# Deification of Julius Caesar explained — Metamorphoses

> Chapter companion for Metamorphoses by Ovid.

## What happens

Venus, unable to prevent the assassination of Julius Caesar, seeks his deification. Jupiter reveals the immutable decrees of fate, foretelling Caesar's transformation into a star and the rise of Augustus. Despite omens and divine warnings, the conspirators murder Caesar in the temple. Venus then carries his soul to the heavens, where it becomes a comet.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Metamorphosis

Caesar's soul is transformed into a comet and he is deified, ascending to the heavens.

### Fate and Prophecy

Jupiter reveals the unchangeable decrees of fate, foretelling Caesar's death and apotheosis, as well as Augustus's future reign.

### Divine Power and Human Folly

Despite divine omens and Venus's pleas, human conspirators murder Caesar, showing the limits of divine intervention against fate.

## Character check-ins

### Venus

Venus, as Caesar's divine mother, pleads with the gods to save him and ultimately carries his soul to the stars.

### Jove

Jupiter consoles Venus and reveals the unchangeable fate that Caesar will become a god and his heir Augustus will rule.

### Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar is assassinated in the senate, but his soul is deified and transformed into a comet by Venus.

### Augustus

Augustus is foretold as Caesar's heir, destined to bring peace and order to the Roman world.

### Aeneas

Aeneas is referenced as the ancestor of Caesar and Augustus, linking the Julian line to Troy.

## Key lines

> He, goddess, for whose death the fates you blame, Has finish’d his determined course with fame: To thee ’tis given at length, that he shall shine Among the gods, and grace the worshipp’d shrine

The man whose death you lament has completed his fated path gloriously; you are granted that he will become a god and be honored in temples.

_Jupiter tells Venus that Caesar's death is fated but he will be deified._

> Glowing with newborn fires she saw it rise; Forth springing from her bosom up it flew, And, kindling as it soar’d, a comet grew

Venus saw Caesar's soul rise from her embrace, glowing with new life, and as it ascended it ignited into a comet.

_The moment of Caesar's apotheosis, his soul becoming a celestial body._

## Links

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