Ovid Before Exile: Art and Punishment in the Metamorphoses

Ovid's Metamorphoses stands out for its irreverent tone and boundary-defying nature, distinguishing it from the works of contemporaries like Vergil and Horace. The analysis in Ovid before Exile offers a fresh perspective by exploring the epic against the backdrop of the declining cultural landscape during the final years of Augustus' reign, a period that challenged artistic freedom and expression. This examination reveals the complexities and significance of Ovid's work in a time of cultural and political turmoil.