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The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VII cover

The Metamorphoses of Ovid, Books I-VII

Chapter 13: THE METAMORPHOSES Book IV-VII.
By Ovid
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About This Book

A continuous poetic sequence of mythic narratives that begins with cosmic origins and the succession of ages and then unfolds a stream of episodes in which gods, mortals, and hybrid creatures undergo literal transformations. Short anecdotes alternate with longer tales that explain natural phenomena, genealogies, and cultural rituals through metamorphosis as outcome: lovers changed into plants or animals, mortals punished or rewarded by gods, and heroes whose ambitions provoke catastrophic change. Recurring themes include desire, jealousy, power, and the interplay of art and fate, with each episode concluding by showing how identity is remade and the world reshaped.

THE METAMORPHOSES Book IV-VII.

 

Fable descriptions are taken from the translator’s Synopses.

Book IV
Fable I: The daughters of Minyas. Pyramus and Thisbe.
Fable II: Mars and Venus. The Sun and Leucothoë.
Fable III: Clytie buried alive.
Fable IV: Daphnis; Scython; Celmus; Crocus and Smilax; the Curetes.
Fable V: Salmacis and Hermaphroditus.
Fable VI: The daughters of Minyas.
Fable VII: Athamas and Ino.
Fable VIII: Cadmus leaves Thebes.
Fable IX: Perseus kills Medusa.
Fable X: Perseus and Andromeda. Medusa’s hair.

Book V
Fable I: Perseus’s marriage feast.
Fable II: Minerva and the Muses.
Fable III: The song of Calliope.
Fable IV: Pluto and Proserpina.
Fable V: Ceres searches for Proserpina.
Fable VI: Arethusa is changed into a fountain.
Fable VII: Lyncus is changed into a lynx; the Pierides are changed into magpies.

Book VI
Fable I: Arachne and Minerva.
Fable II: Niobe and her children.
Fable III: Latona and the frogs.
Fable IV: Marsyas is flayed alive.
Fable V: Tereus, Progne and Philomela.
Fable VI: Progne’s son Itys.
Fable VII: Boreas and Orithyïa.

Book VII
Fable I: Jason, the Golden Fleece and Medea.
Fable II: Medea restores Æson to youth. The daughters of Pelias.
Fable III: Medea in Corinth.
Fable IV: Hercules chains Cerberus. Theseus and Medea.
Fable V: Minos at Ægina. Cephalus at Ægina.
Fable VI: The Myrmidons.
Fable VII: Procris becomes a huntress. Œdipus and the Sphinx.
Fable VIII: Cephalus accidentally kills Procris.