43-17 BC. Roman poet. His poetry deals mainly
with the themes of love (Amores 20BC, Ars
amatoria 1 BC), mythology (Metamorphoses AD
2), and exile (Tristia AD 9-12). Born at
Sulmo, Ovid studied rhetoric in Rome in
preparation for a legal career, but soon
turned to literature. In 8 BC he was banished
by Augustus to Tomi, on the Black Sea, where
he died. This punishment, supposedly for his
immoral Ars amatoria, was probably because of
some connection with Julia, the profligate
daughter of Augustus.