Talking Trees: Philemon and Baucis Revisited

Ovid's Philemon and Baucis episode (Metamorphoses 8.618-724) is one of his best-loved narratives, yet little account has been taken of its underlying structure and determining motifs. This paper argues that the old couple's final metamorphosis into trees is foreshadowed in the earlier details of Ovid's scene-setting: every item of food or furniture in the old couple's hut has some connection with either trees or old age. It is further proposed that the transformation of the hut by stages into a golden temple can be read as a history of Roman architecture.