How Women Can Use Jealousy and Fear in Love Affairs

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The excerpts from Ovid’s poems in “Ars Amatoria” quoted here suggest that women can use jealousy and fear to fuel love affairs.

Ovid, a famous Roman poet who lived between 43 BCE and 17 CE, wrote “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love). For centuries, his poetry trilogy “Ars Amatoria” has been a classic text on love affairs among educated and noble readers in many countries. Western scholars of the humanities have read and praised Ovid’s texts of “The Art of Love.”

In his poems, Ovid gave love advice to both Roman men and women. He tells them how to get their lovers’ attention, keep them interested, and keep the relationship going. He also tells them how to use the art of love in their relationships with each other.

Is Ovid’s “Art of Love” Still Applicable?

The Romans lived in a different time than we do and had a different way of life. But I think that educated men and women can learn something interesting and useful about love from Ovid’s poetry. I put excerpts from these books on this website for people who want to learn more about how Romans lived and loved in the past. Some of Ovid’s advice about love and relationships is still useful today.

His poetry collection “Ars Amatoria” gives modern men and women good advice on how to find, attract, and keep a partner in love. In his first two books of poetry, Ovid tells men how to talk to, court, and seduce women in relationships. The third book suggests women learn how to be attractive and enticing, make men seduce them, and keep loving relationships with the men running.

Here Is What I Wrote about The Art of Roman Love in my Other Posts

In earlier blog posts, I talked about how Ovid’s poetry can help men in love affairs. These lovely poems are about many different things, such as “how to search for love while at the theatre,” “at the races or circus,” “around the dinner-table and on the beach,” “how to find her,“ and “what is his task.“ Ovid also teaches a Roman man that “triumphs are good to attract a woman.” He advises a man “how to know her,” “how to win her“, “how to captivate a woman,” “how to be attentive to her,”“how to make promises and deceive,” and “how to seduce her.” Ovid explains “how tears, kisses, and taking the lead help in love affairs”.

Furthermore, the blog articles on this website contain Ovid’s wisdom on love for women “how to keep taste and elegance in hair and dress,” “how to appear,” “how to use makeup,” “How to be modestly expressive,” “how to hide defects in appearance,” and “how to beware of false lovers.”

Here are the poems for girls and women from Book III of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria.” Ovid explains how effective it is to utilize jealousy and fear of their lovers in their relationships.

Women May Employ Jealousy and Fear of Their Lovers in Love Affairs

“Let all be betrayed: I’ve unbarred the gates to the enemy:

and let my loyalty be to treacherous betrayal.

What’s easily given nourishes love poorly:

mingle the odd rejection with welcome fun.

Let him lie before the door, crying: ‘Cruel entrance!,

pleading very humbly, threatening a lot too.

We can’t stand sweetness: bitterness renews our taste:

often a yacht sinks swamped by a favourable wind:

this is what bitter wives can’t endure:

their husbands can come to them when they wish:

add a closed door and a hard-mouthed janitor,

saying: ‘You can’t,’ and love will touch you too.

Drop the blunted foils now: fight with blades:

no doubt I’ll be attacked with my own weapons.

Also when the lover you’ve just caught falls into the net,

let him think that only he has access to your room.

Later let him sense a rival, the bed’s shared pact: remove these arts, and love grows old.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Ovid then proceeds with more counsel…

“The horse runs swiftly from the starting gate,

when he has others to pass, and others follow.

Wrongs relight the dying fires, as you wish:

See (I confess!), I don’t love unless I’m hurt.

Still, don’t give cause for grief, excessively,

let the anxious man suspect it, rather than know.

Stir him with a dismal watchman, fictitiously set to guard you,

and the excessively irksome care of a harsh husband.

Pleasure that comes with safety’s less enjoyable:

though you’re freer than Thais, pretend fear.

Though the door’s easier, let him in at the window,

and show signs of fear on your face.

A clever maid should leap up and cry: ‘We’re lost!’

You, hide the trembling youth in any hole.

Still safe loving should be mixed with fright, lest he consider you hardly worth a night.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

You Should Try Young Lovers as Well as Older Lovers

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The article brings in practical quotes for women from Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria,” suggesting trying young lovers as well as older lovers.

Ovid was a distinguished Roman poet who lived from 43 BCE to 17 CE. His “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love) poetry trilogy has been a favorite among educated and noble readers for centuries. Numerous contemporary humanities experts have read and praised Ovid’s “The Art of Love.”

In his poems, Ovid provided Roman men and women with his love advice. He instructs them on how to attract, entice, and maintain a relationship with their lovers. He also instructs them on how to apply the art of love to their sexual relationships.

The Romans lived in a different time period and had a different lifestyle than we do. However, I believe that Ovid’s poetry can teach educated men and women of today something interesting and useful about love. For those interested in learning more about how ancient Romans lived and loved, I have included excerpts from these books on this website. Some of Ovid’s advice applies to contemporary life, love, and relationships.

His poetry collection “Ars Amatoria” provides helpful suggestions to contemporary men and women on how to find, entice, and maintain a partner in a relationship. Ovid’s first two poetry books offer advice for men on how to approach, court, and seduce women. The third book teaches women how to be alluring, lovable, and maintain loving relationships with the men they love.

The Art of Roman Love Shared in my Previous Blog Posts

In previous blog posts, I shared some of Ovid’s poetry-based advice for men. These lovely verses cover a variety of topics, including: “how to search for love while at the theatre,” “at the races or circus,” “around the dinner-table and on the beach,” “how to find her“ and “what is his task.“  Ovid also educates a Roman man that “triumphs are good to attract a woman.” He teaches a man “how to know her,” “how to win her“, “how to captivate a woman,” “how to be attentive to her,”“how to make promises and deceive,” and “seduce her.” Ovid illustrates “how tears, kisses, and taking the lead help in love affairs.”

Furthermore, the articles on this blog include Ovid’s wisdom on love for women “how to keep taste and elegance in hair and dress,” “how to appear,” “how to use makeup,” “How to be modestly expressive,” “how to hide defects in appearance,” and “how to beware of false lovers.”

Here are some poems for girls and women from Book III of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria.” Ovid tells them how important it is to try young lovers as well as older lovers to get their experience of love.

Ovid Tells Women to Try Young Lovers and Older Ones to Learn Love

“No rider rules a horse that’s lately known the reins,

with the same bit as one that’s truly mastered,

nor will the same way serve to captivate

the mind of mature years and of green youth.

This raw recruit, first known of now in love’s campaigns,

who reaches your threshold, a fresh prize,

must know you only, always cling to you alone:

this crop must be surrounded by high hedges.

Keep rivals away: you’ll win while you hold just one:

love and power don’t last long when they’re shared.

Your older warrior loves sensibly and wisely,

suffers much that the beginner won’t endure:

he won’t break the door down, burn it with cruel fire,

attack his mistress’s tender cheeks with his nails,

or rip apart his clothing or his girl’s,

nor will torn hair be a cause of tears.

That suits hot boys, the time of strong desire:

but he’ll bear cruel wounds with calm mind.

He burns, alas, with slow fires, like wet straw,

like new-cut timber on the mountain height.

This love’s more sure: that’s brief and more prolific: snatch the swift fruits, that fly, in your hand.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Women Should Avoid Vices and Favor Poets

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The article includes practical quotes from Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” advising women to avoid vices and favor poets while they consider matters of love.

Ovid was a notable Roman poet who lived between 43 BCE and 17 CE. His poetry trilogy “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love) has been a favorite among educated and aristocratic readers for centuries. Numerous humanities specialists of today have read and praised Ovid’s “The Art of Love.” In his poems, Ovid imparted many of his love recommendations to Roman men and women. He teaches them how to attract, entice, and keep a relationship with their lovers. He also teaches them about the art of love and how to apply it to their sexual relationships.

The Romans lived in a different era and had a different way of life than we do. I believe, however, that Ovid’s poetry can teach today’s educated men and women something interesting and useful about love. This is why I have excerpts from these books posted on this website for those interested in learning more about how ancient Romans lived and loved. Some of Ovid’s counsels are applicable to modern life, love, and relationships.

His poetry collection “Ars Amatoria” offers practical advice to modern men and women on how to find, attract, and keep a partner in a relationship. The first two books of Ovid’s poetry contain guidance for men on how to approach, court, and entice women. The third book uses poetic wisdom to teach women how to be attractive, lovable, and maintain loving relationships with the men they love.

I’ve previously shared some of Ovid’s poetry-based advice for men in previous blog posts. Among the topics covered in these lovely verses are the following: “how to find her“, “what is his task,” “how to search for love while at the theatre,” “at the races or circus,” and “around the dinner-table and on the beach.” Ovid also teaches a Roman man that “triumphs are good to attract a woman.” He instructs a man “how to win her“, “how to know her,” “how to be attentive to her“,  “how to make promises and deceive,” “how to captivate a woman and “seduce her.” Ovid explains “how tears, kisses, and taking the lead help in love affairs”.

Besides, this blog’s articles include Ovid’s wisdom of love for women on “how to appear,” “how to keep taste and elegance in hair and dress,” “how to use makeup,” “how to hide defects in appearance,” “How to be modestly expressive,” and “how to beware of false lovers.”

Here are some new poetic quotations for girls and women from Book III of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria.” Ovid instructs them on how to avoid vice and favor poets.

Here Is What Ovid Advises Women to Avoid the Vices and Favor the Poets

“If I might turn from lesser to greater things,

and spread the full expanse of swelling sail,

it’s important to banish looks of anger from your face:

bright peace suits human beings, anger the wild beast.

Anger swells the face: the veins darken with blood:

the eyes flash more savagely than the Gorgon’s.

‘Away with you, flute, you’re not worth all that,’

said Pallas when she saw her face in the water.

You too if you looked in the mirror in your anger,

that girl would scarcely know her own face.

Pride does no less harm to your looks:

love is attracted to friendly eyes.

