Creation

Metamorhposes begins with the very beginning. The book written by Ovid starts with the creation of our planet. They way the creation is described is very similar to the theories of other religions, and some scientists. "Before there was earth or sea or the sky that covers everything, Nature appeared the same throughout the whole world: what we call chaos: a raw confused mass, nothing but inert matter, badly combined discordant atoms of things, confused in the one place." (Book I:1-20 The Primal Chaos). Ovid and the scientists who believe in the Big Bang Theory agree. Scientists believe that before the Big Bang, the whole universe was in one small nugget. What followed is where scientists and Ovid disagree. In the Big Bang, there was a huge explosion (what a surprise), and in Metamorhposes a god created Earth. This part is the one that agrees with many religions such as Catholicism. Catholics believe that God created the universe, just like Ovid.

The beauty of Ovid's theory is that it combines religion and science. "I want to speak about bodies changed into new forms. You, gods, since you are the ones who alter these, and all other things, inspire my attempt, and spin out a continuous thread of words, from the world's first origins to my own time." This is the very first sentence of Metamorhposes, which shows us that Ovid believes in a polytheistic religion. "Earth, heavier than either of these, drew down the largest elements, and was compressed by its own weight. The surrounding water took up the last space and enclosed the solid world." (Book I:21-31 Separation of the elements). Ovid's theory of creation has a term that deals with elements, and makes sense. This is extraordinary because of the book's age. This theory originated thousands of years ago. It has the characteristics of a more recent theory because it combines science and religion.