Category Archives: Roman culture

Men Should Be Sensible, Not Asking a Woman About Her Age

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The questions of love attract an enduring interest of men and women in the modern world across many cultures. Love has become a popular topic of contemporary research.

It is also not surprising that love has been on the minds of people over the centuries. Let’s look at what those from older times knew about love. For example, Roman poet Ovid wrote the three well-known books of poems that make up the “Ars Amatoria” – “The Art of Love“.

“Ars Amatoria,” written by Ovid in the first century BCE, depicted the decadent and fashionable lives of the Roman upper class in fascinating detail. Ovid taught upper-class Roman men and women the art of love and sexual relations. He instructed men and women in his poems on how to find a lover, win them over, and keep them in a loving relationship.

His poetic writings on love have become a scholarly milestone and a masterpiece in the art of love. His wise advice on how to handle love relationships has been passed down through the ages, cultures, and generations.

In 1885, Henry Riley translated Ovid’s poems of “Ars Amatoria” into English and published them as “The Art of Love” (Riley, 1885/2014). Henry Finck used a literal prose translation rather than the original poetry.

Recently, Anthony Kline translated Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” and published it in 2001. Since contemporary men and women do not live in the same era as the ancient Romans, it might be challenging to read these books without some familiarity with Roman culture (Kline, 2001).

However, I believe that the modern-day generation of men and women can learn a lot from the ancient wisdom of thinking about the art of love. Ovid made many insightful arguments about love that are still relevant today. So, I think these books remain fascinating and enjoyable to read.

Due to this, I have posted on this blog some interesting passages from Ovid’s wonderful love books, as translated by Anthony Kline.

The wonderful poems in Book I teach men a lot about love and relationships. Ovid’s poems can provide them with interesting ideas for “How to Find Her” (Part 2), “How to Win Her” (Part 9), “How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12), “How to Entice and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14), “How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16), “How Tears and Kisses Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17), “Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19), and others.

The poems in Book II contain more advice for men about love. For instance, Parts V, VI, and VII teach how important it is in love relationships (a) not to be faint-hearted, (b) win over the servants, and (c) give her little tasteful gifts.

In Book II, Ovid also tells how to Be Gentle and Good-Tempered in Love Relations (Part III), Let Her Miss You, but Not For Long (Part X), how to Stir Her Jealousy in Their Art of Love (Part XIII), Be Wise and Ready to Suffer in Love (Part XIV).

Here is Part XVIII of Ovid’s Book II, advising men to be sensible and not ask a woman about her age.

Do Not Ask About Her Age, Part XVIII of Book II:

“Don’t ask how old she is, or who was Consul when

she was born, that’s strictly the Censor’s duty:

Especially if she’s past bloom, and the good times gone,

and now she plucks the odd grey hair.

There’s value, O youth, in this or a greater age:

this will bear seed, this is a field to sow.

Besides, they’ve more knowledge of the thing,

and have that practice that alone makes the artist:

With elegance they repair the marks of time,

and take good care that they don’t appear old.

As you wish, they’ll perform in a thousand positions:

no painting’s ever contrived to show more ways.

They don’t have to be aroused to pleasure:

man and woman equally deliver what delights.

I hate sex that doesn’t provide release for both:

that’s why the touch of boys is less desirable.

I hate a girl who gives because she has to,

and, arid herself, thinks only of her spinning.

Pleasure’s no joy to me that’s given out of duty:

let no girl be dutiful to me.

I like to hear a voice confessing to her rapture,

which begs me to hold back, and keep on going.

I gaze at the dazed eyes of my frantic mistress:

she’s exhausted, and won’t let herself be touched for ages.

Nature doesn’t give those joys to raw youths,

that often come so easily beyond thirty-five.

The hasty drink the new and unfermented: pour a vintage wine

for me, matured in the cask, from an ancient consulship.

Not till it’s grown can the plane tree bear the sun,

and naked feet destroy a new-laid lawn.

I suppose you’d prefer Hermione to Helen,

and was Medusa any better than her mother?

Then, he who wants to come to his love late,

earns a valuable prize, if he’ll only wait.”

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

The Art of Love Is to Be Wise—Don’t Mention Her Faults

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In the first century BCE, Ovid wrote his three famous books, “Ars Amatoria.”

“The Art of Love” poems by Ovid painted a fascinating picture of the decadent and fashionable lives of the Roman upper class. He assisted upper-class Roman men and women in mastering the art of love and sexual relations. In his poems, he instructs men and women on how to find a lover, win them over, and keep them in love.

In the study of the art of love, his poetic writings on matters of love have established a landmark. His wise counsel on how to handle their love affairs has been passed down through the ages, cultures, and generations.

Henry Riley translated Ovid’s books of “Ars Amatoria” into English in 1885. It was a literal prose translation rather than the original poetry (Riley, 1885/2014).

A recent translation of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” by Anthony Kline appeared in 2001. It may be difficult to read these books without a knowledge of Roman culture, as modern men and women do not live in the same era as the Romans (Kline, 2001).

