Metamorphoses insignes

The Greatest Love Stories from Ovid’s Metamorphoses

Online Latin Literature Course | February 14 – April 4, 2025

Omnia mutantur, nihil interit. With these words, Ovid summarises one of the key concepts of his Metamorphoses, the poem that recounts the most fascinating myths of antiquity through the thread of change.

This course explores the enchanting love stories from Metamorphoses: Daphne’s desperate escape and her transformation into a laurel tree; Narcissus falling in love with his own reflection and Echo reduced to a disembodied voice; the tragic fate of Pyramus and Thisbe, whose love stains the mulberries red; Salmacis’ unyielding passion for Hermaphroditus, merging them into one being; the devoted couple Philemon and Baucis, united forever as trees; Pygmalion’s deep love for the statue he carves, brought to life by his intense desire; Venus’ deep affection for Adonis, turned into a delicate anemone after his untimely death; and the ghost of Ceyx reaching his beloved Alcyone, with both transformed into birds.

Through readings in Latin, students will immerse themselves in the original verses, appreciating their beauty and meaning. Detailed explanations and annotations in Latin will provide tools to interpret and teach these timeless literary gems in a creative and engaging way, connecting the Latin texts with their most celebrated artistic interpretations.

 


Program schedule

 

Topic
I. Daphne and Apollo

Friday, 14 February, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (1)

Quiz (1)

 

II. Echo and Narcissus

Friday, 21st February, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (2)

Quiz (2)

III. Pyramus and Thisbe

Friday, 28th February, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (3)

Quiz (3)

IV. Salmacis and Hermaphroditus

Friday, 7th March, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (4)

Quiz (4)

V. Philemon and Baucis

Friday, 14th March, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (5)

Quiz (5)

VI. Pygmalion and Galatea

Friday 21st March, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (6)

Quiz (6)

VII. Venus and Adonis

Friday 28th March, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (7)

Quiz (7)

VIII. Ceyx and Alcyone
Friday, 4th April, h. 18:00-19:15 CET

Booklet (8)

Quiz (8)

 

     

     

    • Latin Reading

    Ten hours of lessons with analysis of approximately one thousand verses from Ovid to appreciate both style and content.

     

    • Latin Commentar

    Each myth will be explained, discussed, and annotated entirely in Latin, offering full immersion in the language.

     

    • Art and Culture

    Connections with masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art will enrich the learning experience.

     

    • Interaction with Instructors

    In the final part of each lesson, students can engage with the instructor, ask questions, and request further explanations.

     

    • Teaching Materials

    The registration fee includes self-assessment exercises and a PDF book containing the texts read in class, which can be printed and used for taking notes on the Latin explanations provided by the instructor.

     

    • Intended course audience

    Teachers, students and all lovers of the ancient world and of the Renaissance.

     

    • Course materials

    Live lessons, recordings, booklets with texts, and assessment tests for each lesson.

     

    • Where and course duration

    The lesson recordings, texts, and exercises will be available for six months from the time of enrollment.

     

    • Language

    Latin.

     

    • Level

    Intermediate or advanced.

     

    • Professional development credit

    At the end of the course, a certificate of participation will be issued on request.

     

    • Registration fee

    €128

     

    • Course registration and Availability to Recorded Sessions

    Upon successfully registering for the course, you will receive an email with the credentials for access to the virtual classroom within 24 hours.