Metamorphoses of Orpheus
The Roman poet Ovid (43 BC - 17 AD) spoke in his poem Metamorphoses about the isolated Orpheus at the end of his life, describing the melancholy poet who sings to the trees and wildlife with his music. In Book Ten of the poem, Ovid wrote:
“This is the group of shady trees attracted by Orpheus, as he sat among a dense gathering of birds and beasts.”
And again in Book Eleven, he wrote:
“With songs like these, the poet enchanted the forests, charmed the beasts and forced the rocks to follow him.”
__Ovid (Metamorphoses) Book Ten, pp. (143-144)
Book Eleven, pp. (1 - 2)
Orpheus in Greek mythology is a legendary writer, poet, and musician. He learned to play from Apollo, and with his playing he attracted animals and even inanimate objects around him to listen to his melodies. Roman poets such as Ovid and Juvenal wrote about him.
*The image is of an ancient Roman floor mosaic depicting Orpheus surrounded by animals. Regional Archaeological Museum (Palermo).
• Source: Metamorphoses (10.143-144 and 11.1-2) by Ovid. Translated by David Raeburn. Penguin Classics, Revised Edition, 2004..
• Image: Orpheus surrounded by animals. Ancient Roman floor mosaic, from Palermo (Museo archeologico regionale di Palermo).