Metamorphoses · Chapter
Story of Cippus explained
Cippus, a noble Roman returning victorious, discovers horns growing on his forehead.
What happens
Cippus, a noble Roman returning victorious, discovers horns growing on his forehead. Soothsayers interpret this as a sign that he will become king if he enters Rome. To avoid enslaving his country, Cippus voluntarily banishes himself, and the grateful senate grants him a large portion of land outside the city walls.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Prophecy
The horns on Cippus's forehead are a prophetic sign foretelling his potential reign, and the soothsayers interpret the omens to reveal his destiny.
Transformation and Metamorphosis
Cippus undergoes a physical transformation with horns growing on his forehead, which alters his fate and identity.
Characters to notice
- Romulus
Referenced as the founder of Rome, whose race Cippus defends.
Key passages
“A noble Roman, named Cippus, while returning victorious to the city, finds horns growing on his forehead, which are pronounced by the soothsayers to foretell his future reign if he should enter Rome.”
Cippus, a Roman hero, discovers horns sprouting from his head as he returns from battle, and seers declare this omen means he will become king if he enters the city.
Introduces the central conflict of the story.
“Unwilling to enslave his country, he voluntarily banishes himself; and a large portion of land without the city walls is allotted for his support by the grateful senate.”
Rather than impose tyranny on Rome, Cippus chooses exile, and the senate rewards his virtue with a generous tract of land outside the gates.
Highlights Cippus's selfless patriotism.