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Cover of Ars Amatoria

Ars Amatoria

Ovid

1006 pages

A cheeky, sophisticated masterclass in the timeless and theatrical art of Roman seduction.

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What it feels like

Reading this ancient manual on romance feels like sitting in a sun-drenched Roman courtyard with history's most charming, cynical wingman. The text moves at a brisk, playful clip, delivering its scandalous advice with a wink and a sophisticated smirk. It is a masterclass in irony, blending elegant mythological allusions with surprisingly timeless observations about human vanity, desire, and the theatrical game of seduction. The mood is cosmopolitan and decadent, inviting you into a world of secret glances at the chariot races and whispered promises at twilight. It delights readers who appreciate sharp social satire, classical elegance, and the realization that the messy, manipulative, and intoxicating dance of courtship has not changed in two millennia.

Mood
  • decadent
  • cosmopolitan
  • theatrical
  • sun-drenched
Tone
  • wry
  • playful
  • cynical
  • sophisticated
  • cheeky
Pace
brisk
Themes
the game of seduction · performative romance · urban sophistication · fleeting youth · social satire
The writing
Elegant, epigrammatic, and sparkling with mythological allusions and sharp wit.
The arc
Moves from eager anticipation and playful scheming to a cynical yet affectionate acceptance of love's absurdities.
Who it's for
Readers who enjoy classical antiquity, witty social satire, and timeless, slightly scandalous advice on romance.
Content notes
  • sexual content
  • infidelity
  • historical misogyny

About the book

A translation, by Thomas Heywood, of: Ars amatoria

Some copies are found with the engraved title page listed separately as STC 18936 (cf. also Wing O647B)

In this edition, C1r line 9 of text has "barke"; line 11 has "to thee by my new art,"

Identified as STC 18935a on UMI microfilm "Early English books, 1475-1640" reel 598; identified as Wing (2nd ed.) O647B and given the incorrect suggested imprint date of "1650?" on UMI microfilm "Early English books, 1641-1700"

Reproductions of the originals in the Folger Shakespeare Library and Harvard University. Library

Appears at "Early English books, 1475-1640" reel 598 (Folger Shakespeare Library copy) and at reel 1822 (Harvard University Library copy); appears at "Early English books, 1641-1700" reel 1799 (another Harvard University Library copy)

Each filmed copy has engraved title page STC 18936; in Folger copy on reel 598 it is a photostat of unknown origin

Microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mich.: UMI, 1987. 1 microfilm reel; 35 mm. (Early English books, 1641-1700; 1799:10)

Description from Open Library.

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