Metamorphoses · Chapter
Book XIV explained
The chapter covers the deification of Aeneas, the story of Vertumnus and Pomona, the misfortunes of Diomedes, the transformation of Appulus, the transformation of Trojan ships into sea nymphs, and the final victory of Aeneas over Turnus lea
What happens
The chapter covers the deification of Aeneas, the story of Vertumnus and Pomona, the misfortunes of Diomedes, the transformation of Appulus, the transformation of Trojan ships into sea nymphs, and the final victory of Aeneas over Turnus leading to his apotheosis.
Themes in this chapter
Transformation and Metamorphosis
Multiple transformations occur: Aeneas's apotheosis, Agmon turned into a bird, Appulus into a wild olive, and Trojan ships into sea nymphs.
Divine Power and Human Folly
Gods like Venus, Jove, and Cybele intervene directly; humans like Appulus and Agmon suffer for their disrespect toward deities.
Love and Desire
Vertumnus's persistent pursuit of Pomona and the tragic love of Canens for Picus highlight themes of desire and devotion.
Fate and Prophecy
Aeneas's destiny to found Rome and his apotheosis are presented as ordained by fate and divine will.
Characters to notice
- Aeneas
Good Aeneas raises a funeral flame for his nurse, sails to Italy, wins Lavinia and Latinus's throne after war, and is ultimately deified.
- Venus
Mother goddess who pleads with Jove to deify Aeneas, and later anoints him with ambrosial dews.
- Jove
Almighty arbiter who seals the apotheosis of Aeneas in a divine conclave.
- Juno
Sits in the divine senate and feels remorse for past revenge, consenting to Aeneas's deification.
- Vertumnus
The god who pursues Pomona in various disguises, including as an old woman, to win her love.
- Pomona
A hamadryad skilled in garden culture who shuns love and marriage, but is courted by Vertumnus.
- Diomedes
Exiled Greek king who recounts his misfortunes to the Rutulian embassy, including the transformation of his companion Agmon into a bird.
- Turnus
Rutulian leader who demands Lavinia, sets fire to the Trojan ships, and is ultimately slain by Aeneas.
Key passages
“Rome, Fit for the station of his kindred stars, His mother goddess thus her suit prefers: 'Almighty arbiter, whose powerful nod Shakes distant earth, and bows our own abode; To thy great progeny indulgent be, And rank the goddess-born a deity.'”
Venus asks Jove to make Aeneas a god, saying he is worthy of a place among the stars.
This passage introduces Aeneas's deification, a key event in the chapter.
“The horned flood with glad attention stands, Then bids his streams obey their sire's commands. His better parts by lustral waves refined, More pure, and nearer to ethereal mind, With gums of fragrant scent the goddess strews, And on his features breathes ambrosial dews.”
The river god Numicius purifies Aeneas with his waters, and Venus anoints him with perfumes and ambrosia, making him divine.
This describes the ritual of Aeneas's transformation into a deity.
“Vertumnus too pursued the maid no less; But with his rivals shared a like success. To gain access a thousand ways he tries: Oft, in the hind, the lover would disguise.”
Vertumnus, like other suitors, failed to win Pomona, but he tried many disguises to get close to her.
This sets up Vertumnus's persistent courtship of Pomona.
“Now, strange to tell, the plants sweat drops of blood, The trees are toss'd from forests where they stood. Blue serpents o'er the tainted herbage slide, Pale glaring spectres on the ether ride, Dogs howl, earth yawns, rent rocks forsake their beds, And from their quarries heave their stubborn heads.”
Ominous signs appear: plants bleed, trees move, snakes appear, ghosts ride the air, dogs howl, and rocks break free from the earth.
These portents accompany the transformation of Picus and the wrath of Circe.
“The bold Rutulians, with an equal speed, Sage Venulus despatch to Diomed. The king, late griefs revolving in his mind, These reasons for neutrality assign'd: 'Shall I, of one poor dotal town possess'd, My people thin, my wretched country waste; An exiled prince, and on a shaking throne; Or risk my patron's subjects, or my own?'”
The Rutulians send Venulus to ask Diomedes for help, but Diomedes refuses, citing his own misfortunes and precarious position.
Diomedes's refusal highlights the consequences of the Trojan War and his exile.
“The disrespectful treatment of the wood nymphs by Appulus is punished by his transformation into a wild olive-tree.”
Appulus mocks the wood nymphs and is turned into a wild olive tree as punishment.
This transformation underscores the theme of divine retribution for irreverence.
