Özet:

Publius Ovidius Naso was exiled by the edict of Augustus at the age of 51 in December 8 A.D. Although the exact reason for his exile is not known, it seems likely that it was due to a fault for behaviour against Augustus that led to this direct reaction. The city of Tomis (Constanta/Dobrogea), which falls a little north of the Danube River Golden Horn, was chosen as the place of exile of Ovidius. He had to live here for the rest of his life. As compared to Rome, this city not only had harsh winter conditions, but at the same time, tribes such as Getae, Sarmatae and Scythae (Scythians) lived in its vicinity, who continued in their nomadic lifestyles. While in exile, Ovidius wrote three works in the form of poetry, which can also be described as apologetic letters: Tristia/Laments, Epistulae ex Ponto/ Letters from the Black Sea and Ibis. In these poems, he claims that the winter conditions in Tomis are very harsh and long-lasting, and that food shortages occurred in the city due to both plundering and raids and from the climatic conditions. In this study, evidence is brought forward that Ovidius in the above-mentioned three works aimed at misrepresenting his conditions of life and even exaggerated the existence of the hostile Scythians in the vicinity, in order to free himself from exile.

Anahtar Kelimeler: