The narrative involving Deucalion within Ovid’s Metamorphoses, as rendered across different languages, constitutes a significant episode concerning the re-population of the Earth following a great flood. This story recounts how, after Jupiter sends a deluge to punish human wickedness, only Deucalion and his wife Pyrrha survive. They are instructed by an oracle to repopulate the world by casting stones behind them, which then transform into men and women.
The significance of this particular myth within the larger Metamorphoses lies in its exploration of themes such as divine justice, human resilience, and the cyclical nature of creation and destruction. Examining various linguistic versions of this tale offers insights into how translators interpret and convey the nuances of Ovids Latin. Differences in word choice, phrasing, and emphasis can reveal cultural and historical perspectives on the story’s core messages.
