Ovid and Petronius’ Pyramus and Thisbe (Satyricon 131.8-11 and Metamorphoses 4.55-166)

What is it about?

Petronius’ engagement with Ovid’s poetry in the Croton episode of the Satyricon is more extensive than has previously been appreciated. As well as drawing upon Ovidian elegiac poetry, especially Amores 3.7, the description of Encolpius’ second failed tryst with Circe at Satyricon 131.8-11 also alludes to Ovid’s narrative of Pyramus and Thisbe at Metamorphoses 4.55-166. This ironic perversion of one of the Metamorphoses’ most innocent and tragic narratives parallels Petronius’ later Ovidian allusion at 135.3-137.12, where the story of the pious couple Philemon and Baucis (Metamorphoses 8.616-724) is recalled during Encolpius’ visit to Oenothea’s hut. Petronius’ engagement with the Metamorphoses during Encolpius’ exploits in Croton is thus shown to be deeper than has previously been realised.

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