Nonetheless, I think there is much that modern men and women can learn from looking backward to ancient ways of thinking about the art of love. Ovid made a lot of profound statements about love that hold true even today. Consequently, I believe that these books are still fascinating and enjoyable to read.

Because of this, I’ve posted on this love blog some insightful passages from wonderful Ovid’s love books in Anthony Kline’s translations.

Modern men can find interesting ideas for their love relationships in the wonderful poems in Book 1 that teach them “How to Find Her” (Part 2), “How to Win Her” (Part 9), “How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12), “How to Entice and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14), “How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16), “How Tears and Kisses Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17), “Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19), and others.

The poems in Book II provide additional pieces of love advice for men. Parts V, VI, and VII, for example, talk about how vital it is in love affairs (a) not to be faint-hearted, (b) win over the servants, and (c) give her little tasteful gifts.

In Book II, Ovid also says how to Be Gentle and Good-Tempered in Love Relations (Part III), Let Her Miss You, but Not For Long (Part X), how to Stir Her Jealousy in Their Art of Love (Part XIII), Be Wise and Ready to Suffer in Love (Part XIV).

Here is Part XVII of Ovid’s Book II, advising men to be wise and not mention her faults. She should know she is perfect.

Do Not Mention Her Faults, Part XVII of Book II:

“Above all beware of reproaching girls for their faults,

it’s useful to ignore so many things.

Andromeda’s dark complexion was not criticised

by Perseus, who was borne aloft by wings on his feet.

Andromache by all was rightly thought too tall:

Hector was the only one who spoke of her as small.

Grow accustomed to what’s called bad, you’ll call it good:

Time heals much: new love feels everything.

While a new-grafted twig’s growing in the green bark,

struck by the lightest breeze, it may fall:

Later, hardened by time, it resists the winds,

and the strong tree will bear adopted wealth.

Time itself erases all faults from the flesh,

and what was a flaw, ceases to make you pause.

A new ox-hide makes nostrils recoil:

tamed by familiarity, the odour fades.

An evil may be sweetened by its name: let her be ‘dark’

whose pigment’s blacker than Illyrian pitch:

if she squints, she’s like Venus: if she’s grey, Minerva:

let her be ‘slender’, who’s truly emaciated:

call her ‘trim’, who’s tiny, ‘full-bodied’ if she’s gross,

and hide the fault behind the nearest virtue.”

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

The Art of Love for a Man Is to Keep His Love Affair Secret

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Ovid wrote his three famous books, “Ars Amatoria,” in the first century BCE. Ovid’s poems in “The Art of Love” painted a fascinating picture of the decadent and fashionable life of the Roman upper class. He helped men and women from the upper classes of Roman society to master the art of love and sexual relations. In his poems, he tells men and women how to find a lover, get them to like you, and keep them in love.

His poetic words on love matters have become a landmark in the study of the art of love. Through the centuries, cultures, and generations, people have passed down his insightful advice on how to handle their love affairs.

Henry Riley’s 1885 English translation of Ovid’s works included a literal prose translation rather than the original poetry (Riley, 1885/2014).

Anthony Kline published his recent translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria in 2001. Because modern men and women live in a different era than the Romans, it may be difficult to read these books without an understanding of Roman culture during that time (Kline, 2001).

Nevertheless, I believe it is valuable and useful for contemporary men and women to learn about the art of love from antiquated ways of thinking. Many of Ovid’s ancient declarations about love are still valid today. Consequently, I think these books are still fascinating and enjoyable to read.

That’s why I’ve included some wise words from Anthony Kline’s wonderful translations of Ovid’s works in the posts on this love blog.

Many men can discover interesting suggestions for their love affairs from the wonderful rhymes of Book 1 that teach them “How to Find Her” (Part 2), “How to Win Her” (Part 9), “How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12), “How to Entice and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14), “How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16), “How Tears and Kisses Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17), “Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19), and others.

The poems of Book II offer other pieces of love counseling to men. Parts V, VI, and VII, for example, talk about how vital it is in love affairs (a) not to be faint-hearted, (b) win over the servants, and (c) give her little tasteful gifts.

In Book II, Ovid also says how to Be Gentle and Good-Tempered in Love Relations (Part III), Let Her Miss You, but Not For Long (Part X), how to Stir Her Jealousy in Their Art of Love (Part XIII), Be Wise and Ready to Suffer in Love (Part XIV).

Here is Part XVI of Ovid’s Book II, advising men that there can be virtue in being silent and keeping the relationship with a woman secret.

Keep It Secret, Part XVI of Book II:

Who’d dare reveal to the impious the secret rites of Ceres,

or uncover the high mysteries of Samothrace?

There’s little virtue in keeping silent:

but speaking of what’s kept secret’s a heinous crime.

O it’s good if that babbler Tantalus, clutching at fruit in vain,

thirsts in the very middle of the waters!

Venus, above all, orders you to be silent about her rites:

I warn you, let no idle chatterers come near her.

Though the mysteries of Venus are not buried in a box,

nor echo in the wide air to the clash of cymbals,

but are busily enjoyed so, by us all,

they still wish to be concealed among us.

Venus, herself, when she takes off her clothes,

covers her sex with the half-turned palm of her left hand.

Beasts couple indiscriminately in full view: from this sight

girls of course turn aside their faces, too.

Bedrooms and locked doors suit our intrigues,

and shameful things are hidden under the sheets:

and if not darkness, we seek some veiling shadow,

and something less exposed than the light of day.

Even back then, when roofs kept out neither rain nor sun,

and the oak-tree provided food and shelter,

pleasure was had in woods and caves, not under the heavens:

such care the native peoples had for their modesty.

but now we advertise our nocturnal acts,

and nothing’s bought if it can’t be boasted of!

No doubt you’ll look out every girl, whatever,

to say to whom you please: ‘She too was mine,’

and there’ll be no lack of those you can point out,

so for each that’s mentioned there’s a shameful tale?

Little to cry at: some invent, what they’d deny if true,

and claim there isn’t one they haven’t slept with.

If not their bodies, they touch what they can, their names,

and the reputation’s gone, though the body’s chaste.

  Odious watchman, go close the girl’s door, now,

  too late, locked with a hundred heavy bars!

What’s safe, when adulterers give out her name,

and want what never happened to be believed?

I’m wary even of professing to genuine passions, 

and, trust me, my secret affairs are wholly hidden.
Kline, A. S. (2001). Translation of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria: The Art of Love.

A Man Should Respect Her Freedom in the Art of Love

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In the first century BCE, Ovid wrote his remarkable verses, “Ars Amatoria.” In his three books of “The Art of Love,” Ovid presented a captivating portrayal of the decadent and stylish life of aristocracy in Roman society. He guided men and women from the upper class of ancient Roman culture in their love affairs. In his verses, he gives advice on how to find, seduce, and keep a lover.

His insightful advice on love has become a classic in the art of love. His love poetry was transmitted across centuries, cultures, and generations.

The 1885 publication of the English translation of Ovid’s works by Henry Riley included a literal prose translation rather than the original poetry (Riley, 1885/2014)(Finck, 1887/2019).

In 2001, the most recent translation and publication of Ovid’s Ars Amatoria by Kline made their poetic translation available (Kline, 2001).

The books may be challenging to read without an understanding of Roman culture at the time because men and women today live in a different time than the Romans did

Still, it is important and helpful to learn about the art of love from the old ways of thinking. A lot of what Ovid said about love a long time ago is still true today. So, I still think these books are fascinating and fun to read even now. That’s why I included some sage advice from Anthony Kline’s wonderful translations of Ovid’s books in the posts you’ll find here on this love blog.

Men can learn a lot from the delightful verses of Book 1 that teach them “How to Find Her” (Part 2), “How to Win Her” (Part 9), “How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12), “How to Entice and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14), “How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16), “How Tears and Kisses Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17), “Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19), and others.

The poetry of Book II presents other pieces of love guidance to men. Parts V, VI, and VII explain how important it is in love (a) not to be faint-hearted, (b) win over the servants, and (c) give her little tasteful gifts. In Book II, Ovid also explains how to Be Gentle and Good-Tempered in Love Relations (Part III), Let Her Miss You, but Not For Long (Part X), how to Stir Her Jealousy in Their Art of Love (Part XIII), Be Wise and Ready to Suffer in Love (Part XIV).

Here is Part XV of Ovid’s Book II, advising men how important it is to respect her freedom in the art of love.

Respect Her Freedom, Part XV of Book II:

“Why waste time on trifles? Greater themes arise:

I sing great things: pay attention, people.

We labour hard, but virtue’s nothing if not hard:

hard labour’s what my art demands.

Be patient with your rival, victory rests with you:

you’ll be victor on Great Jupiter’s hill.

Believe me, it’s no man says this, but Chaonia’s sacred oaks:

my art contains nothing more profound than this.

If she flirts, endure it: if she writes, don’t touch the wax:

let her come from where she wishes: and go where she pleases, too.

This husbands allow their lawfully married wives,

when you come, gentle sleep, to play your part, as well.

I’m not perfect in this art, I confess:

What can I do? I’m less than my own instructions.

What, shall I let some man signal openly to my girl,

and bear it, and not show anger if I wish?

I remember her husband kissed her: I grieved

at the kiss he gave: my love’s full of barbarities.

Not a few times this fault has hurt me: he’s wiser

who’s reconciled to other mens’ coming.

But it was better to know nothing: let intrigues

be hidden, lest her shameless mouth revealed untruths.

How much better, O young men, to avoid surprising them:

let girls sin, and think, while sinning, that they’ve fooled you.

Love grows with being caught: who are twinned by fortune

persist to the end in the cause that ruined them.

The story’s well known through all the heavens,

of Mars and Venus caught by Vulcan’s craft.

Mars stirred by mad desire for Venus

was turned from grim warrior to lover.

And Venus was not coy or resistant to Mar’s pleas

(for there’s no more loving goddess than her).

Ah how often the wanton laughed at her husband’s limp,

they say, or his hands hardened by his fiery art.

She’d openly imitate Vulcan then, to Mars: it became her:

great beauty was mingled there with charm.

But they used to hide their adultery at first.

It was a sin, filled with the blush of shame.