We hate (believe the expert) extravagant disdain:

a silent face often sows the seeds of our dislike.

Glance at a glance, smile tenderly at a smile:

he nods, you too return the signal you received.

When he’s practised, so, the boy leaves the foils,

and takes his sharp arrows from his quiver.

We hate sad girls too: let Ajax choose Tecmessa:

a happy girl charms us cheerful people.

I’d never ask you, Andromache, or you, Tecmessa

while there’s another lover for me than you.

I find it hard to believe, though I’m forced to by your children,

that you ever slept with your husbands.

Do you suppose that gloomy wife ever said to Ajax:

‘Light of my life’: or the words that usually delight a man?

Who’ll prevent me using great examples for little things,

why should we be afraid of the leader’s name?

Our good leader trusts those commanders with a squad,

these with the cavalry, that man to guard the standard:

You too should judge what each of us is good for, and place each one in his proper role.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Then Ovid Continues His Verses…

“The rich give gifts: the lawyer appears as promised:

often he pleads a client’s case that must be heard:

We who make songs, can only send you songs:

we are the choir here best suited above all to love.

We can make beauties that please us widely known:

Nemesis has a name, and Cynthia has:

you’ll have heard of Lycoris from East to West:

and many ask who my Corinna is.

Add that guile is absent from the sacred poets,

and our art too fashions our characters.

Ambition and desire for possession don’t touch us:

the shady couch is cherished, the forum scorned.

But we’re easily caught, torn by powerful passions,

and we know too well how to love with perfect faith.

No doubt our minds are sweetened by gentle art,

and our natures are consistent with our studies.

Girls, be kind to the poets of Helicon:

there’s divinity in them, and they’re the Muses’ friends.

There’s a god in us, and our dealings are with the heavens:

this inspiration comes from ethereal heights.

It’s a sin to hope for gifts from the poet:

ah me! No girl’s afraid of that sin.

Still hide it, don’t look greedy at first sight: new love will balk when it sees the snare.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Women Should Beware of False Lovers

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The article contains practical quotations from Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” advising women to avoid false lovers.

Ovid was a well-known Roman poet who lived from 43 BCE to 17 CE. His poetry trilogy “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love) has been popular among educated and noble individuals for centuries. Numerous contemporary humanities experts have read and praised Ovid’s “The Art of Love.” In his poems, Ovid imparted to Roman men and women his love advice. He instructs them on how to attract, entice, and maintain a romantic relationship. He also instructs them on how to apply the art of love to their romantic relationships.

The Romans lived in a different time than we do and had a different way of life. But I think that Ovid’s poetry collections can teach educated men and women something interesting and useful about love today. This is why I put excerpts from these books on this website for people who want to learn more about how people lived and loved in ancient Rome.

The poetry collection “Ars Amatoria” provides contemporary men and women with practical advice on how to find, attract, and maintain a romantic partner. The first two books of this collection of poetry by Ovid contain advice for men on how to approach, court, and entice women. The third book teaches women how to be attractive, lovable, and maintain loving relationships with men through the use of poetic wisdom.

I’ve previously shared some of Ovid’s poetry-based advice for men in previous blog posts. Among the topics covered in these lovely verses are the following: “how to find her“, “search for love while walking“, “triumphs that are good to attract a woman“, “how to win her“, “how to be attentive to her“, and “how to make promises and deceive.”

Besides, this blog’s articles include Ovid’s wisdom of love for women on “how to appear,” “how to keep taste and elegance in hair and dress,” “how to use makeup,” “how to hide defects in appearance,” and “how to be modestly expressive.”

Here are some new poetic quotes from Book III of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria,” addressed to girls and women. Ovid teaches them to be modest in their laughter and movements and to be moderately expressive women.

Ovid Advises Women to Beware of False Lovers

“Avoid those men who profess to looks and culture,

who keep their hair carefully in place.

What they tell you they’ve told a thousand girls:

their love wanders and lingers in no one place.

Woman, what can you do with a man more delicate than you,

and one perhaps who has more lovers too?

You’ll scarcely credit it, but credit this: Troy would remain,

if Cassandra’s warnings had been heeded.

Some will attack you with a lying pretence of love,

and through that opening seek a shameful gain.

But don’t be tricked by hair gleaming with liquid nard,

or short tongues pressed into their creases:

don’t be ensnared by a toga of finest threads,

or that there’s a ring on every finger.

Perhaps the best dressed among them all’s a thief,

and burns with love of your finery.

‘Give it me back!’ the girl who’s robbed will often cry,

‘Give it me back!’ at the top of her voice in the cattle-market.

Venus, from your temple, all glittering with gold,

you calmly watch the quarrel, and you, Appian nymphs.

There are names known for a certain sort of reputation too,

they’re guilty of deceiving many lovers.

Learn from other’s grief to fear your own:

don’t let the door be opened to lying men.

Athenian girls, beware of trusting Theseus’s oaths:

those gods he calls to witness, he’s called on before.

And you, Demophoon, heir to Theseus’s crimes,

no honour remains to you, with Phyllis left behind.

