Introduction to Ovid’s Ars Amatoria, Book 3

Welcome to one of the most playful and provocative texts in the Love and Relationships module! After spending the first two books of Ars Amatoria (The Art of Love) giving dating advice to men, Ovid turns his attention to women in Book 3. He claims he wants to "arm the Amazons" so that the "battle" between the sexes is fair.

For your OCR A Level, it is important to understand not just what Ovid says, but how his advice reflects Roman attitudes toward gender, status, and morality during the reign of Augustus. Don't worry if his advice seems a bit cynical or strange at first—Ovid is writing as a sophisticated "Professor of Love" (praeceptor amoris), and he loves to be cheeky!

1. The Purpose: Arming the Women

Ovid begins Book 3 by explaining that since he has already taught men how to find and keep a lover, it would be unfair to leave women defenseless. He uses a lot of military metaphors, suggesting that love is a type of warfare (militia amoris).

Key Concept: The Praeceptor Amoris
Ovid presents himself as an expert teacher. He isn't writing about "true love" or marriage in the way we might think of it today. Instead, he focuses on erotic conquest and the "game" of relationships. He wants his female readers to be just as skilled as the men at playing this game.

2. Cultus: The Importance of Artifice

One of the most important themes in Book 3 is cultus. This refers to "cultivation," "refinement," or "grooming." Ovid argues that natural beauty is rare, so women must use "art" (skill and technique) to improve themselves.

A. Grooming and Makeup

Ovid gives very specific advice on how women should present themselves:

  • Hair: He suggests different hairstyles for different face shapes. A long face needs a simple parting; a round face needs a little knot on the top of the head.
  • Clothing: He warns against expensive purple or gold fabrics. Instead, he suggests colors inspired by nature, like the sky or sea, which are more elegant and less "showy."
  • Makeup: He encourages the use of powder for paleness and rouge for cheeks. However—and this is a big point—he insists that men should never see the process. He tells women to hide their "beautifying tools" and only show the finished result.

B. Concealing Flaws

Ovid is very practical. He tells women to be aware of their physical "defects" and hide them. For example:

  • If you are short, sit down so you don't look small.
  • If you have bad teeth, don't laugh too much.
  • If you are very thin, wear loose clothing.

Key Takeaway: For Ovid, beauty is not just something you are born with; it is something you create through effort and skill. This reflects the Roman value of artifice over raw nature.

3. Behaving Like a "Lady" (The Games Women Play)

Ovid doesn't just care about looks; he cares about performance. To attract a man, a woman must be entertaining and "cultured."

A. Accomplishments

He advises women to learn skills that make them more desirable:

  • Music and Poetry: Women should be able to sing and play the lyre. They should also be well-read in Greek and Roman poetry (including Ovid's own work!).
  • Dancing and Games: Knowing how to dance gracefully and play board games (like "Twelve Lines") is essential because it provides opportunities for flirting.

B. Being Seen

Ovid tells women they cannot stay at home. They must go to public places to be noticed:

  • The Theatres and Circuses.
  • The Forums and public walks.
  • The Temple of Isis (a popular spot for meeting people).
"What is a hidden face?" Ovid asks. He argues that there is no point in being beautiful if no one is there to admire you.

4. Deception and Adultery

This is where Ovid gets into a bit of trouble with the Roman authorities. He gives women advice on how to trick their guards or husbands to meet their lovers.

Techniques of Deception:

  • Writing secret letters using fresh milk (which can only be read when coal dust is sprinkled over it).
  • Using a "trusty maid" to carry messages in her clothing.
  • Pretending to go to a religious festival to sneak away.

Status and the Law:
At the time Ovid was writing, the Emperor Augustus had passed the Julian Laws (lex Julia) which made adultery a serious crime. To protect himself, Ovid often claims he is only writing for libertinae (freedwomen) or women who don't have the "proper" status of a married Roman matron. However, the advice he gives often seems applicable to any woman, which many historians think is why Ovid was eventually exiled.

5. Sexual Freedom and Power

Ovid encourages women to be proactive in love. He suggests that women should not be passive; they should feel pleasure and ensure their partners do too.

Key Ideas:

  • Mutual Pleasure: Ovid argues that both men and women should enjoy the act of love. He believes that sex is better when both partners find it fulfilling.
  • Control: By following his rules, a woman gains power over her lover. She learns how to make him jealous, how to keep him interested, and how to manage his emotions.

Did you know?
Ovid's advice often sounds like modern "dating tips" from a magazine! For example, he tells women to "make him wait a little" to increase his desire, but not to wait so long that he gets bored and leaves. This "push and pull" strategy is a classic Ovidian move.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thinking Ovid is a Romantic: Ovid isn't interested in soulmates. He sees relationships as a sophisticated hobby or a competitive game.
2. Ignoring the Context: Always remember the Augustan context. Ovid’s focus on adultery and pleasure was a direct challenge to the Emperor's "family values" campaign.
3. Taking him too literally: Ovid is often being funny or satirical. He wants to entertain his readers as much as teach them.

Key Takeaways for Revision

- Art vs. Nature: Beauty and attraction are skills (Ars) that can be learned and practiced.
- Cultus: The importance of grooming, fashion, and sophisticated behavior.
- Strategy: Love requires planning, including how to hide flaws and how to deceive rivals or guards.
- Gender Roles: Ovid empowers women by giving them the same "weapons" as men, though he still views them through a very male-centric lens of physical beauty and performance.

For more on how Ovid's views compare to other ancient thinkers, see the chapters on "Plato on love and desire" and "Seneca on love and desire."