Ovid
The Roman poet Ovid from an engraving.
The Roman poet Ovid from an engraving.
BornMarch 20, 43 BC
Sulmo
Died17 AD
Tomis
OccupationPoet

Publius Ovidius Naso. better known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was an Ancient Roman poet. He was born on March 20, 43 BC in Sulmona, then called Sulmo. People today do not know when he died. It was probably either 17 AD or 18 AD.[1] He died in Tomis, which is modern-day Constanţa in Romania.

With Virgil and Horace he is considered among the three great poets of Latin literature. Ovid usually wrote in verses. Ovid was the most widely read classical author in medieval times and the Renaissance.[2]

Works

Engraved frontispiece of George Sandys' 1632 London edition of Ovids Metamorphoses Englished.

Works by Ovid (with approximate dates of publication)

Lost works, or works by other poets

References

  1. Hieronimus notes for the year 18 AD: Ovidius poeta in exilio diem obiit et iuxta oppidum Tomos sepelitur (Ovid the poet died in exile and is buried next to the (fortification/castle) Tomis). Some editions of his work also have 16 or 17 noted instead of 18.
  2. March, Jennifer (2009). The Penguin Book of Classical Myths. Penguin Books. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-141-02077-8.