Maria Wyke, a Professor of Latin at University College London, and Dunstan Lowe, a Senior Lecturer in Latin Literature at the University of Kent, dive into the life of the infamous Roman poet Ovid. They discuss his influential works, especially 'Metamorphoses' and 'The Art of Love', and the scandal that led to his exile. The conversation explores Ovid's unique storytelling on transformation, his innovative approach to love poetry, and how his time in exile reshaped his writing, revealing deeper emotional layers and a poignant legacy.
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insights INSIGHT
Subverting Romantic Love
Ovid's "Who doesn't know the rest?" subverts romantic poetry by acknowledging the universality of sex.
This challenges the genre's typical portrayal of love as a unique, humiliating experience.
insights INSIGHT
Ovid's Exile
Ovid attributed his exile to a poem (Ars Amatoria) and a mysterious mistake.
The mistake, which he refused to name, may have been more serious, overshadowing the poem.
insights INSIGHT
Metamorphoses: An Epic of Change
Ovid's Metamorphoses, an epic poem of 12,000 verses, details transformations using hexameter.
It weaves together 250 stories, starting with creation and ending with Ovid's own immortality claim.
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Ovid's 'Amores' is a poetic account of the poet's love life, focusing on his complicated relationship with a woman named Corinna. Originally published in five books around 16 BC, it was later revised into three books. The work is known for its humorous and subversive take on traditional love elegies, often using mythological references and military metaphors to describe love affairs.
Tristia
Jiří Taufer
Tristia je básnická sbírka Jiřího Taufera, která je věnována komunistickým dělníkům a učitelům, kteří již nežijí, ale jejichž odkaz se proměnil v umělecká díla. Sbírka se skládá z devíti zpěvů a je charakteristická svou hlubokou reflexí společenských a politických změn v Československu.
Epistulae ex Ponto
Epistulae ex Ponto
Ovid
Ovid's Epistulae ex Ponto, or "Letters from the Black Sea," is a collection of poems written during his exile. These poems are primarily letters to friends and patrons, expressing his longing for Rome and his pleas for pardon. They offer a detailed account of his life in exile, describing the harsh conditions and his emotional struggles. The poems also reveal Ovid's continued engagement with literary themes and his attempts to maintain his reputation despite his circumstances. They provide a unique perspective on the experience of exile and its impact on a prominent figure. Their enduring interest lies in their intimate portrayal of Ovid's personal life and his resilience in the face of adversity.
Ibis
Ovid
Ovid's Ibis is a curse poem, a genre where the poet invokes curses upon an enemy. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery and its use of mythological allusions to intensify the curses. It is believed to be directed against an unnamed enemy, possibly a rival poet or someone who contributed to Ovid's exile. The poem's structure and style are unique, showcasing Ovid's mastery of language and his ability to create a powerful and evocative effect. Its enduring interest lies in its exploration of themes of revenge and the power of words. It also provides insights into the social and literary context of Ovid's time.
Fasti
Ovid
The Fasti is a six-book Latin poem by Ovid, structured as a series of eye-witness reports and interviews with Roman deities, explaining the origins of Roman holidays and customs. It is a significant source for studies of ancient Roman religion and culture. Despite being left incomplete due to Ovid's exile, the Fasti remains a major work of Ovid, offering insights into Roman mythology and societal norms.
Heroides
Ovid
Ovid's Heroides is a collection of fictional love letters written from the perspective of mythological heroines to their absent lovers. The poems explore themes of longing, betrayal, and unrequited love. The letters are characterized by intense emotion and vivid imagery. They offer a glimpse into the complexities of love and relationships in ancient mythology. The Heroides' enduring popularity reflects its timeless exploration of human emotions.
Ars amatoria
Ovid
Written around 2 AD, 'Ars Amatoria' is a series of three books that offer guidance on how to find, keep, and win love. The first book advises men on how to find a woman, the second on how to keep her, and the third, written for women, provides advice on how to win and keep the love of a man. The work is known for its sophisticated and hedonistic portrayal of Roman aristocracy and its subtle critique of societal norms through ironic discourse[1][4][5].
Metamorphoses
Frank Justus Miller
Robert Squillace
Ovid
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso (43BC-17/18AD) who, as he described it, was destroyed by 'carmen et error', a poem and a mistake. His works have been preserved in greater number than any of the poets of his age, even Virgil, and have been among the most influential. The versions of many of the Greek and Roman myths we know today were his work, as told in his epic Metamorphoses and, together with his works on Love and the Art of Love, have inspired and disturbed readers from the time they were created. Despite being the most prominent poet in Augustan Rome at the time, he was exiled from Rome to Tomis on the Black Sea Coast where he remained until he died. It is thought that the 'carmen' that led to his exile was the Art of Love, Ars Amatoria, supposedly scandalising Augustus, but the 'error' was not disclosed.
With
Maria Wyke
Professor of Latin at University College London
Gail Trimble
Brown Fellow and Tutor in Classics at Trinity College at the University of Oxford
And
Dunstan Lowe
Senior Lecturer in Latin Literature at the University of Kent
In Our Time 
