The last 25 years have seen a dramatic revival in the popularity of Ovid, making him one of the most popular and widely studied ancient authors. This book provides a concise and accessible introduction to the complete works of the Latin poet, famous for his risqué love poetry, riveting mythological epic Metamorphoses, and mysterious exile at the orders of the emperor Augustus.

Using a thematic approach, Volk lays out what we know about Ovid's life, presents the author's works within their poetic genres, and discusses such central Ovidian themes as art, women, and Augustan Rome, before concluding with a study of Ovid's reception over the past 2,000 years.

The book reflects the latest insights of Ovidian scholarship and will be an indispensable companion to those approaching Ovid for the first time, as well as to more seasoned readers and critics.