So many works of art refer, in a way or another, to Ovid's Metamorphoses. In this course, you'll become familiar with some of the most memorable stories in this masterpiece and begin to understand why its stories are - and have been - so universally fascinating and influential.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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A short course examining one of the masterpieces of Latin literature, the idiosyncratic epic poem Metamorphoses, which offers a sweeping history of the world from its creation to the time of the emperor Augustus. Ovid’s narrative moves seamlessly through time and space, with transformation the common denominator of the stories he and his internal narrators tell. In this world of constant flux, everything changes shape: gods disguise themselves as animals; humans are transformed into birds, flowers, trees, and stones; and the landscape is regularly renewed.
What will we cover?
We will read a selection of key episodes from the Metamorphoses in English translation, and consider their themes, characterisation, style, and influence on later literature and art.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
discuss the themes emerging from some of its stories;
appreciate Ovid's style
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is opening to everyone with an interest in Latin literature and does not require any previous knowledge.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Reading followed by discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bring writing material. Recommended text: Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by David Raeburn; Penguin Classics, 2004.
Dr Nikoletta Manioti teaches Classical Greek and Latin. Originally from Thessaloniki, Greece, she has a PhD in Classics from the University of Durham. Before coming to City Lit she held academic positions at the University of St Andrews (2012-17 and 2018-2021), at King's College London (2017-18), Birkbeck, University of London (2017-18), and Royal Holloway, University of London (2022-23). She is interested in all aspects of the ancient world, but her research focuses on the family and the representation of space in literature. She is currently writing a book on sisters in 1st century BC Rome. Nikoletta loves teaching in general, and Greek and Latin in particular. She loves learning languages too: she is fluent in Italian; reads French, German, and Spanish; and knows the basics of Portuguese and Swedish.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/tales-of-transformation-ovid-s-metamorphoses240588Tales of transformation: Ovid’s Metamorphoseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/a/tales-of-transformation-ovid-s-metamorphoses-rt243-1200.jpg9999GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Classical literature/Courses/Online courses228511771191147417311228511771191So many works of art refer, in a way or another, to Ovid's Metamorphoses. In this course, you'll become familiar with some of the most memorable stories in this masterpiece and begin to understand why its stories are - and have been - so universally fascinating and influential.352991602Tales of transformation: Ovid’s Metamorphoses9999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/a/tales-of-transformation-ovid-s-metamorphoses-rt243-1200_4.jpgInStockEveningThuOnlineNo longer available5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesRT2439999Tales of transformation: Ovid’s Metamorphoses996499Nikoletta Maniotitales-of-transformation-ovid-s-metamorphoses/rt243-2526So many works of art refer, in a way or another, to Ovid's Metamorphoses. In this course, you'll become familiar with some of the most memorable stories in this masterpiece and begin to understand why its stories are - and have been - so universally fascinating and influential.0015-FullStillOpen|2026-05-07 00:00:00A short course examining one of the masterpieces of Latin literature, the idiosyncratic epic poem Metamorphoses, which offers a sweeping history of the world from its creation to the time of the emperor Augustus. Ovid’s narrative moves seamlessly through time and space, with transformation the common denominator of the stories he and his internal narrators tell. In this world of constant flux, everything changes shape: gods disguise themselves as animals; humans are transformed into birds, flowers, trees, and stones; and the landscape is regularly renewed.So many works of art refer, in a way or another, to Ovid's Metamorphoses. In this course, you'll become familiar with some of the most memorable stories in this masterpiece and begin to understand why its stories are - and have been - so universally fascinating and influential.We will read a selection of key episodes from the Metamorphoses in English translation, and consider their themes, characterisation, style, and influence on later literature and art.<ul><li>discuss the themes emerging from some of its stories;</li><li>appreciate Ovid's style</li></ul>This course is opening to everyone with an interest in Latin literature and does not require any previous knowledge.Reading followed by discussion.Bring writing material. <br/>Recommended text: Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by David Raeburn; Penguin Classics, 2004.Other ancient literature classes.Ancient civilisationsClassical literaturevirtual999964RT243NONEThu07/05/26 - 04/06/2618:15 - 19:4518:1519:455 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksEveningWeekdayOnlineOnlineNikoletta ManiotiBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNo longer available2026-05-07T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities9999Tales of transformation: Ovid’s Metamorphosestales-of-transformation-ovid-s-metamorphoses/rt243-2526So many works of art refer, in a way or another, to Ovid's Metamorphoses. In this course, you'll become familiar with some of the most memorable stories in this masterpiece and begin to understand why its stories are - and have been - so universally fascinating and influential.0015-FullStillOpen|2026-05-07 00:00:00A short course examining one of the masterpieces of Latin literature, the idiosyncratic epic poem Metamorphoses, which offers a sweeping history of the world from its creation to the time of the emperor Augustus. Ovid’s narrative moves seamlessly through time and space, with transformation the common denominator of the stories he and his internal narrators tell. In this world of constant flux, everything changes shape: gods disguise themselves as animals; humans are transformed into birds, flowers, trees, and stones; and the landscape is regularly renewed.So many works of art refer, in a way or another, to Ovid's Metamorphoses. In this course, you'll become familiar with some of the most memorable stories in this masterpiece and begin to understand why its stories are - and have been - so universally fascinating and influential.We will read a selection of key episodes from the Metamorphoses in English translation, and consider their themes, characterisation, style, and influence on later literature and art.<ul><li>discuss the themes emerging from some of its stories;</li><li>appreciate Ovid's style</li></ul>This course is opening to everyone with an interest in Latin literature and does not require any previous knowledge.Reading followed by discussion.Bring writing material. <br/>Recommended text: Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by David Raeburn; Penguin Classics, 2004.Other ancient literature classes.Ancient civilisationsClassical literatureconfigurable
14741191Classical literaturehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/ancient-civilisations/classical-literature1/2/285/1177/1191/14741/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Ancient civilisations/Classical literature
