Ovid Times and Reasons A New Translation of Fasti [Hardcover]

Ovid'sFasti, based on the festivals of the Roman year, is a brilliantly varied and original poem by one of the world's greatest storytellers, written in the late years of the emperor Augustus and cut short (only six books of the planned twelve were written) when the emperor sent the poet into exile. Its tone ranges from tragedy to farce, and its subject matter from astronomy and obscure ritual to Roman history and Greek mythology. Among the stories Ovid tells at length are Arion and the dolphin, the rape of Lucretia, the adventures of Dido's sister, the Great Mother's journey to Rome, the killing of Remus, the bloodsucking birds, and the murderous daughter of King Servius. The poem has been unjustly neglected until recently, and this accurate prose translation into modern English, with a scene-setting Introduction, will enable readers to appreciate its subtleties.

Introduction
Note on the Text and Translation
Select Bibliography
Book 1: January
Book 2: February
Book 3: March
Book 4: April
Book 5: May
Book 6: June
Explanatory Notes
Glossary
Index of Names

[T]he Wiseman's can justly claim to have rendered 'what Ovid says' into English more precisely and faithfully than Frazer or any of their recent peers. The reader who prizes such qualities in a translation can scarcely go wrong with this welcome new edition of Ovid's resurrected masterpiece. --BrynMawr Classical Review

Peter Wisemanis Emeritus Professor of Classics, University of Exeter