The Sun’s tale (who can evade the Sun?)

made known to Vulcan what his spouse had done.

What a poor example, Sun, you set! Seek a gift from her,

and you, if you’re quiet, can have what she can give.

Vulcan set a hidden net, over and round the bed:

it’s a piece of work that deceives the eye.

Pretends he’s off to Lemnos: the lovers come

to their assignation: and both lie naked in the net.

He calls the gods: the captives are displayed:

Venus they think can scarcely restrain her tears.

They can’t hide their faces, are even unable

to cover their sexes with their hands.

Then someone laughed and said: ‘Let me have the chains,

Mars, if they’re an embarrassment to you!’

Their captive bodies are, with difficulty, freed, at your plea,

Neptune: Venus runs to Paphos: Mars heads for Thrace.

This you achieved, Vulcan: what they hid before,

now all shame is gone, they indulge in freely:

Now maddened you often confess the thing was foolish,

and suffer regret for your cunning.

It’s forbidden you: Venus once tricked forbids

traps to be set, like the one that she endured.

Lay out no snares for rivals: don’t intercept

those secret hand-written messages.

Let husbands trap them, if they think they indeed need trapping,

husbands to whom the ceremony of fire and water gives the right.

Look, I swear again: there’s nothing here except what’s played within the law: no virtuous woman’s caught up in my jests.”

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

Men Should Be Wise and Ready to Suffer in Love

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Ovid wrote the poetry of “Ars Amatoria” in the 1st century BCE. He presented a captivating portrayal of the hedonistic and refined life of aristocracy in Roman culture in three books of “The Art of Love.” He guided Roman men and women from the upper class in their love affairs. He advised in his verses how to find, seduce, and keep a lover.

His astute love advice has become a classic in the art of love. His love poetry was passed down over centuries across generations and cultures. The early English translation of Ovid’s books, published in 1885, included a literal prose translation rather than the original poetry (Riley, 1885/2014). Their most recent translation and publication, in 2001, made available their poetic translation (Kline, 2001).

Modern men and women live in different cultural epochs than the Romans. Nevertheless, it is meaningful and beneficial to learn the art of love from the old wisdom of the past. Many of Ovid’s suggestions from long ago are still valid for modern love affairs. So, I believe even now, these books are still fascinating and interesting to read.

Because of this, I decided to post several wise quotes from Anthony Kline’s amazing translations of Ovid’s books in the articles on this love blog (Kline, 2001).

Men can learn a lot from the wonderful cantos of Book 1 that teach them “How to Find Her” (Part 2), “How to Win Her” (Part 9), “How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12), “How to Entice and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14), “How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16), “How Tears and Kisses Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17), “Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19), and others.

The poems of Book II present other pieces of love advice to men. Parts V, VI, and VII explain men how beneficial in love (a) not to be faint-hearted, (b) win over the servants, and (c) give her little tasteful gifts.

In Book II, Ovid also explains how to Be Gentle and Good-Tempered in Love Relations (Part III), Let Her Miss You, but Not For Long (Part X), when men should Stir Her Jealousy in Their Art of Love (Part XIII).

Here is Part XIV of Ovid’s Book II, advising men to be wise and suffer in love. The art of love should be wise, yet love relationships can still cause suffering.

Be Wise and Suffer in Love, Part XIV of Book II:

“While I was writing this, Apollo suddenly appeared

plucking the strings of his lyre with his thumb.

Laurel was in his hand, laurel wreathing his hair:

he appears to poets looking like that.

‘Professor of Wanton Love,’ he said to me,

‘go lead your disciples to my temple,

it’s where the famous words, celebrated throughout the world,

command everyone to “Know Yourself”.

He alone will be wise, who’s well-known to himself,

and carries out each work that suits his powers.

Whom nature’s given beauty, let it be seen by her:

whose skin is lustrous, lie there often with bare shoulders:

who delights by talking, avoid taciturn silence:

who sings with art, then sing: who drinks with art, then drink.

but the eloquent should never declaim mid-speech

nor the crazy poet ever read his poems!’

So Phoebus warned: take note of Phoebus’s warning:

truth’s surely on the sacred lips of that god.

To bring us back to earth: who loves wisely wins,

and by my skill will bring off what he seeks.

It’s not often the furrow repays the loan with interest,

not often the winds aid the boat in trouble:

What delights a lover is little, what pains him more:

many sufferings declare themselves to his heart.

As many as hares on Athos, the bees that graze on Hybla,

as many as the olives the grey-green branches carry,

or the sea-shells on the shore, are the pains of love:

the thorns we suffer from are drenched in gall.

They’ll say she’s gone out: very likely she’s to be seen inside:

think that she has gone out, and your vision lied.

The door will be shut the night she promised you:

endure it, lay your body on the dusty ground.

And perhaps the lying maid with scornful face,

will say: ‘Why’s he hanging round our door?’

Still, a suppliant, coax the doorposts, and your harsh mistress,

and hang the roses, from your head, outside.

Come if she wishes: when she shuns you, go:

it’s unbecoming to a noble man to bore her.

Why let your lover say: ‘There’s no escaping him’?

