family, his circle of friends, and the fame and success he had known as a poet.

Two possible reasons have been put forward to justify Ovid's condemnation: witnessing a shocking event within the imperial family, or having published his Ars Amandi, whose erotic connotations violated the moral standards Augustus sought to impose.

Ovid died in exile, longing for Rome and begging one and all to intercede with Emperor Augustus for the punishment to be lifted.

Ovid's Masterpiece: The Metamorphoses

Composition, Structure, and Themes

Ovid's most famous and significant work in the history of literature is his Metamorphoses. It is a work difficult to classify because it encompasses elements of elegy, epic poetry, and didactic poetry.

He began its composition around 3 BC and completed it in 8 AD.

It is an epic written in dactylic hexameter across fifteen books, in which all the Greek myths are told, many of which end with a transformation of gods, heroes, and men into rocks, animals, plants, or constellations. Pythagorean doctrines influenced these poetic versions, and Ovid also incorporated Roman myths to complete the work. It encompasses approximately 250 myths. The poem begins with the creation of the world out of chaos and ends with the apotheosis of Caesar.

Although Ovid uses Greek and Roman sources, the plan of the work is entirely his own.

Originality and Philosophical Basis

Its originality also lies in creating a frame that distinguishes the ages of gods, heroes, and great historical figures. The literary material Ovid handles is immense, as is the erudition displayed. The philosophical basis for the transformations is Pythagoreanism.

Ovid is able to create an exciting narrative with many passages, alternating tones and seamlessly connecting one legend after another with great skill in transitions.

Lasting Impact on Western Culture

His influence on Western culture has been enormous, inspiring writers, painters, sculptors, and musicians.