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.
By:
Ovid Translated by:
Harold Isbell Imprint: Penguin Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 198mm,
Width: 129mm,
Spine: 17mm
Weight: 213g ISBN:9780140423556 ISBN 10: 0140423559 Pages: 288 Publication Date:25 November 2004 Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
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.