Her feelings won’t always be against you.

Don’t think it a disgrace to suffer curses or blows from the girl, or plant kisses on her tender feet.”

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

Ovid Advised Men to Stir Her Jealousy in Their Art of Love

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The three books of Ovid’s poems “Ars Amatoria” taught Roman men and women the art of love. Over the centuries, his clever love suggestions have been passed down through generations and across cultures. Ovid’s poetry educated Romans of affluent social classes on how to entertain love and seduce a lover.

The first two of Ovid’s books offer guidance to men on how to approach women, conduct themselves around them, and make love to them. His love poems are full of wise and interesting advice about how to find a lover, how to get them interested, and how to keep them. 

I think contemporary readers will still find these books fascinating and interesting to read, despite the obvious differences between their lives and those of the ancient Romans. It’s worthwhile to learn from the past when it comes to love. Many of the old maxims are applicable even today. So, I used a number of passages from Anthony Kline’s wonderful translations of Ovid’s works in the articles on this blog (Kline, 2001). 

The remarkable cantos of Book 1 teach men about

“What Is His Task” (Part 1),

“How to Find Her“ (Part 2),

“Search for Love While Walking“ (Part 3),

“Search for Love while at the Theatre“ (Part 4),

“Search for Love at the Races or Circus“ (Part 5),

“Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman“ (Part 6),

“Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach“(Parts 7 and 8),

“How to Win Her“ (Part 9),

“How to Know the Maid“ (Part 10),

“How to Be Attentive to Her“ (Part 11),

“How to Make Promises of Love to Her“ (Part 12),

“How to Woo and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14),

“How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner” (Part 15),

“How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16),

“How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17),

“Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19).

Stir Her Jealousy, Part XIII of Book II:

Here is Part XIII of Ovid’s Book II, advising men to “stir her jealousy,” thus entertaining their art of love.

“Wise Erato, why turn to magic arts?

My chariot’s scraping the inside post.

You who just hid your crimes on my advice,

change course, and on my advice reveal your secrets.

I’m not guilty of fickleness: the curved prow

is not always blown onwards by the same wind.

Now we run to a Thracian northerly, an easterly now,

sometimes a west wind fills our sails, sometimes a south.

Look how the charioteer now slacks the reins,

then skilfully restrains the galloping team.

There are those who don’t like being served with shy kindness:

while love fades if there’s no rival around.

Generally heads are swollen with success,

it’s not easy to be content with the good times.

As a fire with little power, gradually consumed,

hides itself, ashes whitening on its surface,

but the doused flames will flare with a pinch of sulphur,

and the brightness, that was there before, returns:

so when hearts are numbed by slack dullness and security,

love is aroused by some sharp stimulus.

Make her fearful for you: warm her tepid mind:

let her grow pale at evidence of your guilt:

O four times happy, times impossible to count,

is he for whom his wounded girl grieves.

That, when his sins reach her unwilling ears, she’s lost,

and voice and colour flee the unhappy girl.

Let me be him, whose hair the angry woman tears:

let me be him, whose tender cheeks nails seek,

him whom she sees with tears, turns on him tortured eyes,

whom though she can’t live without, she wishes she could.

If you ask how long you should let her lament her hurt,

keep it brief, lest a long delay kindles anger’s force:

Throw your arms straightaway around her snow-white neck,

and let the weeping girl fall on your chest.

Kiss her who weeps, make sweet love to her who weeps,

there’ll be peace: this is the one way anger’s dissolved.

When she’s truly raging, when she seems fixed on war,

then sue for peace in bed, she’ll be gentle.

There Harmony dwells with grounded arms:

there, trust me, is the place where grace is born.

Doves that once fought, now bill and coo,

whose murmur is of caressing words.

At first all things were confused mass without form,

heaven and earth and sea were created one:

soon sky was set above land, earth circled by water,

and random chaos split into its parts:

Forests allowed the creatures a home: air the birds:

fish took shelter in the running streams.

Then the human race wandered the empty wilds,

a thing of naked strength and brutish body:

woods were its home, grass its food, leaves its bed:

and for a long time no man knew another.

They say sweet delights softened savage spirits:

when man and woman rested in one place:

they had no teacher to show them what to do:

Venus did her work without sweet art.

Birds have mates to love: in the midst of waters

a fish will find another to share her joy:

hind follows stag, snake will bind with snake,

bitch clings entwined with some adulterous dog:

ewes delight in being covered: bulls delight in heifers, too,

the snub-nosed she-goat supports her rank mate:

Mares driven to frenzy follow their stallion,

through distant places beyond the branching river.

So act, and offer strong medicine to your angry one:

only this will bring peace to her unhappiness:

this medicine beats Machaon’s drugs: this will reinstate you when you’ve sinned.”

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

Ovid Advised Men: Have Other Friends, but Be Careful

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The three books of “Ars Amatoria” by Roman poet Ovid taught men and women the art of love. His clever love suggestions have been passed down through generations and across cultures over the centuries. The poetry of Ovid taught Roman people of affluent social class how to entertain love and seduce a prospective lover.