If they promise truly, promise in as many words:

and if they give, you give the joys that were agreed.

She might as well put out the sleepless Vestal’s fire,

and snatch the holy relics from your Temple, Ino,

and give her man hemlock and monkshood crushed together, as deny him sex if she’s received his gifts.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

It Is Sensible to Be a Modestly Expressive Woman

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The article presents sensible quotes from Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” with advice to be a modestly expressive woman in laughter and movements.

Ovid was a well-known poet who lived in ancient Rome from 43 BCE to 17 CE. For centuries, his poetry trilogy “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love) has been popular among educated and noble people. Many modern humanities scholars have read and highly praised Ovid’s “The Art of Love.” In his poems, Ovid shared his wisdom on love matters with Roman men and women. He advises them on how to attract, entice affection, and keep a relationship with a partner. He also teaches them how to use the art of love in their love affairs.

The Romans lived in a different era and led a different lifestyle than we do today. But I believe that educated men and women today can learn something interesting and useful about love from Ovid’s poetry collections. This is why I’ve included excerpts from these books on this website for those interested in learning more about how ancient Romans lived and loved.

The poetry collection “Ars Amatoria” offers contemporary men and women sensible guidance on how to find, attract, and keep a partner in a relationship. The first two books of this poetry collection by Ovid offer suggestions to men on how to approach, court, and entice women. The third book teaches women the poetic wisdom of how to be attractive, lovable, and maintain loving relationships with men.

The Art of Roman Love Shared in my Previous Blog Posts

In previous blog posts, I shared some of Ovid’s poetry-based advice for men. Among the topics discussed in these beautiful verses are the following:

“How to Find Her“, “Search for Love While Walking“, “Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman“, “How to Win Her“, “How to Be Attentive to Her“, and “How to Make Promises and Deceive”.

The articles on this blog also include Ovid’s wisdom of love for women on “How to Appear,” “How to Keep Taste and Elegance in Hair and Dress,” “How to Use Makeup,” and “How to Hide Defects in Appearance.”

Here are the new poetic quotes with advice from Book III of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria,” addressed to girls and women. Ovid teaches them to be moderately expressive women who are modest in their laughter and movements.

The Ovid Advice to Be a Modestly Expressive Woman in Laughter and Movements

“If you’re teeth are blackened, large, or not in line

from birth, laughing would be a fatal error.

Who’d believe it? Girls must even learn to laugh,

they seek to acquire beauty also in this way.

Laugh modestly, a small dimple either side,

the teeth mostly concealed by the lips.

Don’t strain your lungs with continual laughter,

but let something soft and feminine ring out.

One girl will distort her face perversely by guffawing:

another shakes with laughter, you’d think she’s crying.

That one laughs stridently in a hateful manner,

like a mangy ass braying at the shameful mill.

Where does art not penetrate? They’re taught to cry,

with propriety, they weep when and how they wish.

Why! Aren’t true words cheated by the voice,

and tongues forced to make lisping sounds to order?

Charm’s in a defect: they try to speak badly:

they’re taught, when they can speak, to speak less.

Weigh all this with care, since it’s for you:

learn to carry yourself in a feminine way.

And not the least part of charm is in walking:

it attracts men you don’t know, or sends them running.

One moves her hips with art, catches the breeze

with flowing robes, and points her toes daintily:

another walks like the wife of a red-faced Umbrian,

feet wide apart, and with huge paces.

But there’s measure here as in most things: both the rustic’s stride,

and the more affected step should be foregone.

Still, let the parts of your lower shoulder and upper arm

on the left side, be naked, to be admired.

That suits you pale-skinned girls especially: when I see it, I want to kiss your shoulder, as far as it’s shown.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

It Is Wise for a Woman Hiding Her Defects

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Ovid was a renowned Roman poet who lived between 43 BCE and 17 CE. His poetry trilogy “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love) has been popular among educated and noble individuals for centuries. Numerous modern humanities scholars are familiar with Ovid’s “The Art of Love.” In his poems, Ovid instructs Roman men and women on how to attract and maintain a partner’s affection as well as how to make love.

The Romans lived in a different time and had a different way of life than people do now. But I think that educated men and women today can still learn something from Ovid’s poetry collections about love. This is why I’ve put excerpts from these books on this website for people who want to learn more about how ancient Romans thought about love.

“Ars Amatoria” is a book of poetry with helpful advice for modern men and women on how to find and keep a partner. Ovid’s first two books of poetry give advice on how to talk to, court, and seduce women. The poetic wisdom in the third book shows women how to entice and love men.

The Roman Art of Love Published in my Earlier Blog Posts

In earlier blog posts, I shared some of Ovid’s advice to men in the form of poetry. Some of the things these beautiful verses talk about are, “What Is His Task“, “Search for Love while at the Theatre“, “Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman“, “Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach“, “How to Know the Maid“, “How to Make Promises of Love to Her“, “How to Woo and Seduce a Woman”, “How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner”, and “How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs”.

