The Art of Love, which was essentially a takeoff on
didactic poems. Whereas authors of earlier didactic
poems had written guides to farming, hunting, or some
such subject, Ovid’s work was a handbook on the
seduction of women (see the box above).
The most famous Latin prose work of the golden
age was written by the historian Livy (LIV-ee) (59
B.C.E.–17C.E.). Livy’s masterpiece was hisHistory of
Rome, covering the years from the foundation of the
city (in the seventh centuryB.C.E.) to 9B.C.E. Only 35 ofthe original 142 books have survived, although we do
possess brief summaries of the whole work from other
authors. Livy perceived history in terms of moral les-
sons. As he stated in the preface:
The study of history is the best medicine for a sick mind;
for in history you have a record of the infinite variety of
human experience plainly set out for all to see; and in that
record you can find for yourself and your country both
examples and warnings: fine things to take as models,
base things, rotten through and through, to avoid.^8Ovid and the Art of Love
Ovid has been called the last great poet of the
Augustan golden age of literature. One of his most
famous works wasThe Art of Love, a guidebook for the
seduction of women. Unfortunately for Ovid, the work
appeared at a time when Augustus was eager to
improve the morals of the Roman upper class. Augustus
considered the work offensive, and Ovid soon found
himself in exile.Ovid,The Art of Love
Now I’ll teach you how to captivate and hold the
woman of your choice. This is the most important part
of all my lessons....
First of all, be quite sure that there isn’t a woman
who cannot be won, and make up your mind that you
will win her. Only you must prepare the ground.
Sooner would the birds cease their song in the
springtime, or the grasshopper be silent in the
summer,... than a woman resist the tender wooing of
a youthful lover....
Now the first thing you have to do is to get on good
terms with the fair one’s maid. She can make things
easy for you. Find out whether she is fully in her
mistress’s confidence, and if she knows all about her
secret dissipations. Leave no stone unturned to win
her over. Once you have her on your side, the rest is
easy....
In the first place, it’s best to send her a letter, just
to pave the way. In it you should tell her how you dote
on her; pay her beauty compliments and say all the
nice things lovers always say.... And promise, promise,promise. Promises will cost you nothing. Everyone’s a
millionaire where promises are concerned....
If she refuses your letter and sends it back unread,
don’t give up; hope for the best and try again....
Don’t let your hair stick up in tufts on your head;
see that your hair and your beard are decently
trimmed. See also that your nails are clean and nicely
filed; don’t have any hair growing out of your nostrils;
take care that your breath is sweet, and don’t go about
reeking like a billy-goat. All other toilet refinements
leave to the women or to perverts....
When you find yourself at a feast where the wine is
flowing freely, and where a woman shares the same
couch with you, pray to that god whose mysteries are
celebrated during the night, that the wine may not
overcloud your brain. ‘Tis then you may easily hold
converse with your mistress in hidden words whereof
she will easily divine the meaning....
By subtle flatteries you may be able to steal into her
heart.... Never cease to sing the praises of her face,
her hair, her taper fingers and her dainty foot....
Tears, too, are a mighty useful resource in the
matter of love. They would melt a diamond. Make a
point, therefore, of letting your mistress see your face
all wet with tears.
Howbeit, if you can’t manage to squeeze out any
tears—and they won’t always flow just when you want
them to—put your finger in your eyes.Q What were Ovid’s principles of love? Why do you
think Augustus foundThe Art of Loveso offensive?Source: FromThe Love Books of Ovid, translated by J. Lewis May. Published 1930 by Rarity Press.Roman Culture and Society in the Early Empire 131Copyright 2017 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).
Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.
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