The first two books advise men how to approach, interact with, and make love with women. Ovid’s love poems offer wise and entertaining guidance on how to find, seduce, and keep a lover.

Despite the fact that modern readers live in a different time and place than the ancient Romans, I believe they will find these books fascinating and interesting to read. Many ancient love ideas can still be useful for those learning how to love in the modern world. So, I quoted several passages from Anthony Kline’s magnificent translations of Ovid’s works in the articles on this blog (Kline, 2001).

The amazing verses of Book 1 teach men about

“What Is His Task” (Part 1),

“How to Find Her“ (Part 2),

“Search for Love While Walking“ (Part 3),

“Search for Love while at the Theatre“ (Part 4),

“Search for Love at the Races or Circus“ (Part 5),

“Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman“ (Part 6),

“Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach“(Parts 7 and 8),

“How to Win Her“ (Part 9),

“How to Know the Maid“ (Part 10),

“How to Be Attentive to Her“ (Part 11),

“How to Make Promises of Love to Her“ (Part 12),

“How to Woo and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14),

“How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner” (Part 15),

“How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16),

“How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17),

“Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19).

Have Other Friends, but Be Careful, Part XI of Book II:

Here is Part XI of Ovid’s Book II, advising men to “have other friends, but be careful.”

“But the red-haired boar is not so fierce in mid-anger.

when he turns and threatens the rabid pack,

or the lioness giving suck to un-weaned cubs,

or the tiny viper crushed by a careless foot,

as a woman when a rival’s caught in her lover’s bed:

she blazes, her face the colour of her heart.

She storms with fire and flame, all restraint forgot,

as if struck, as they say, by the horns of the Boeotian god.

Wronged by her husband, her marriage violated,

savage Medea avenged herself through her children.

Another fatal mother was that swallow, you see there:

look, her breast carries the stain of blood.

Well-founded and firm loves have been dissolved so:

these are crimes to make cautious men afraid.

Not that my censure condemns you to only one girl:

the gods forbid! A wife could hardly expect that.

Indulge, but secretly veil your sins, with restraint:

it’s no glory to you to be seeking out wrongdoing.

Don’t give gifts another girl could spot,

or have set times for your assignations.

And lest a girl catch you out in your favourite haunts

don’t meet all of them in one place.

And always look closely at your wax tablets, whenever you write:

lest much more is read there than you sent.

Wounded, Venus takes up just arms, and hurls her dart,

and makes you lament, as she is lamenting.

While Agamemnon was satisfied with one woman, Clytemnestra

was chaste: evil was done through the man’s fault.

She had heard how Chryses, with sacred head-bands,

and laurel in his hand, failed to win back his daughter:

she had heard of your sorrows, captive Briseis,

and how scandalous delays had prolonged the war.

She heard all this: She saw Cassandra for herself:

the victor the shameful prize of his own prize.

Then she took Thyestes to her heart and bed,

and wrongfully avenged the Atrides’s crime.

Even if the acts, you’ve well hidden, become known,

though they’re known, still always deny them.

Don’t be subdued, or more fond than usual:

those are the signs of many guilty thoughts.

But don’t forgo sex: all peace is in that one thing. The act it is that disproves a prior union.”

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

Let Her Miss You, but Not for Long

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Ovid’s three poetic books of “Ars Amatoria” taught Roman men and women how to master the art of love. In the centuries since, his astute love advice has been passed down through generations and across cultures. Ovid’s poetry taught both men and women how to seduce and love.

The first two books instruct men on how to approach, engage, and seduce women. Ovid’s love poems give sage and entertaining guidance on how to find and keep a lover.

I believe that modern readers will still find these books fascinating and interesting to read, despite the fact that they live in a different time and location than the ancient Romans did. Many ancient ideas about love can still be beneficial and useful for those who want to learn how to love in the modern world. Therefore, I quoted several pieces from Anthony Kline’s magnificent translations of Ovid’s works and posted them in the articles on this blog (Kline, 2001).

The wonderful poems of Book 1 teach us about

“What Is His Task” (Part 1),

“How to Find Her” (Part 2),

“Search for Love While Walking” (Part 3),

“Search for Love while at the Theatre” (Part 4),

“Search for Love at the Races or Circus” (Part 5),

“Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman” (Part 6),

“Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach” (Parts 7 and 8),

“How to Win Her” (Part 9),

“How to Know the Maid” (Part 10),

“How to Be Attentive to Her” (Part 11),

“How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12),

“How to Woo and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14),

“How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner” (Part 15),

“How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16),

“How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17), “Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19).

Let Her Miss You, but Not for Long, Part X of Book II:

Here is Part X of Ovid’s Book II, advising men “to let her miss you, but not for a long time.”

“But the winds that filled your sails and blew offshore,

are no use when you’re in the open sea.

While young love’s wandering, it gathers strength by use:

if you nourish it well, it will be strong in time.

The bull you fear’s the calf you used to stroke:

the tree you lie beneath was a sapling:

the river’s tiny when born, but gathers riches in its flow,

and collects the many waters that come to it.

Make her accustomed to you: nothing’s greater than habit:

while you’re captivating her, avoid no boredom.