Here are some poetic quotes from Book III of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria,” addressed to girls and women. Ovid teaches them about love and how prudent it is for a woman to conceal her defects.

Idealization of the beloved is the core feature of romantic love (Karandashev, 2017; 2019; 2022). So, what Ovid suggested is really worthwhile.

Here Is How Ovid Advises Women to Be Prudent in Concealing Their Defects

“I’ve not come to teach Semele or Leda, or Sidon’s Europa,

carried through the waves by that deceptive bull,

or Helen, whom Menelaus, being no fool, reclaimed,

and you, Paris, her Trojan captor, also no fool, withheld.

The crowd come to be taught, girls pretty and plain:

and always the greater part are not-so-good.

The beautiful ones don’t seek art and instruction:

they have their dowry, beauty potent without art:

the sailor rests secure when the sea’s calm:

when it’s swollen, he uses every aid.

Still, faultless forms are rare: conceal your faults,

and hide your body’s defects as best you may.

If you’re short sit down, lest, standing, you seem to sit:

and commit your smallness to your couch:

there also, so your measure can’t be taken,

let a shawl drop over your feet to hide them.

If you’re very slender, wear a full dress, and walk about

in clothes that hang loosely from your shoulders.

A pale girl scatters bright stripes across her body,

the darker then have recourse to linen from Alexandria.

Let an ugly foot be hidden in snow-white leather:

and don’t loose the bands from skinny legs.

Thin padding suits those with high shoulder blades:

a good brassiere goes with a meagre chest.

Those with thick fingers and bitten nails,

make sparing use of gestures whenever you speak.

Those with strong breath don’t talk when you’re fasting. and always keep your mouth a distance from your lover.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

The Value of Makeup for Women in Their Art of Love

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Ovid was a renowned poet of the Roman Empire who lived from 43 BCE to 17 CE. For centuries, his poetry trilogy “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love) has been popular among educated and aristocratic people. Many modern scholars in the humanities are familiar with Ovid’s “The Art of Love.” Ovid teaches Roman men and women how to capture and retain a partner’s affection. He also instruct them how to be attractive, and how to make love.

The ancient Romans lived in a different era and social structure than people do today. But I believe that modern educated men and women can appreciate the lessons about love found in Ovid’s poetry collections. I have posted the excerpts from these books on this website. They are interesting for those interested in learning more about the cultural wisdom of love in ancient Roman culture.

The poetry of “Ars Amatoria” contains helpful advice for modern men and women on how to find and maintain a partner in a relationship. The first two collections of poetry by Ovid include instructions on how to approach, court, and seduce women. The third book’s poetic guidance teaches women the art of loving men.

I presented poetic excerpts of Ovid’s advice to men in previous blog posts. For example, those lovely verses are discussing “How to Find Her“, “Search for Love While Walking“, “Search for Love at the Races or Circus“, “How to Win Her“, “How to Be Attentive to Her“, “How to Woo and Seduce a Woman”, “How to Make Promises and Deceive”, and “How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs”.

Here are some poetic quotes from Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria,” Book III, addressed to girls and women. In this book, Ovid teaches them about love. In particular, he tells them how taste, elegance in hair and dress, and makeup are important for their art of love.

Makeup Is Important for Women in their Art of Love

“How near I was to warning you, no rankness of the wild goat

under your armpits, no legs bristling with harsh hair!

But I’m not teaching girls from the Caucasian hills,

or those who drink your waters, Mysian Caicus.

So why remind you not to let your teeth get blackened,

by being lazy, and to wash your face each morning in water?

You know how to acquire whiteness with a layer of powder:

she who doesn’t blush by blood, indeed, blushes by art.

You make good the naked edges of your eyebrows,

and hide your natural cheeks with little patches.

It’s no shame to highlight your eyes with thinned ashes,

or saffron grown by your banks, bright Cydnus.

It’s I who spoke of facial treatments for your beauty,

a little book, but one whose labour took great care.

There too you can find protection against faded looks:

my art’s no idle thing in your behalf.

Still, don’t let your lover find cosmetic bottles

on your dressing table: art delights in its hidden face.

Who’s not offended by cream smeared all over your face,

when it runs in fallen drops to your warm breast?

Don’t those ointments smell? Even if they are sent from Athens,

they’re oils extracted from the unwashed fleece of a sheep.

Don’t apply preparations of deer marrow openly,

and I don’t approve of openly cleaning your teeth:

it makes for beauty, but it’s not beautiful to watch:

many things that please when done, are ugly in the doing:

What now carries the signature of busy Myron

was once dumb mass, hard stone:

to make a ring, first crush the golden ore:

the dress you wear, was greasy wool:

That was rough marble, now it forms a famous statue,

naked Venus squeezing water from her wet hair.

We’ll think you too are sleeping while you do your face: fit to be seen after the final touches.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Yet, Ovid Suggests Women Use Makeup in Private

“Why should I know the source of the brightness in your looks?

Close your bedroom door! Why betray unfinished work?

There are many things it’s right men shouldn’t know:

most things offend if you don’t keep them secret.

