The Love Books of Ovid

by Ovid, J. Lewis May (Translator), Jean de Bosschère (Illustrator)

The Love Books of OvidTranslated by J. Lewis May'The Love Books of Ovid' is a combination of four books of the Roman poet's verse translated into prose. This volume includes 'Amores' or 'The Loves', 'Ars Amatoria' or 'The Art of Love', 'Remedia Amoris' or 'Love's Cure', and 'Medicamina Faciei Feminae' or 'The Art of Beauty'. Considered to be a master of the elegy form of poetry, Ovid, is faithfully represented here in this English prose translation. Students of classical literature and fans of romantic poetry will both delight in this volume of works by Ovid.This is Julian May's translation of Ovid's 'erotic' The Amores (the Loves), Ars Amatoria (the Art of Love), Remedia Amoris (The Cure for Love) and the fragmentary Medicamina Faciei Feminae (Women's Facial Cosmetics). This version was published in 1930 in a 'limited' edition with sensual art deco illustrations by Jean de Bosschere.In the Amores, published about 18 BCE, Ovid portrays the evolution of an affair with a married woman named Corinna. It is unclear as to whether this is fictional or autobiographical, but it is obviously based on the experiences of a sophisticated lover. The Ars Amatoria, published about 1 BCE, is a guidebook for seduction; it includes many tips and tricks which would not be out of place in a modern dating manual, while giving intimate vignettes of daily life in Ancient Rome. The first two books are written from a male point of view; the last book, which was probably written at a later date, is addressed to women. It is believed that this work, which celebrates extramarital sex, was one of the reasons that Ovid was banished by the Emperor Augustus, who was attempting to promote a more austere morality.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Philosophy, History

116 pages, Kindle Edition

About the author

Publius Ovidius Naso (20 March 43 BC – AD 17/18), known in English as Ovid was a Roman poet who lived during the reign of Augustus. He was a younger contemporary of Virgil and Horatius, with whom he is often ranked as one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature. The Imperial scholar Quintilian considered him the last of the Latin love elegists. Although Ovid enjoyed enormous popularity during his lifetime, the emperor Augustus exiled him to Tomis, the capital of the newly-organised province of Moesia, on the Black Sea, where he remained for the last nine or ten years of his life. Ovid himself attributed his banishment to a "poem and a mistake", but his reluctance to disclose specifics has resulted in much speculation among scholars.
Ovid is most famous for the Metamorphoses, a continuous mythological narrative in fifteen books written in dactylic hexameters. He is also known for works in elegiac couplets such as Ars Amatoria ("The Art of Love") and Fasti. His poetry was much imitated during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, and greatly influenced Western art and literature. The Metamorphoses remains one of the most important sources of classical mythology today.

Reviews

[Mati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read similar compilation of Ovid works, but it was almost the same as this one, plus some poems were in Latin. It was one of the best poetry book I have ever read. The freshness breathed from each page even if it was written in Roman times. The description of the love troubles and how to catch and how to hold your beloved one. Those advices are similar to those which are now published all over the world in books and magazines, however Ovid put it in very light manner and with wit and love to tell and help reader with his/her troubles.I got serious trashing when my teacher discovered that read the book under the desk during the class.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What amazes me about Ovid is how his hilariously raunchy advice regarding relationships continues to apply through the ages. Trying to get over a bad breakup? Stop spending time with your ex, burn any stuff she left hanging around, and sleep with someone else. On the other hand, if you're trying to woo a lady, take her to the theater, listen when she talks, and make physical contact in an entirely appropriate and socially acceptable way.

Often using mythology as a guide, Ovid's love poems are a light-hearted and practical dating guide for men and women alike.

[magiisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

“It’s SO bad I want to give you a zero but that’s not possible so I give you a one”

His unfunny ‘advice’ is DEPLORABLE like he tells women who are too short to just sit and promotes other ridiculous ways to get a men😭Ovid exudes the same energy as Matt rife and that’s NOT a compliment.

Would not read again unless forced to

[judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don't even know why i read this.

[Abby · Rating 2 out of 5]

weird. very weird, and definitely not worth the read. the poet, ovid, encourages incest and adultery??? very weird take on love, and basically just roman sm*t.