Let her always be seeing you: always giving you ear:

show your face, at night and in the day.

When you’ve more confidence that you’ll be missed,

when your absence far away will cause her worry,

give her a rest: the fields when rested repay the loan,

and parched earth drinks the heavenly rain.

Phyllis burnt less for Demophoon in his presence:

she blazed more fiercely when he sailed away.

Penelope was tormented by the loss of cunning Ulysses:

you, Laodamia, by absent Protesilaus.

But brief delays are best: fondness fades with time,

love vanishes with absence, and new love appears.

When Menelaus left, Helen did not lie alone,

Paris, the guest, at night, was taken to her warm breast.

What craziness was that, Menelaus? You left

wife and guest alone under the same roof.

Madman, would you trust timid doves to a hawk?

Would you trust the full fold to a mountain wolf?

Helen did not sin: her lover committed none:

what you, what anyone would do, he did.

You forced adultery by giving time and place:

What did the girl employ but your counsel?

What should she do? Her man away, a cultivated guest,

and she afraid to sleep alone in an empty bed.

Let Atrides appear: I acquit Helen of crime: she took advantage of her husband’s courtesy.”

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

You Must Favor Her, Complement Her, and Comfort Her in Sickness to Win Her Love

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The three poetic books of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” taught men and women of the Roman Empire how to master the art of love. His astute love advice has been passed down through the generations and across different cultures in the following centuries. Ovid’s poetry taught men and women the art of seduction and love.

The first two books teach men how to flirt with, converse with, and seduce women. Ovid’s love poetry offers wise and entertaining advice to men and women on how to find and keep a lover.

Even though people today live in a different time and place than the ancient Romans did, I think they will still find these books fascinating and interesting to read. Many old ideas about love are still useful and good for people who want to learn how to love in the present day. So, I used parts of these books from Anthony Kline’s translations of Ovid’s magnificent books and posted them in several articles on this blog (Kline, 2001).

The delightful poetries of Book 1 teach us about

“What Is His Task” (Part 1),

“How to Find Her” (Part 2),

“Search for Love While Walking” (Part 3),

“Search for Love while at the Theatre” (Part 4),

“Search for Love at the Races or Circus” (Part 5),

“Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman” (Part 6),

“Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach” (Parts 7 and 8),

“How to Win Her” (Part 9),

“How to Know the Maid” (Part 10),

“How to Be Attentive to Her” (Part 11),

“How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12),

“How to Woo and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14),

“How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner” (Part 15),

“How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16),

“How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17),

“Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19).

Here are Parts VIII and IX of Ovid’s Book II, teaching how giving her favor, compliment, and comfort in sickness are the important things in the art of love.

Favor Her and Compliment Her, Part VIII of Book II:

Here is Part VIII of Ovid’s Book II, teaching men how giving her favors and compliments can help win her love.

“Then what you’re about to do, and think is useful,

always get your lover to ask you to do it.

You promised liberty to one of your slaves:

still let him seek the fact of it from your girl:

if you stay a punishment, forgo the use of cruel chains,

let her be thankful to you, for what you did:

the advantage is yours: the title ‘giver’ is your lover’s:

you lose nothing, she plays the mistress’s part.

But whoever you are, who want to keep your girl,

she must think that you’re inspired by her beauty.

If she’s dressed in Tyrian robes, praise Tyrian:

if she’s in Coan silk, consider Coan fitting.

She’s in gold-thread? She’s more precious than gold:

She wears wool, approve the wool she’s wearing.

She leaves off her tunic, cry: ‘You set me on fire’,

but request her anxiously to beware of chills.

She’s parted her hair: praise the parting:

she waves her hair: be pleased with the waves.

Admire her limbs as she dances, her voice when she sings,

and when it finishes, grieve that it’s finished in words.

It’s fine if you tell her what delights, and what gives joy

about her lovemaking, her skill in bed.

Though she’s more violent than fierce Medusa,

she’ll be ‘kind and gentle’ to her lover.

But make sure of this: don’t let your expression

give your speech the lie, lest you seem a deceiver with words.

Art works when its hidden: discovery brings shame, and time destroys faith in everything of merit.”

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

Comfort Her in Sickness, Part IX of Book II:

Here is Part IX of Ovid’s Book II, teaching men how giving her comfort in sickness can help win her love.

“Often in autumn, when the season’s loveliest,

and the ripe grape’s dyed with purple juice,

when now we’re frozen solid, now drenched with heat,

the body’s listless in the changing air.

Your girl’s well in fact: but if she’s lying sick,

feels ill because of the unhealthy weather,

then let love and devotion be obvious to your girl,

then sow what you’ll reap later with full sickle.

Don’t be put off by the fretfulness of the patient,

let yours be the hand that does what she allows.

And be seen weeping, and don’t shrink from kisses,

let her parched mouth drink from your tears.

Pray a lot, but all aloud: and, as often as she lets you,

tell her happy dreams that you remembered.

And let the old woman come who cleanses room and bed,

bringing sulphur and eggs in her trembling hands.

The signs of a welcome devotion are in all this:

by these means into wills many have made their way.

