Pyramus

Pyramus

Pyramus is a character that appears in the work Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid. He lived in Babylon, and was the lover of Thisbe, both living in connected houses, but being forbidden to marry by their parents, who were rivals. However, the two lovers were able to express their feelings to each other through a crack in a wall, and decided to meet near the tomb of Ninus under a mulberry tree. Thisbe arrived first, but saw a lioness that had blood all over the mouth because of hunting; Thisbe, frightened, fled losing her veil in the process. When Pyramus arrived, he saw the veil, and horrified thinking that Thisbe was dead, fell on his sword and died. His blood fell on the white mulberry fruit, staining them. Thisbe returned shortly afterwards only to find Pyramus' body on the ground. She mourned and after a bit, she took the sword and killed herself with it. In the end, the gods, touched by Thisbe's mourning, decided to permanently turn the colour of the mulberry fruit to dark, reminding the relationship of the two young lovers.

See Also: Thisbe

Pyramus Q&A

Who was Pyramus?

Pyramus is a character that appears in the work Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid. He lived in Babylon, and was the lover of Thisbe, both living in connected houses, but being forbidden to marry by their parents, who were rivals.

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