The golden figures shining from the ornate theatre,

examine them, you’ll despise them: gilding hiding wood:

but the crowd’s not allowed to approach them till they’re done,

and till your beauty’s ready banish men.

But I don’t forbid your hair being freely combed,

so that it falls, loosely spread, across your shoulders.

Beware especially lest you’re irritable then,

or are always loosening your failed hairstyle again.

Leave your maid alone: I hate those who scratch her face

with their nails, or prick the arm they’ve snatched at with a pin.

She’ll curse her mistress’s head at every touch,

as she weeps, bleeding, on the hateful tresses.

If you’re hair’s appalling, set a guard at your threshold,

or always have it done at Bona Dea’s fertile temple.

I was once suddenly announced arriving at some girl’s:

in her confusion she put her hair on wrong way round.

May such cause of cruel shame come to my enemies,

and that disgrace be reserved for Parthian girls.

Hornless cows are ugly, fields are ugly without grass, and bushes without leaves, and a head without its hair.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

How Taste and Elegance in Hair and Dress Are Important for the Art of Love

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Ovid (43 BCE–17 CE) was a well-known Roman Empire poet. Many love scholars are familiar with his “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love), a trilogy of poetry books. “The Art of Love” has been popular among educated and aristocratic people for centuries.

In these books, Ovid instructs Roman men and women on what love is. He teaches men how to find and keep women. He also teaches women how to win and keep a man’s love.

The Romans of antiquity lived in a different time and society than do contemporary people. However, I think modern educated men and women can still appreciate the guidance of love found in Ovid’s poetry collections. For those who are interested in learning about the cultural wisdom of love in ancient Roman culture, I have posted excerpts from these books on this website.

Men and women of nowadays can find useful tips in the “Ars Amatoria” poetry on how to find and keep a partner in a relationship. Ovid’s first two poetry collections offer advice on how to approach, court, and seduce women. The third book’s poetic advice is primarily addressed to women in order to impart the art of love.

My Previous Blog Posts on The Roman Art of Love

In previous blog posts, I presented poetic excerpts of Ovid’s advice to men. Those lovely verses are talking about, for example, “What Is His Task“, “How to Find Her“, “Search for Love While Walking“, “Search for Love while at the Theatre“, “Search for Love at the Races or Circus“, “Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman“, “Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach“, “How to Win Her“, “How to Know the Maid“, “How to Be Attentive to Her“, “How to Make Promises of Love to Her“, “How to Woo and Seduce a Woman”, “How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner”, “How to Make Promises and Deceive”, and “How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs”.

Here are some poetic quotes from Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria,” Book III, addressed to girls and women. Ovid teaches them about love and tells them how taste and elegance in hair and dress are important for the art of love.

Ovid’s Advice on How Taste and Elegance in Hair and Dress Are Important for the Art of Love

“We’re captivated by elegance: don’t ignore your hair:

beauty’s granted or denied by a hand’s touch.

There isn’t only one style: choose what suits each one,

and consult your mirror in advance.

An oval-shaped head suggests a plain parting:

that’s how Laodamia arranged her hair.

A round face asks for a small knot on the top,

leaving the forehead free, showing the ears.

One girl should throw her hair over both shoulders:

like Phoebus when he takes up the lyre to sing.

Another tied up behind, in Diana’s usual style,

when, skirts tucked up, she seeks the frightened quarry.

Blown tresses suit this girl, loosely scattered:

that one’s encircled by tight-bound hair.

This one delights in being adorned by tortoiseshell from Cyllene:

that one presents a likeness to the curves of a wave.

But you’ll no more number the acorns on oak branches,

or bees on Hybla, wild beasts on Alpine mountains,

than I can possibly count so many fashions:

every new day adds another new style.

And tangled hair suits many girls: often you’d think

it’s been hanging loose since yesterday: it’s just combed.

Art imitates chance: when Hercules, in captured Oechalia,

saw Iole like that, he said: ‘I love that girl.’

So you Bacchus, lifted forsaken Ariadne, into your chariot, while the Satyrs gave their cries.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Then Ovid Continues His Advice

“O how kind nature is to your beauty,

how many ways you have to repair the damage!

We’re sadly exposed, and our hair, snatched at by time,

falls like the leaves stripped by the north wind.

A woman dyes the grey with German herbs,

and seeks a better colour by their art:

a woman shows herself in dense bought curls,

instead of her own, pays cash for another’s.

No blushes shown: you can see them coming, openly,

before the eyes of Hercules and the Virgin Muses Choir.

What to say about dress? Don’t ask for brocade,

or wools dyed purple with Tyrian murex.

With so many cheaper colours having appeared,

it’s crazy to bear your fortune on your back!

See, the sky’s colour, when the sky’s without a cloud,

no warm south-westerly threatening heavy rain.

See, what to you, you’ll say, looks similar to that fleece,

on which Phrixus and Helle once escaped fierce Ino:

this resembles the waves, and also takes its name from the waves:

I might have thought the sea-nymphs clothed with this veil.

