The Metamorphoses characters

Also known as Jove

Appears from the start

King of the gods and ruler of the sky. He sends the great flood after judging humanity corrupt, and repeatedly changes or disrupts mortal lives through desire, punishment, and rescue.

Appears from the start

Queen of the gods and Jupiter's wife. Angered by his affairs, she often turns her power against the women he pursues and their children.

Also known as Phoebus

Appears from the start

God of prophecy, music, healing, and the sun. After defeating Python, he mocks Cupid and is made to desire Daphne, whose flight ends in her transformation into the laurel.

Appears from the start

A nymph devoted to independence and the hunt. Pursued by Apollo, she calls on her father for escape and is transformed into a laurel tree.

Appears from the start

Daughter of the river god Inachus. Jupiter's pursuit brings her suffering when she is changed into a heifer and guarded under Juno's jealous watch.

First appears in chapter 2

The mortal son of the Sun who seeks proof of his divine parentage. He asks to drive his father's chariot, but cannot control its destructive course.

First appears in chapter 3

A Phoenician prince sent to find his abducted sister Europa. He follows divine instruction, founds Thebes, and begins a family repeatedly touched by divine power and disaster.

Also known as Dionysus

First appears in chapter 3

Son of Jupiter and Semele and god of wine and ecstatic worship. He rewards acceptance and destroys resistance when he brings his rites to Thebes.

First appears in chapter 4

Son of Jupiter and Danae, equipped with divine gifts after killing Medusa. He rescues Andromeda and defends their marriage with the power of Medusa's head.

Also known as Persephone

First appears in chapter 5

Daughter of Ceres, abducted by Pluto while gathering flowers. Her divided life between the upper world and the underworld shapes the earth's fertility.

First appears in chapter 6

A Lydian weaver whose skill leads her to challenge Minerva. Her tapestry exposes divine abuses, and the contest ends with her transformed into a spider.

First appears in chapter 7

A Colchian princess and magician who falls in love with Jason. She betrays her family to help him win the Golden Fleece and later uses her arts for rejuvenation and revenge.

First appears in chapter 8

An ingenious Athenian craftsman held on Crete by Minos. He makes wings for himself and his son Icarus so they can escape by air.

Also known as Heracles

First appears in chapter 9

Son of Jupiter and celebrated hero. A poisoned garment destroys his mortal body, after which his divine part is received among the gods.

First appears in chapter 10

A musician able to move animals, trees, stones, and the powers below with his song. After Eurydice dies, he enters the underworld to seek her return.

First appears in chapter 13

A Trojan hero who survives the fall of his city and carries its future westward. His travels connect the Greek heroic age with the legendary foundations of Rome.