Context Essay

     The Flood in book one of Ovid’s Metamorphoses is a take on a classic story reflecting the Roman worldview. Like most civilizations, Romans shared a story of a biblical flood spurred on by the sins of man. Ovid’s story is no different; it describes Jove, king of the gods, as he submerges the Earth under water. 

     The Flood is early in The Metamorphoses, and its context begins with the creation of Earth from chaos at the start of time. This was the start of the golden age, a period of peace and eternal spring which lasted until Saturn was driven to the land of death. Upon his departure, Jove took command of the world, marking the beginning of the silver age, an era of change. Jove shortened spring, added the other seasons, and maintained peace. That peace lasted until the bronze age when humans and beasts alike began to act more aggressive, culminating in the iron age. All evil was let loose, all virtues departed. Even heaven was not safe; giants piled mountain on mountain to steal Jove’s throne. He struck them down with thunderbolts, leaving a pile of corpses.

Recognizing the evil of this age, Jove called the gods together and told them of a visit to Earth. He had met a wicked king who had mocked him. Lycaon, the Arcadian king, threatened to kill Jove in his sleep and offered to feed him human meat which enraged the god. Jove hurled lightning at the king, turning him into a picture of savagery: a wolf. After this encounter, Jove decided humans must be replaced, that a race created from miracle must walk the Earth. He opted to flood the land with water for fear that using his lighting may create a fire which reached heaven, and he unchained the southern wind.

     The story following The Flood is about Deucalion and Pyrrha, the sole survivors of Jove’s purge. At first, they fail to repopulate the Earth, but eventually they succeed by throwing rocks over their shoulders as instructed by the gods, representing the children born of miracle Jove had hoped for. 

     Almost every culture shares a flood story, but Ovid’s version represents the Roman tradition. It features notable Roman figures including Neptune, the Nereids, and Jove who are found all throughout The Metamorphoses. It also reflects Roman values of democracy through its rejection of Lycaon’s monarchy.