That’s like saffron-flowers: dressed in saffron robes,

the dew-wet goddess yokes her shining horses:

this, Paphian myrtle: this, purple amethyst,

dawn roses, and the Thracian crane’s grey.

Your chestnuts are not lacking, Amaryllis, and almonds:

and wax gives its name to various wools.

As many as the flowers the new world, in warm spring, bears

when vine-buds wake, and dark winter vanishes,

as many or more dyes the wool drinks: choose, decisively:

since all are not suitable for everyone.

dark-grey suits snow-white skin: dark-grey suited Briseis:

when she was carried off, then she also wore dark-grey.

White suits the dark: you looked pleasing, Andromeda, in white: so dressed, the island of Seriphos was ruled by you.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Ovid’s Advice on How to Take Care of How You Look

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Ovid (43 BCE–17 CE) was a famous poet of the ancient Roman Empire. Many love scholars know him very well for his “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love), a series of three books of poems. In these books, Ovid gives Roman men and women the practical instructions on what is love and how to make it with the art of seduction and intrigue.

The books instructed men on how to find and keep a woman. The books also advised women on how to win and maintain a man’s love. Throughout the centuries, “The Art of Love” has been quite popular among educated and aristocratic individuals.

Modern people live in a different time period and society than the ancient Romans. Nevertheless, I believe they can still appreciate the love advice in Ovid’s books of poems. I have published excerpts from these books on this website for those interested in cross-cultural love wisdom.

The poetry of “Ars Amatoria” provides men and women with advice on finding and maintaining a romantic partner. The first two books of Ovid’s poetry teach how to meet, flirt with, and seduce a woman. The poetic advice in the third book aimed to teach the art of love primarily to women.

Other Blog Articles I’ve Written about The Roman Art of Love

In previous blog posts, I presented poetic excerpts of Ovid’s advice to men. Those lovely verses are about “How to Find Her“, “Search for Love While Walking“, “Search for Love while at the Theatre“, “Search for Love at the Races or Circus“, “Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman“, “Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach“, “How to Win Her“, “How to Know the Maid“, “How to Be Attentive to Her“, “How to Make Promises of Love to Her“, “How to Woo and Seduce a Woman”, “How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner”, “How to Make Promises and Deceive”, and “How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs”.

Here are the poetic quotes from Ovid’s Book III of “Ars Amatoria” addressed to women. Ovid teaches girls the lessons of love and advises them to “take care of how you look.”

Ovid’s Advice to “Take Care of How You Look”

“But I’m blown about by greater gusts of wind,

while we’re in harbour, may you ride the gentle breeze.

I’ll start with how you look: good wine comes from vines

that are looked after, tall crops stand in cultivated soil.

Beauty’s a gift of the gods: how many can boast it?

The larger number among you lack such gifts.

Taking pains brings beauty: beauty neglected dies,

even though it’s like that of Venus, the Idalian goddess.

If girls of old didn’t cultivate their bodies in that way,

well they had no cultivated men in those days:

if Andromache was dressed in healthy clothes,

what wonder? Her husband was a rough soldier?

Do you suppose Ajax’s wife would come to him all smart,

when his outer layer was seven hides of an ox?

There was crude simplicity before: now Rome is golden,

and owns the vast wealth of the conquered world.

Look what the Capitol is now, and what it was:

you’d say it belonged to a different Jove.

The Senate-House, now worthy of such debates,

was made of wattle when Tatius held the kingship.

Where the Palatine now gleams with Apollo and our leaders,

what was that but pasture for ploughmen’s oxen?

Others may delight in ancient times: I congratulate myself

on having been born just now: this age suits my nature.

Not because stubborn gold’s mined now from the earth,

or choice shells come to us from farthest shores:

nor because mountains shrink as marble’s quarried,

or because blue waters retreat from the piers:

but because civilisation’s here, and no crudity remains,

in our age, that survives from our ancient ancestors.

You too shouldn’t weight your ears with costly stones,

that dusky India gathers in its green waters,

nor show yourself in stiff clothes sewn with gold,

wealth which you court us with, often makes us flee.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Ovid’s Art of Love for Girls

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The ancient Roman poet Ovid (43 BCE and 17 CE) is well-known among love scholars for his “Ars Amatoria,” a three-volume instructional series of poems describing what love is and how to love using the arts of seduction and intrigue.

In the first two books of “The Art of Love”, Ovid addresses his poems to men. He advises men on “letting her miss you, but not for too long,” “remembering her birthday,” and “not asking her age.”

In previous blog posts, I presented poetic excerpts of Ovid’s advice to men. Those lovely verses are about “How to Find Her“, “Search for Love While Walking“, “Search for Love while at the Theatre“, “Search for Love at the Races or Circus“, “Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman“, “Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach“, “How to Win Her“, “How to Know the Maid“, “How to Be Attentive to Her“, “How to Make Promises of Love to Her“, “How to Woo and Seduce a Woman” , “How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner”, “How to Make Promises and Deceive”, and “How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs”.