But don’t let dislike for your attentions rise from illness,

only be charming, in your earnestness:

don’t prohibit food, or hand her cups of bitter stuff:

let your rival mix all that for her.”

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

Do Not Be Faint-Hearted, Win Over the Servants, and Give Little Gifts, as Ovid Taught

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The three poetic books of Ovid’s “Ars Amatoria” provided guidance on how to master the art of love for the men and women of the Roman Empire. His clever love advice has been passed down from generation to generation. His poetry taught men and women the art of love and seduction.

The first two books instruct men on how to flirt, converse, and seduce women. Ovid’s love poetry gives men and women sage and entertaining advice on how to find and maintain a lover.

Even though contemporary people live in a different time and place than ancient Romans did, I believe they will still find these books fascinating and interesting to read. So, I included passages from these books in a few articles. Many old ideas about love continue to be suitable and valuable for those who love and study love today.

So, I took a few of them from Anthony Kline’s translations of Ovid’s magnificent books and posted them on my blog (Kline, 2001).

The charming poems of book 1 teach us about

“What Is His Task” (Part 1),

“How to Find Her” (Part 2),

“Search for Love While Walking” (Part 3),

“Search for Love while at the Theatre” (Part 4),

“Search for Love at the Races or Circus” (Part 5),

“Triumphs that Are Good to Attract a Woman” (Part 6),

“Search for Love around the Dinner-Table and on the Beach” (Parts 7 and 8),

“How to Win Her” (Part 9),

“How to Know the Maid” (Part 10),

“How to Be Attentive to Her” (Part 11),

“How to Make Promises of Love to Her” (Part 12),

“How to Woo and Seduce a Woman” (Parts 13 and 14),

“How to Captivate a Woman at Dinner” (Part 15),

“How to Make Promises and Deceive” (Part 16),

“How Tears, Kisses, Taking the Lead Can Help in Love Affairs” (Part 17),

“Psychology Love Tricks in the Art of Love” (Parts 18-19).

Here are Parts V, VI, and VII of Ovid’s Book II, teaching men how beneficial it is for them (a) not to be faint-hearted, (b) win over the servants, and (c) give her little tasteful gifts. All these things are the important things in the art of love.

Don’t Be Faint-Hearted, Part V of Book II:

Here is Part V of Ovid’s Book II, teaching men how beneficial it is for them not to be faint-hearted.

“Love is a kind of warfare. Slackers, dismiss!

There are no cowards guarding this standard.

Night and winter, long roads and cruel sorrows,

and every kind of labour are found on love’s campaigns.

You’ll often endure rain pouring from heavenly clouds,

and frozen, lie there on the naked earth.

They say that Phoebus grazed Admetus’s cattle,

and found shelter in a humble hut.

Who can’t suit what suited Phoebus? Lose your pride,

you who’d have love’s sorrows tamed.

If you’re denied a safe and level road,

and the door barred with a bolt against you,

then drop down head-first through the open roof:

a high window too offers a secret way.

She’ll be glad, knowing the chase itself is risky for you:

that will be sure proof to the lady of your love.

You might often have been parted from your girl, Leander: you swam across so she could know your heart.”

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

Win Over the Servants, Part VI of Book II:

Here is Part VI of Ovid’s Book II, teaching men how beneficial it is for them to win over the servants.

“Nor is it shameful to you to cultivate her maids,

according to their grades, and the serving men.

Greet them by their names (it costs you nothing)

clasp humble hands with yours, in your ambition.

And even offer the servant, who asks, a little something

on Fortune’s Day (it’s little enough to pay):

and the maid, on that day when the hand of punishment fell

on the Gauls, they deluded by maids in mistress’s clothes.

Trust me, make the people yours: especially the gatekeeper,

and whoever lies in front of her bedroom doors.”

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

Give Her Little Tasteful Gifts, Part VII of Book II:

Here is Part VII of Ovid’s Book II, teaching men how beneficial it is for them to give little tasteful gifts.

“I don’t tell you to give your mistress expensive gifts:

give little but of that little, skilfully, give what’s fitting.

When the field is full of riches, when the branches bend

with the weight, let the boy bring a gift in a rustic basket.

You can say it was sent from your country villa,

even though it was bought on the Via Sacra.

Send grapes, or those nuts Amaryllis loved,

chestnuts, but she doesn’t love them now.

Why even thrushes are fine, and the gift of a dove,

to witness your remembrance of your mistress.

Shameful to send them hoping for the death of some childless

old man. Ah, perish those who make giving a crime!

Do I also teach that you send tender verses?

Ah me, poems are not honoured much.

Songs are praised, but its gifts they really want:

barbarians themselves are pleasing, so long as they’re rich.

Truly now it is the Age of Gold: the greatest honours

come with gold: love’s won by gold.

Even if you came, Homer, with the Muses as companions,

if you brought nothing with you, Homer, you’d be out.

Still there are cultured girls, the rarest set:

and another set who aren’t, but would like to be.

Praise either in song: and they’ll commend

the reader whatever his voice’s sweetness:

So sing your midnight song to one and the other, perhaps it will figure as a trifling gift.”

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