014 - Hypermnestra to Lynceus

Discover the enchanting world of Heroides, a captivating collection of poems by Ovid that features letters from iconic mythological figures to their beloveds. Renowned for its unique premise, the Heroides not only showcases the emotional depth of these characters but is also celebrated as one of the earliest examples of the epistolary genre—a claim famously asserted by Ovid in his work, Ars Amatoria. This collection contains 21 letters, divided into two distinct parts the first features fifteen heartfelt letters supposedly penned by female mythological characters to their lovers, while the second, known as the Double Heroides, presents three pairs of letters where heroes write first, followed by the heroines poignant responses. Alongside Ovids Metamorphoses and Ars Amatoria, the Heroides stand as one of his most influential works, leaving a lasting impact from Antiquity through the Middle Ages and into Modern times. (Summary by Leni)