His poems are full of clever love advice for both men and women. I think that some of his advice is still useful and would be interesting to read.

Here I am starting to post the poetic excerpts from Book III of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” (The Art of Love) addressed to women. In Part 1 of this book, Ovid teaches girls the lessons of love.

“It’s Time to Teach You Girls”

“I’ve given the Greeks arms, against Amazons: arms remain,

to give to you Penthesilea, and your Amazon troop.

Go equal to the fight: let them win, those who are favoured

by Venus, and her Boy, who flies through all the world.

It’s not fair for armed men to battle with naked girls:

that would be shameful, men, even if you win.

Someone will say: ‘Why add venom to the snake,

and betray the sheepfold to the rabid she-wolf?’

Beware of burdening the many with the crime of the few:

let the merits of each separate girl be seen.

Though Menelaus has Helen, and Agamemnon

has Clytemnestra, her sister, to charge with crime,

though Amphiarus, and his horses too, came living to the Styx,

through the wickedness of Eriphyle,

Penelope was faithful to her husband for all ten years

of his waging war, and his ten years wandering.

Think of Protesilaus, and Laodameia who they say

followed her marriage partner, died before her time.

Alcestis , his wife, redeemed Admetus’s life with her own:

the wife, for the man, was borne to the husband’s funeral.

‘Capaneus, receive me! Let us mingle our ashes,’

Evadne cried, and leapt into the flames.

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

Then Ovid Continues Teaching the Art of Love for Girls

Virtue herself is named and worshipped as a woman too:

it’s no wonder that she delights her followers.

Yet their aims are not required for my art,

smaller sails are suited to my boat,

Only playful passions will be learnt from me:

I’ll teach girls the ways of being loved.

Women don’t brandish flames or cruel bows:

I rarely see men harmed by their weapons.

Men often cheat: it’s seldom tender girls,

and, if you check, they’re rarely accused of fraud.

Falsely, Jason left Medea, already a mother:

he took another bride to himself.

As far as you knew, Theseus, the sea birds fed on Ariadne,

left all by herself on an unknown island!

Ask why one road’s called Nine-Times and hear

how the woods, weeping, shed their leaves for Phyllis.

Though he might be famed for piety, Aeneas, your guest,

supplied the sword, Dido, and the reason for your death.

What destroyed you all, I ask? Not knowing how to love:

your art was lacking: love lasts long through art. You still might lack it now: but, before my eyes,

stood Venus herself, and ordered me to teach you.

She said to me. then: ‘What have the poor girls done,

an unarmed crowd betrayed to well-armed men?

Two books of their tricks have been composed:

let this lot too be instructed by your warnings.

Stesichorus who spoke against Helen’s un-chastity,

soon sang her praises in a happier key.

If I know you well (don’t harm the cultured girls now!)

this favour will always be asked of you while you live.’

She spoke, and she gave me a leaf, and a few myrtle

berries (since her hair was crowned with myrtle):

I felt received power too: purer air

glowed, and a whole weight lifted from my spirit.

While wit works, seek your orders here girls,

those that modesty, principles and your rules allow.

Be mindful first that old age will come to you:

so don’t be timid and waste any of your time.

Have fun while it’s allowed, while your years are in their prime:

the years go by like flowing waters:

The wave that’s past can’t be recalled again,

the hour that’s past never can return.

Life’s to be used: life slips by on swift feet,

what was good at first, nothing as good will follow.

Those stalks that wither I saw as violets:

from that thorn-bush to me a dear garland was given.

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

And Finally, Ovid Advises Girls…

There’ll be a time when you, who now shut out your lover,

will lie alone, and aged, in the cold of night,

nor find your entrance damaged by some nocturnal quarrel, nor your threshold sprinkled with roses at dawn.

How quickly (ah me!) the sagging flesh wrinkles,

and the colour, there, is lost from the bright cheek.

And hairs that you’ll swear were grey from your girlhood

will spring up all over your head overnight.

Snakes shed their old age with their fragile skin,

antlers that are cast make the stag seem young:

un-aided our beauties flee: pluck the flower,

which, if not plucked, will of itself, shamefully, fall.

Add that the time of youth is shortened by childbirth:

the field’s exhausted by continual harvest.

Endymion causes you no blushes, on Latmos, Moon,

nor is Cephalus the rosy goddess of Dawn’s shameful prize.

Though Adonis was given to Venus, whom she mourns to this day,

where did she get Aeneas, and Harmonia, from?

O mortal girls go to the goddesses for your examples,

and don’t deny your delights to loving men.

Even if you’re deceived, what do you lose? It’s all intact:

though a thousand use it, nothing’s destroyed that way.

Iron crumbles, stone’s worn away with use:

that part’s sufficient, and escapes all fear of harm.

Who objects to taking light from a light nearby?

Who hoards the vast waters of the hollow deep?

So why should any woman say: ‘Not now’? Tell me,

why waste the water if you’re not going to use it?

Nor does my voice say sell it, just don’t be afraid of casual loss: your gifts are freed from loss.”

Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.