Introduction
Esteemed jury members, it is essential to note that this case pertains not to any alleged unjust treatment or prejudice against a poet but to the essential responsibility of adhering to legal statutes. During his tenure, my client, Emperor Augustus, enacted and advocated for legislative measures about monogamy and familial principles, notably the Julian Laws of 17-18 BCE (Spielvogel, 2019). As a result, in 8 CE, the accused individual was exiled from Rome (Spielvogel, 2019). The defendant and the author of Ars Amatoria addressed controversial topics, including infidelity and explicit sexual behavior, which may be considered morally objectionable.
Ovid’s “Art of Love“ and Its Clash with Augustan Morality
Most notably, the controversial poetry, The Art of Love, serves as a handbook for seducing females. By opening the poem with the line, “Now I’ll teach you how to captivate and hold the woman of your choice,“ the defendant unambiguously undermined the moral foundations of a new Roman society (Ovid & Spielvogel, 2019, p. 131).
The Nature of the Exile: Legal Grounds or Political Expediency?
Hence, the proposition that the accused committed illicit deeds and opposed the ethical program, thereby resulting in his expulsion, can be viewed as a measure to safeguard Roman values and regulations. The legal charge of maiestas laesa pertains to the act of harming the dignity of the state. State dignity encompasses the emperor’s endeavors in constructing an empire that embodies Roman values. Consequently, the need to take action against art that could potentially offend can be deemed necessary.
Consequences and Contradictions
Another factor that warrants consideration is that the available evidence pertains solely to Ovid himself. The witness in question exhibits a clear bias yet endeavors to demonstrate the inequity of the banishment. In Tristia, Ovid cites “carmen et error“ as the two factors that led to his exile, specifically a poem and a mistake (Tristia 2.207). Ovid states obliquely in a few sentences throughout his exilic writings that he has not done any offense and must remain “silent about the second fault“ (Tristia 2.208). The precise nature of this purported “error“ remains uncertain; however, the defendant’s admission attests to the profound impact of his poem.
Conclusion
As a result, we cannot consider this to be solid proof of his honesty and innocence. Even the daughter of Augustus, Julia, was exiled due to her involvement in adultery (Spielvogel, 2019). This highlights the importance of adherence to the law and the preservation of established moral principles by all members of society.
References
Ovid, & Spielvogel, J. J. (2019). Ovid and the Art of Love. In Western civilization: A brief history (p. 131). Cengage Learning.
Ovid. (1924). Ovid: Tristia. Ex Ponto (G. Gould, Trans.). Harvard University Press.
Spielvogel, J. J. (2019). Western civilization: A brief history. Cengage Learning.