Ovid’s Metamorphoses: A New Translation(World Literature in Translation)

This fresh translation revives the politics and power at play in classical mythology’s foremost source Centuries of conservative translators have robbed the Metamorphoses of its subversive force. In this boldly lyrical translation, C. Luke Soucy revives the magnum opus of Rome’s most clever and creative poet, faithfully matching the epic’s wit and style while confronting the sexuality, violence, and politics so many previous translations have glossed over.   Soucy’s powerful version breathes new life into Ovid's mythic world, where canonical power dynamics are challenged from below to drain heroes of their heroism, give victims their say, and reveal an earth holier than heaven. Incorporating the latest scholarship alongside annotations, illustrations, and glossary, this edition brings fresh insights to both returning and new readers.

Table of Contents:
Contents List of Illustrations  Introduction  Translator’s Note  METAMORPHOSES  Book 1  Prologue • The First Creation • The Ages of Man • The Gigantomachy • Lycaön • The Deluge • Deucalion and Pyrrha • The Second Creation: Python • Apollo and Daphne • Io, Part 1 • Argus: Pan and Syrinx • Io, Part 2 • Phaëthon, Part 1 Book 2  Phaëthon, Part 2 • The Heliads and Cygnus • Callisto • The Raven and the Crow • Ocyrhoë • Battus • The Envy of Aglauros • Europa Book 3  Cadmus and the Dragon’s Teeth • Actaeon • Semele • Tiresias • Echo and Narcissus • Pentheus and Acoetes Book 4  The Daughters of Minyas, Part 1 • Pyramus and Thisbe • The Loves of the Sun • Hermaphroditus and Salmacis • The Daughters of Minyas, Part 2 • Athamas and Ino • Cadmus and Harmonia • Perseus, Atlas, and Andromeda • Perseus and Medusa Book 5  Perseus and Phineus • Proetus and Polydectes • Pyreneus and the Muses • The Pierides, Part 1 • The Rape of Proserpine • Arethusa • Lyncus and Triptolemus • The Pierides, Part 2 Book 6  Arachne and Minerva • Niobe • Latona and the Lycians • Marsyas • Pelops • Tereus, Procne, and Philomela • Boreas and Orithyia Book 7  Medea • Theseus • The War with Minos • The Myrmidons • Cephalus and Procris Book 8  Scylla and Nisus • The Minotaur • Daedalus • The Calydonian Hunt • Althaea and Meleäger • Acheloüs • Baucis and Philemon • Mestra and Erysichthon • Acheloüs and Hercules, Part 1 Book 9  Acheloüs and Hercules, Part 2 • The Death of Hercules • Lucina and Galanthis • Dryope and Lotus • Iolaüs and Themis • Byblis and Caunus • Iphis and Ianthe Book 10  Orpheus and Eurydice • Cyparissus • Ganymede and Hyacinth • The Cerastae, the Propoetides, and Pygmalion • Myrrha • Venus and Adonis Book 11  The Death of Orpheus • Midas • Peleus and Thetis • Daedalion and Chione • The Wolf of Psamathe • Ceÿx and Alcyone • Aesacus Book 12  The Greeks at Aulis • The House of Rumor • Achilles and Cygnus • Caenis Becomes Caeneus • The Centauromachy • Hercules and Periclymenus • The Death of Achilles Book 13  The Judgment of Arms • The Sorrows of Hecuba • Memnon • The Daughters of Anius • Galatea, Acis, and Polyphemus • Scylla and Glaucus, Part 1 Book 14  Scylla and Glaucus, Part 2 • The Sibyl of Cumae • Polyphemus • Ulysses and Circe • Picus and Canens • The Crew of Diomedes • The Apotheosis of Aeneas • Pomona and Vertumnus • The Apotheoses of Romulus and Hersilie Book 15 Hercules and Croton • Pythagoras • Egeria and Hippolytus • Cipus • Aesculapius • The Apotheosis of Julius Caesar • Epilogue Commentary  Appendix: Text and Translation Notes Acknowledgments  Selected Bibliography  Glossary of Names and Places  About the Translator