Metamorphoses | Ovid

Metamorphoses: Penguin Clothbound Classics

Extended Synopsis

Ovid’s masterwork, the Metamorphoses, is an extraordinary, sweeping narrative that brings together a dazzling array of classical myths and legends. Woven seamlessly through the central theme of transformation—often driven by the turbulent forces of love, lust, and divine intervention—the epic takes readers from the dawn of creation to the deification of Julius Caesar and Augustus. Through these captivating tales, mortal men and women find themselves magically, and sometimes tragically, changed into stars, trees, animals, and other extraordinary forms.

Featuring some of the most enduring stories in Western culture, including Daedalus and Icarus, Pygmalion, and Perseus and Andromeda, Ovid’s poetry balances profound erudition with dramatic playfulness. This stunning Penguin Clothbound Classics edition features a gorgeous tactile cover design by Coralie Bickford-Smith. Inside, David Raeburn’s highly acclaimed modern verse translation vividly captures the rhythm, wit, and sensuality of Ovid’s original Latin text, while Denis Feeney's insightful introduction contextualizes the epic's vast influence on centuries of art and literature.

Intended Audience

This premium edition is the perfect addition to the library of classical literature enthusiasts, students of ancient mythology and Roman history, and collectors of elegantly designed hardcover books.

Author Biography

Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BC – AD 17/18), known simply as Ovid, was a prolific and celebrated Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. A younger contemporary of Virgil and Horace, he is recognized alongside them as one of the canonical poets of Latin literature. His innovative narratives and technical mastery have profoundly influenced writers and artists throughout the centuries, from William Shakespeare to Pablo Picasso.

Accolades & Recognition

• A foundational text of Western literature that has shaped artistic and literary traditions for over two millennia.
• Features David Raeburn's authoritative and fluid modern verse translation, widely praised for its accessibility and adherence to the spirit of the original Latin.
• Part of the highly collectible Penguin Clothbound Classics series, renowned for its physical beauty and scholarly rigor.

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