Why a poet's scandalously suggestive poetry earned the wrath of a Roman emperor

Ovid was born on March 20, 43 BCE, in Sulmo, a small town approximately 90 miles from Rome.

His life unfolded during a period of monumental change in Rome, transitioning from a Republic to an Empire under Augustus.

Ovid came from a well-to-do equestrian family, and his upbringing was typical of the Roman elite, focusing on rhetoric and public speaking in preparation for a career in public service.

However, Ovid's passion lay not in politics but in poetry. His early works, such as the "Amores" (Loves), published around 16 BCE, showcased his talent for elegiac couplets and set him on the path to literary fame.

Ovid's literary career flourished in the vibrant cultural landscape of Augustan Rome. His most famous work, "Metamorphoses," a 15-book epic written in dactylic hexameter, was likely completed around 8 CE.

This work, weaving together over 250 myths into a seamless narrative about transformation, would not only secure his place in the annals of literature but also influence countless artists and writers for millennia.

Alongside "Metamorphoses," Ovid produced other significant works, including "Fasti," a poetic treatment of the Roman calendar, and "Heroides," a series of fictional letters from mythological heroines to their lovers.

During the early life of Ovid, the Roman Empire was undergoing a significant transformation.

The late Republic, a period marked by political instability and civil wars, had given way to the rule of Augustus, establishing the Roman Empire.

Augustus, known as Octavian before his title change in 27 BCE, emerged victorious from the tumultuous era following the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.

His defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BCE and his subsequent consolidation of power marked the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Roman Empire.

Augustus' reign, which lasted until his death in 14 CE, was characterized by a series of reforms aimed at stabilizing and revitalizing Rome.

He initiated significant administrative, military, and social reforms that transformed the political landscape of Rome.

Augustus' policies were geared towards restoring traditional Roman values and morals, which he felt had eroded during the years of civil strife.

This moral and cultural renaissance was reflected in the literature, art, and architecture of the period, often funded and encouraged by Augustus himself.

However, this period was also marked by a certain degree of political repression.

Augustus maintained his power through a carefully managed image of a benevolent ruler, while simultaneously exercising absolute control over the Senate and the military.

The political atmosphere was one where dissent was not tolerated, and Augustus' moral reforms often had a puritanical edge, leading to the censorship of literature and art that contradicted his ideals.

Following the "Amores," Ovid continued to build his reputation with "Ars Amatoria" (The Art of Love), a didactic poem that offers instructions on love and seduction.

This work, often humorous and ironic, was both celebrated and notorious for its explicit content and irreverent tone.

It was a bold move in the Augustan Rome, where moral and social reforms were being heavily promoted by the emperor.

"Ars Amatoria" displayed Ovid's extraordinary skill in blending poetic artistry with provocative subject matter, but it also contributed to the controversies that would later surround him.

Ovid attributes his exile to "carmen et error," which translates to "a poem and a mistake," but the exact nature of both the poem and the mistake has been the subject of much speculation and debate among scholars.

The "carmen" (poem) is widely believed to be his work "Ars Amatoria" (The Art of Love).

In this context, "Ars Amatoria," with its explicit and playful treatment of extramarital affairs and seduction, could have been seen as a direct challenge to the emperor's social policies.

The timing of Ovid's exile, coming several years after the publication of "Ars Amatoria," suggests that the poem was not the sole reason for his banishment, but it likely played a significant role.

The "error," on the other hand, remains a mystery. Ovid never clarified what this mistake was, leading to various theories.

Some speculate that Ovid was involved in or privy to a scandal at the imperial court.

There are suggestions that he may have become entangled in the affairs of Augustus' granddaughter, Julia, who was also exiled around the same time for moral transgressions.

However, there is no concrete evidence to support these theories, and they remain conjecture.

The lack of clear information from historical records has led to the belief that Ovid's exile was not solely due to his literary works but may have involved a more complex political or personal scandal. 

In 8 BCE, Ovid was banished to Tomis, a remote and harsh outpost on the Black Sea, now part of modern-day Romania.

It was on the fringes of the Roman Empire, far from the sophisticated urban life of Rome, and was considered a place of barbarism and discomfort by Roman standards.

The poet, accustomed to the luxuries and intellectual stimulation of Rome, found himself in a land with a harsh climate, unfamiliar customs, and a language he did not understand.

This drastic change in circumstances deeply affected Ovid, and his sense of isolation and longing for Rome permeated his later works.

During his time in exile, Ovid continued to write, producing works that were markedly different in tone from his earlier, more playful pieces.

His poetry from this period is filled with expressions of sorrow, regret, and appeals for leniency from Augustus.

Works such as "Tristia" (Sorrows) and "Epistulae ex Ponto" (Letters from the Black Sea) offer a poignant glimpse into his life in exile.

These works are characterized by a personal and plaintive style, as Ovid laments his separation from his family, his loss of status, and his longing for his beloved Rome.

His writing from this period is rich in its exploration of themes like exile, loss, and the cruelty of fate.

These works also provide valuable insights into the life of Roman exiles, the political climate of the time, and the nature of Augustus' regime.

Ovid's letters and poems from exile were his means of maintaining a connection with his homeland and his literary audience.

He often expressed hope that his work would be read in Rome and that his reputation as a poet would be restored.

Ovid's exile lasted until his death, which is believed to have occurred in 17 or 18 CE. He never returned to Rome, despite his repeated pleas for mercy and his attempts to reconcile with Augustus and later with Augustus' successor, Tiberius.