Book description
In the twenty-one poems of the Heroides, Ovid gave voice to the
heroines and heroes of epic and myth. These deeply moving literary
epistles reveal the happiness and torment of love, as the writers tell
of their pain at separation, forgiveness of infidelity or anger at
betrayal. The faithful Penelope wonders at the suspiciously long absence
of Ulysses, while Dido bitterly reproaches Aeneas for too eagerly
leaving her bed to follow his destiny, and Sappho - the only historical
figure portrayed here - describes her passion for the cruelly rejecting
Phaon. In the poetic letters between Paris and Helen the lovers seem
oblivious to the tragedy prophesied for them, while in another exchange
the youthful Leander asserts his foolhardy eagerness to risk his life to
be with his beloved Hero.
Publius Ovidius Naso was born in 43 BC at Sumo in Central Italy. He
was expelled from Rome by the emperor Augustus in AD 8 for some
unknown offence. He published poetry throughout his life.
Harold Isbell is a renowned translator.
