The goddess Diana in the Art of Love: Ovid and the Greek tradition

This paper deals with the presence of the goddess Diana within Ovid's Ars Amatoria. In particular, it analyses the two passages in which the poet refers to the goddess: despite their literary complexity and refinement, these passages have never been fully and deeply studied until now. In this case, together with an analysis of the verses themselves, they will be seen also through the clarification of Greek literary tradition, which is much more present in Ovid's text than it is usually admitted. The portrait of Diana in the Ars Amatoria, in conclusion, is rather unique, and it finally deserves the attention that it lacked within Ovid's commentaries.