The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidius Naso: Elucidated by an Analysis and Explanation of the Fables, Together With English Notes, Historical, Mythological, and Critical, and Illustrated by Pictorial Em

Excerpt from The Metamorphoses of Publius Ovidius Naso Ovid was descended from an ancient and distinguished family Of the eques trian order, and enjoyed all the advantages of mental cultivation which rank and wealth could afford At an early age, he was brought to Rome with an elder brother, for the purpose of being instructed In the arts, learning, and accomplish ments of the capital, and was for some time under the care of Plotius Grippus. He soon discovered a fondness for poetry, and through love of the Muses, often relaxed his application to other literary studies In which he was engaged. But his father, who appears to have had but little relish for belles-lettres, and was anxious that his son Should become an accomplished orator and patron, and by eminence in judicial a?fairs, arrive ‘at civic distinction, induced him to devote himself for a time to the study of eloquence and Roman law.