Metamorphoses · Chapter
Egeria Transformed to a Fountain explained
Egeria, the wife of Numa, is consumed by grief after her husband's death.
What happens
Egeria, the wife of Numa, is consumed by grief after her husband's death. As she weeps inconsolably, the god Apollo takes pity on her and transforms her into a fountain whose waters flow eternally. The chapter also recounts the miraculous emergence of Tages from a clod of earth, who teaches prophecy to the Etruscans, and a similar wonder involving Romulus's lance taking root and growing into a tree.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Telethusa’s de…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Transformation and Metamorphosis
Egeria is transformed into a fountain by Apollo, and a clod of earth becomes the prophet Tages.
- Mortality and Immortality
Egeria's mortal grief is assuaged by an immortal transformation, and the earth gives birth to a prophetic being.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“The dropping tears her eyes incessant shed, Till pitying Phoebus eased her pious wo, Thaw’d to a spring, whose streams for ever flow.”
Her tears fell without ceasing until Apollo, moved by her devotion, transformed her into a perpetual spring.
Describes Egeria's metamorphosis into a fountain.
“The spreading mass, in former shape deposed, Began to shoot, and arms and legs disclosed, Till, form’d a perfect man, the living mould Oped its new mouth, and future truths foretold.”
The lump of earth expanded, sprouted limbs, and became a fully formed man who began to prophesy.
Depicts the miraculous birth of Tages from a clod of earth.
