Exploring Ovid’s big ideas

In an age where machines seem to be doing more and more ‘human’ tasks, we are all constantly grappling with the question: ‘what makes a human, human’? The Roman poet Ovid also asked this question – it was one of many big questions about the world that he asked which we are still struggling with today. Others, like ‘how did the world begin?’ or ‘should we eat animals?’ are also discussed in this ancient poet’s work. 

In this free course, Exploring Ovid’s big ideas, you will find out why Ovid’s work is still so relevant today. You will meet characters from ancient myth like Actaeon the hunter who was turned into a stag, and Ta’aroa the ancient Pacific Islander god who lived in a shell. And you will discover how ancient stories still give us new ways of thinking about the modern world’s biggest questions.

Interested in taking your learning further? You might find it helpful to explore the Open University’s Classical Studies courses and qualifications.