This work investigates how the Roman poet Ovid systematically engaged with, reinterpreted, and transformed the Homeric epics throughout his literary career. Barbara Weiden Boyd, a scholar of Latin literature, utilizes a rigorous analysis of Ovidian texts to argue that Ovid did not merely imitate Homer but actively asserted his own authority as a reader and critic. By examining specific episodes and characters, the author demonstrates how Ovid utilized intertextuality to construct a complex poetics of paternity and desire, effectively renewing Greek epic traditions for a Roman audience.

Scholars in the field of classical studies recognize this text as a significant contribution to the understanding of Ovidian intertextuality and the reception of Homer in antiquity. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for an audience familiar with Latin literature and classical scholarship.