Metamorphoses · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Metamorphoses by Ovid.
Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.
Chapter 1
Book I
The chapter begins with the creation of the world from Chaos, the ordering of the universe, and the creation of animals and humans. It then describes the Four Ages of Man, the Giants' War, and Jupiter's decision to punish humanity for its wickedness, culminating in the story of Lycaon's transformation into a wolf and the great flood that destroys all but Deucalion and Pyrrha.
Chapter 2
Creation of the World
The chapter describes the formation of the world from Chaos by a divine power, establishing the harmonious order of the universe. It details the separation of earth, air, fire, and water, the creation of the zones, winds, stars, and the filling of the world with gods, beasts, birds, and fish. Finally, man is created as a superior being, looking upward to the heavens.
Chapter 3
Golden Age
During the reign of Saturn, humanity lives in a state of primeval happiness, guided by uncorrupted reason and innate goodness, without laws, punishment, or fear. The earth provides abundantly without cultivation, and there is no war, travel, or toil—only peace, simplicity, and natural abundance.
Chapter 4
Silver Age
The Silver Age begins after Saturn's banishment and Jove's ascension. The earth degenerates, seasons become distinct, and mortals must labor and seek shelter from harsh weather, marking a decline from the Golden Age.
Chapter 5
Brazen Age
The Brazen Age is introduced as the third age of mankind, characterized by a warlike and aggressive nature, though not yet impious.
Free preview
158 more chapter companions sit beside the text in BetterReads — open a free preview to unlock the rest.
158 more companions → free preview- Chapter 6Iron Age
- Chapter 7Giants' War
- Chapter 8Transformation of Daphne Into a Laurel
- Chapter 9Transformation of Io Into a Heifer, and the Eyes of Argus Into a Peacock’s Train
- Chapter 10Transformation of Syrinx Into Reeds
- Chapter 11Book II
- Chapter 12Story of Phaeton
- Chapter 13Phaeton's Sisters Transformed Into Trees
- Chapter 14Transformation of Cycnus Into a Swan
- Chapter 15Story of Calisto
- Chapter 16Story of Coronis, and Birth of Esculapius
- Chapter 17Ocyrrhoe Transformed to a Mare
- Chapter 18Transformation of Battus to a Touchstone
- Chapter 19Story of Aglauros Transformed Into a Statue
- Chapter 20Europa's Rape
- Chapter 21Book III
- Chapter 22Story of Cadmus
- Chapter 23Transformation of Actaeon Into a Stag
- Chapter 24Birth of Bacchus
- Chapter 25Transformation of Echo
- Chapter 26Story of Narcissus
- Chapter 27Story of Pentheus
- Chapter 28Mariners Transformed to Dolphins
- Chapter 29Death of Pentheus
- Chapter 30Book IV
- Chapter 31Story of Alcithoe and Her Sisters
- Chapter 32Story of Pyramus and Thisbe
- Chapter 33Story of Leucothoe and the Sun
- Chapter 34Transformation of Clytie
- Chapter 35Story of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus
- Chapter 36Alcithoe and Her Sisters Transformed to Bats
- Chapter 37Transformation of Ino and Melicerta to Sea-Gods
- Chapter 38Transformation of the Theban Matrons
- Chapter 39Cadmus and His Queen Transformed Into Serpents
- Chapter 40Story of Perseus
- Chapter 41Atlas Transformed to a Mountain
- Chapter 42Andromeda Rescued from the Sea Monster
- Chapter 43Story of Medusa’s Head
- Chapter 44Book V
- Chapter 45Story of Perseus Continued
- Chapter 46Minerva's Interview with the Muses
- Chapter 47Fate of Pyreneus
- Chapter 48Story of the Pierides
- Chapter 49Song of the Pierides
- Chapter 50Song of the Muses
- Chapter 51Rape of Proserpine
- Chapter 52Cyane Dissolves to a Fountain
- Chapter 53Boy Transformed to an Eft
- Chapter 54Transformation of Ascalaphus Into an Owl
- Chapter 55Daughters of Achelous Transformed Into Sirens
- Chapter 56Story of Arethusa
- Chapter 57Transformation of Lyncus
- Chapter 58The Pierides Transformed to Magpies
- Chapter 59Book VI
- Chapter 60Transformation of Arachne Into a Spider
- Chapter 61Story of Niobe
- Chapter 62Transformation of Niobe
- Chapter 63Peasants of Lycia Transformed to Frogs
- Chapter 64Fate of Marsyas
- Chapter 65Story of Pelops
- Chapter 66Story of Tereus, Procne, and Philomela
- Chapter 67Boreas in Love
- Chapter 68Book VII
- Chapter 69Story of Medea and Jason
- Chapter 70Old Aeson Restored to Youth
- Chapter 71Death of Pelias
- Chapter 72Story of Aegeus
- Chapter 73Story of Ants Changed to Men
- Chapter 74Story of Cephalus and Procris
- Chapter 75Book VIII
- Chapter 76Story of Nisus and Scylla
- Chapter 77The Labyrinth
- Chapter 78Story of Daedalus and Icarus
- Chapter 79Story of Meleager and Atalanta
- Chapter 80Transformation of the Naiads
- Chapter 81Perimele Turned Into an Island
- Chapter 82Story of Baucis and Philemon
- Chapter 83Changes of Proteus
- Chapter 84Story of Erisichthon
- Chapter 85Description of Famine
- Chapter 86Transformations of Erisichthon's Daughter
- Chapter 87Book IX
- Chapter 88Story of Achelous and Hercules
- Chapter 89Death of Nessus the Centaur
- Chapter 90Death of Hercules
- Chapter 91Transformation of Lychas Into a Rock
- Chapter 92Apotheosis of Hercules
- Chapter 93Transformation of Galanthis
- Chapter 94Fable of Dryope
- Chapter 95Iolaus Restored to Youth
- Chapter 96Prophecy of Themis
- Chapter 97Debate of the Gods
- Chapter 98Passion of Byblis
- Chapter 99Fable of Iphis and Ianthe
- Chapter 100Book X: Orpheus and Eurydice
- Chapter 101Story of Orpheus and Eurydice
- Chapter 102Fable of Cyparissus
- Chapter 103Hyacinthus Transformed Into a Flower
- Chapter 104Transformations of the Cerastae and Propoetides
- Chapter 105Story of Pygmalion and the Statue
- Chapter 106Story of Venus and Adonis
- Chapter 107Book XI
- Chapter 108Death of Orpheus
- Chapter 109Thracian Women Transformed to Trees
- Chapter 110Fable of Midas
- Chapter 111Building of Troy
- Chapter 112Story of Thetis and Peleus
- Chapter 113Transformation of Daedalion
- Chapter 114A Wolf Turned Into Marble
- Chapter 115Story of Ceyx and Alcyone
- Chapter 116Aesacus Transformed Into a Cormorant
- Chapter 117Book XII
- Chapter 118Trojan War
- Chapter 119House of Fame
- Chapter 120Story of Cycnus
- Chapter 121Story of Caeneus
- Chapter 122Skirmish Between the Centaurs and Lapithites
- Chapter 123Story of Cyllarus and Hylonome
- Chapter 124Caeneus Transformed to an Eagle
- Chapter 125Fate of Periclymenos
- Chapter 126Death of Achilles
- Chapter 127Book XIII
- Chapter 128Speeches of Ajax and Ulysses
- Chapter 129Death of Ajax
- Chapter 130Story of Polyxena and Hecuba
- Chapter 131Funeral of Memnon
- Chapter 132Voyage of Aeneas
- Chapter 133Story of Acis, Polyphemus, and Galatea
- Chapter 134Story of Glaucus and Scylla
- Chapter 135Book XIV
- Chapter 136Transformation of Scylla
- Chapter 137Voyage of Aeneas Continued
- Chapter 138Transformation of Cercopians Into Apes
- Chapter 139Aeneas Descends to Hell
- Chapter 140Story of the Sibyl
- Chapter 141Adventures of Achaemenides
- Chapter 142Adventures of Macareus
- Chapter 143Story of Picus and Canens
- Chapter 144Aeneas Arrives in Italy
- Chapter 145Adventures of Diomedes
- Chapter 146Transformation of Appulus
- Chapter 147Trojan Ships Transformed to Sea Nymphs
- Chapter 148Deification of Aeneas
- Chapter 149Story of Vertumnus and Pomona
- Chapter 150Story of Iphis and Anaxarete
- Chapter 151Latian Line
- Chapter 152Assumption of Romulus
- Chapter 153Assumption of Hersilia
- Chapter 154Book XV
- Chapter 155Pythagorean Philosophy
- Chapter 156Story of Hippolytus
- Chapter 157Egeria Transformed to a Fountain
- Chapter 158Story of Cippus
- Chapter 159Occasion of Esculapius Being Brought to Rome
- Chapter 160Deification of Julius Caesar
- Chapter 161Reign of Augustus, in Which Ovid Flourished
- Chapter 162The Poet Concludes
- Chapter 163Endnotes