Respected v. Rejected Episode 5 - Ovid

This episode of "Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers" discusses the complexity of the Latin author Ovid. It covers his background, his famous works, his writing style, and his banishment from Rome by Emperor Augustus. Ovid was a talented poet who gained popularity in Rome but fell out of favor with the emperor due to the explicit content in his poems. He was exiled for life and wrote a book called "Tristeia" expressing his remorse. Despite his exile, Ovid's work, including "Metamorphoses," continues to influence modern writers. Hey guys, and welcome back to Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers, where I give little lessons on Latin and the cultural impacts of this fascinating language. On today's episode of Respected vs. Rejected Latin Authors, Ovid, I'm going to discuss the complexity of Ovid, who he was, his interesting backstory, his famous works, his writing style, and his banishment from Rome. Publius Ovidus Naso was born to middle class parents, who encouraged his studies of literature and rhetoric in Rome. Ovid also studied philosophy in Greece. He was on a path to become an educated and wealthy citizen until the death of his brother when Ovid was 19. Ovid quit his job, which was a sure path to proceed as a court judge. He then dedicated his life to writing poetry. He broke free from the bonds of seriousness and rules which he had to follow in the law system. He started writing and frequently gave public readings of his work. He published his first collection in 20 BC, and it was a hit. All of Rome was enthralled by his verse. He was quickly regarded in his big city as the best love poet of his era. As well as writing love poems, he also dabbled in autobiographies. He traveled often in his life and married three times. He was a rather charming young man, popular with the people, but he fell out of favor with the emperor Augustus. Augustus thought that Ovid's poetry was not appropriate, especially his poems entitled Ars Amatorium, which detailed how to win the love of a woman. Augustus banished Ovid from Rome for life. Though Augustus may have been justified in his exile of Ovid, no one really knows the reason and Augustus could have easily exiled Ovid out of spite. While Ovid was in exile, he wrote a book entitled Tristeia, which means sadness. He missed his wife, family, friends, and life back in Rome. Ovid wrote the Tristeia to appeal to Augustus, in a way. It is obvious that Ovid felt genuine remorse for whatever he had done to be exiled, as was detailed in the Tristeia. However, Augustus remained hard-hearted and Ovid was forced to live the rest of his life in separation from everyone he knew and loved. However, to backtrack a bit, Ovid's arguably most notable work, Metamorphoses, was written just shortly before his exile. It is a series of 250 stories from Greek mythology. Ovid's writing style in this book was described as free and descriptive, as is evident in his excerpt, Ovid Metamorphoses 7, lines 202-209, entitled, The Witchcraft of Medea. By charms I raise and lay the winds, and burst the viper's jaw, and from the bowels of the earth both stones and trees do draw. Whole woods and forests I remove, I make the mountains shake, and even the earth itself to groan and fearfully to quake. I call up dead men from their graves, and be, O lightsome moon, I darkened oft. Though beaten brass abate thy peril soon, our sorcery dims the morning fair, and darks the sun at noon. As a stark contrast to his calm character, while in exile, Ovid went into a bit of rage and burned his book The Metamorphoses and several of his other smaller works. He is said to have despised the works that put him in that situation. However, he compiled his works back through drafts he had sent to his friends and peers that he had sent him to review. Ovid was an innovator in the era of Latin literature. He was respected by many for his free verse and flowing rhythm. However, his life and works are also shrouded in controversy. Dealing with his exile and bold ideas, Ovid influenced many writers of the Roman era and continues to influence modern writers. Thanks for joining me on Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers, and I hope to see you on the next episode of Rejected vs. Respected Latin Authors.