Ovid and Hesiod
The Metamorphosis of the Catalogue of Women

Explores the previously neglected influence on Ovid's Metamorphoses of Hesiod, the most important archaic Greek poet after Homer.

Ioannis Ziogas (Author)

9781107007413, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 April 2013

260 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm, 0.54 kg

'Ziogas' enthusiasm for the visibility and depth of the Hesiodic influence on Ovid's work is overall justified, his book is extremely well-researched, his arguments are convincing and lucidly argued, and in addition to the main lines of his argument, he offers a multitude of inventive and stimulating readings of various Ovidian passages against their intertexts, both Hesiodic and numerous others, archaic and Hellenistic.' Sophia Papaioannou, Mnemosyne

The influence on Ovid of Hesiod, the most important archaic Greek poet after Homer, has been underestimated. Yet, as this book shows, a profound engagement with Hesiod's themes is central to Ovid's poetic world. As a poet who praised women instead of men and opted for stylistic delicacy instead of epic grandeur, Hesiod is always contrasted with Homer. Ovid revives this epic rivalry by setting the Hesiodic character of his Metamorphoses against the Homeric character of Virgil's Aeneid. Dr Ziogas explores not only Ovid's intertextual engagement with Hesiod's works but also his dialogue with the rich scholarly, philosophical and literary tradition of Hesiodic reception. An important contribution to the study of Ovid and the wider poetry of the Augustan age, the book also forms an excellent case study in how the reception of previous traditions can become the driving force of poetic creation.

Introduction: Ovid as a Hesiodic poet
1. Helen: the intertext of illusion
2. Cosmos and Eros: from chaos to divine loves
3. Coronis and Mestra: bringing the women back to the Catalogue of Women
4. Atalanta: literal and literary races
5. Caenis and Periclymenus: Hesiod at Achilles' party
Concluding remarks.

Subject Areas: Classical history / classical civilisation [HBLA1], Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Literary studies: poetry & poets [DSC], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]