# Ovid — Bulfinch’s Mythology character guide

> Ovid in Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Virgil, the Sibyl, the Cumaean Sibyl

**First appearance:** 0004-i-introduction

## Who they are

Roman poet whose Metamorphoses is a major source for many myths in this book.

## In the story

### [The Myrmidons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-myrmidons)

Author who copied the description of the plague from Thucydides' account of the plague of Athens.

### [The Camenae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-camenae)

Referenced indirectly through the mythological tradition of the Camenae and Egeria, though not named in the excerpt.

### [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/antigone)

Soothsayer consulted by Eteocles; he declares that victory will fall to Thebes if Menoeceus sacrifices himself.

### [Thamyris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/thamyris)

Referenced as the source for the story of Thamyris challenging the Muses.

### [XXXII: The Infernal Regions—The Sibyl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxii-the-infernal-regions-the-sibyl)

The Cumaean Sibyl, of whom Ovid and Virgil write, is the most celebrated of the Sibyls; Ovid's story of her life protracted to one thousand years is referenced.

### [The Infernal Regions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-infernal-regions)

The Sibyl, a prophetic figure, guides Aeneas through the underworld, explaining the regions and the fates of the souls.

### [The Sibyl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-sibyl)

Ovid is referenced as the author who writes of the Cumaean Sibyl's life protracted to one thousand years.

### [XXXIV: Pythagoras—Egyptian Deities—Oracles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxiv-pythagoras-egyptian-deities-oracles)

Roman poet; his works are quoted to illustrate the Pythagorean doctrine of metempsychosis.

### [Pythagoras](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/pythagoras)

Ovid is quoted extensively, presenting Pythagoras's teachings on metempsychosis and the immortality of the soul.

### [Origin of Mythology—Statues of Gods and Goddesses—Poets of Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxv-origin-of-mythology-statues-of-gods-and-goddesses-poets-of-mythology)

Discussed as a poet of mythology, author of the Metamorphoses, with a translation of his closing lines predicting the poem's immortality.

### [Ovid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ovid)

Ovid (Naso) is the central figure of the chapter; his life, exile, and poetic works are described.

### [XXXVI: Modern Monsters—The Phoenix—Basilisk—Unicorn—Salamander](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/xxxvi-modern-monsters-the-phoenix-basilisk-unicorn-salamander)

Ovid is cited as the primary source for the story of the Phoenix, describing its self-reproduction and journey to Heliopolis.

### [The Phoenix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/the-phoenix)

Ovid is the primary source for the myth of the Phoenix, describing its life cycle and self-reproduction.

### [O](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/o)

Latin poet, author of the Metamorphoses.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters/ovid
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/characters