Metamorphoses

Metamorphoses is a collection of myths and legends written by Ovid in 43 B.C.E. The book tells the stories of
the transformations of gods, heroes, and creatures in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. The tales range from
the creation of the world to the deification of Julius Caesar. Metamorphoses continues to be a popular work of
literature, reflecting the timeless themes of love, loss, and transformation.
Orpheus was a legendary musician in ancient Greece who was known for his incredible talent with a lyre. He
fell in love with Eurydice, a beautiful woman, and the two of them were married. Unfortunately, on their
wedding day, Eurydice was bitten by a serpent and died. Orpheus was devastated and decided to journey to the
underworld to bring her back to the land of the living. With his music, he was able to charm the guards of the
underworld and even move the heart of Hades, the ruler of the underworld. Hades agreed to let Eurydice return
to the land of the living, but with one condition: Orpheus was not to look back at Eurydice until they had both
left the underworld. Orpheus and Eurydice began their journey back, but Orpheus was so filled with fear that
Eurydice might disappear again that he couldn't resist looking back to make sure she was still there. As soon as
he looked back, Eurydice disappeared, lost to him forever. Orpheus was inconsolable and roamed the earth,
playing his music and telling the story of his love for Eurydice. Eventually, he died, but his music lived on and
was said to still have the power to move even the gods to tears.
Orpheus sings a series of song:
ABOUT: Cyparissus
Cyparissus was a young boy who lived in ancient Greece and was known for his love for nature and animals.
He had a pet deer that he loved more than anything in the world. One day, while playing with his deer,
Cyparissus accidentally killed it with a javelin. He was devastated by his mistake and couldn't stop grieving for
his beloved pet. The gods, moved by his sadness, Apollo transformed him into a cypress tree, which is still
associated with mourning to this day. From then on, Cyparissus lived forever, still mourning the loss of his pet,
and reminding all who saw him of the tragedy that can come from carelessness.
ABOUT: Jove/Zeus and Ganymede
Jove, the powerful king of the gods, had always been known for his strength and dominance. But one day, he
laid eyes on the beautiful Ganymede, a mortal prince known for his grace and beauty. Jove was immediately
smitten and couldn't resist his feelings for the young prince. He appeared to Ganymede in the form of an eagle
and carried him away to Mount Olympus where he made him his cupbearer, serving him the nectar of the gods.
Ganymede was not only the most beautiful but also the wisest and the kindest, which made Jove fall even more
deeply in love with him. The love between the king of the gods and the mortal prince was a topic of
conversation among the gods and mortals, but it was a love that flourished and lasted for eternity.
ABOUT: Apollo and Hyacinthus
Apollo was the god of sun and music, known for his beauty and athletic prowess. One day, he met a mortal
named Hyacinthus, who was equally stunning and athletic. The two became fast friends and spent much time
together, practicing their skills and enjoying each other's company. However, one day while playing a game of
discus, Apollo accidentally threw the discus too hard and it hit Hyacinthus, killing him instantly. Overcome with
grief, Apollo transformed Hyacinthus into a beautiful flower, which still blooms every year in his honor. This
tragedy showed Apollo's immense love and devotion towards Hyacinthus, as well as his power to preserve the
memory of his beloved friend. The story of Apollo and Hyacinthus remains a touching tale of love and loss,
reminding us of the beauty and fragility of life.
ABOUT: Propoetides of Amathus
Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Amathus, there lived a group of priestesses known as the Propoetides.
These women were renowned for their beauty and devotion to the goddess Venus. However, their practices were
far from conventional. Whenever a visitor would visit Amathus, the Propoetides would perform a ritual sacrifice
in honor of Venus. They would take the blood of the visitor and use it as an offering to appease the goddess.
Venus, however, was not pleased with these sacrifices. She felt that the Propoetides were desecrating the
sanctity of life and that their actions were an affront to the gods. In her anger, she cursed the women, causing
them to become the first prostitutes. From that day forward, the Propoetides were shunned by society and were
forced to live a life of shame and degradation. They were no longer worshipped or respected as they once were.
But, they still continued to offer the blood of visitors to Venus as a way to appease her wrath and seek
redemption. The story of the Propoetides of Amathus serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of
angering the gods and violating the sanctity of life.

ABOUT: Pygmalion and Galatea

Pygmalion was a famous sculptor who lived in ancient Greece. He was known for his incredible skill and talent
in creating lifelike sculptures. One day, Pygmalion created a beautiful statue of a woman named Galatea. He
was so enamored with her that he fell in love with her. He spent every day admiring her, wishing that she was
real. One day, the goddess Aphrodite heard of Pygmalion's love for Galatea. She was touched by his devotion
and decided to grant his wish. She breathed life into Galatea, turning her into a real woman. Pygmalion was
overjoyed and the two were soon married. From that day forward, Pygmalion and Galatea lived a happy life
together, with Pygmalion cherishing his wife every day. The two were a symbol of true love and devotion, and
their story became a legend that was passed down from generation to generation.
ABOUT: Myyrha and Cinyras
Myrrha was a beautiful young woman who lived in the ancient kingdom of Cyprus. She was the daughter of the
king, and her beauty and grace were renowned throughout the land. One day, Myrrha was visited by the god of
love, Aphrodite, who inspired her with a strong desire for her own father, King Cinyras. Myrrha was horrified
by her feelings, but she could not resist them. She disguised herself as a servant and snuck into her father's
bedchamber at night. King Cinyras was unaware of his daughter's identity, and the two of them had a secret
affair that lasted for many nights. Eventually, Myrrha's pregnancy was discovered, and Cinyras was horrified to
learn that he had been sleeping with his own daughter. In a fit of rage, he chased after Myrrha with a sword, but
she was turned into a tree by the gods to protect her from her father's wrath. From the trunk of the tree, a new
life was born - Adonis, the handsome and beloved god of beauty and desire. Myrrha's tragic story became a
legend, a cautionary tale of love and desire that was passed down from generation to generation.
ABOUT: Adonis and Venus/Aphrodite
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful goddess named Venus who ruled over love and beauty. One day, Cupid,
the mischievous god of love, accidentally pricked Venus with one of his arrows. As a result, she fell deeply in
love with Adonis, a handsome mortal. Venus couldn't resist spending every moment with him and would tell
him tales of Atalanta, a beautiful and swift runner. One day, a mortal named Hippomenes came to Venus seeking
her help to win Atalanta's heart. Venus obliged and gave him three golden apples to use in the race against
Atalanta. But when Hippomenes won the race, he failed to thank Venus for her help. This made Venus so angry
that she punished him and Atalanta by turning them into lions. Unfortunately, Adonis' love affair with Venus did
not end well. While hunting, he was gored by a wild boar and died in Venus' arms. Venus was inconsolable and
cried tears of pure gold. In memory of Adonis, she created the anemone flower and made sure that it would
bloom every year as a reminder of her love for him. And so the story of Venus and Adonis came to an end, a tale
of love, beauty, and tragedy that has been told for centuries.