Ovid

The Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso (43 B.C. to 8 A.D.), who came from a wealthy noble family, studied rhetoric in Rome and Athens and, after extensive travel, took up a position in the civil service, but soon gave it up in favour of poetry. In the last year of his life he was banished to the Black Sea by Emperor Augustus (63 B.C. to 14 A.D.) and was never allowed to return to Rome despite many petitions for mercy. In his work "Amores", which depicts a connoisseur enjoying himself, he describes the quality of some antique wines. The one of the Scythians (Iranian ethnic group that immigrated to the Balkans) does not come off well, he describes it as so strong "that you need an axe to cut it".

Among other important Roman poets such as Horace and Vergil, he also wrote many poetic verses about wine. He sang about the changing effects of wine, especially regarding the quantity. In his work "Ars amatoria" (Art of Love) he described the correct dosage in his opinion as a positive aphrodisiac as follows: "Is it not God Bacchus who calls me, his poet? He stands by lovers. Even to the flames he leads their fire. When you lie blissfully at the side of the beautiful in a joyful feast, pray the gods that the wine does not confuse your senses. Mighty drunkenness disturbs, it harms and disgusts. But a tiny drop of intoxication, more so than drink, will help you to play See also Satyricon and Drinking Culture and Sayings of Famous Personalities under Quotes.

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Ovid

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