The poem is the only one in the _Ex Ponto_ addressed to Albinovanus. Considering the elder Seneca's express testimony that Albinovanus was a close friend of Ovid (see at 4 [pp 327-28]), this is rather surprising; perhaps Albinovanus, an associate of Germanicus (Tac _Ann_ I 60 2), had, like some of Ovid's other friends, asked not to be mentioned in his verse. The poem begins with the statement that Ovid is now in his sixth year of exile; unlike flint and iron, he is not touched by the passing of time (1-8). He says that his tribulations are like those of Ulysses, but more severe; there follows a comparison of his experiences with those of Ulysses (9-30). He then describes the bleakness of the climate, and how the sea freezes over in winter (31-34). He has heard that his accounts are not believed at Rome, and will therefore explain the reasons for the sea's freezing over (35-38). At Tomis the north wind prevails, and the salinity of the sea is reduced by the influx of many large rivers (which are listed in a catalogue); the sea's freezing is caused by these two factors (39-64). He is telling all this to Albinovanus to pass the time; Albinovanus is writing poetry as well, about Theseus, who is an example for him to follow (65-82). Ovid does not wish to imply that Albinovanus is not already doing everything possible to assist him (83-84). The poem combines with remarkable ease a number of quite disparate subjects, and is in this sense reminiscent of Tibullus. Most of the subjects had been used previously in the poetry of exile; in particular, see _Tr_ I v 57-84 for an extended comparison of the trials of Ulysses and those of Ovid. The disquisition on the reasons for the Euxine's freezing over is, however, new. It seems to have been drawn from a geographical or physical treatise which has left its mark elsewhere in Latin literature: see at 37-38 (p 340-42). =1. CIMMERIO= _British Library Harley 2607 (Tarrant)_ CVMERIO _M1_ IN ETIAM MEMORI _C_ IN ********** _B1_ IN HEMONIO _HITP_ IN EVXINO _F_ IN exino _B2c_ BISTONIO _LM2ul_ Many centuries had passed since the Cimmerians had inhabited Scythia; even Herodotus, who tells the story of their departure, seems to regard the event as belonging to the distant past (IV 11-12). Homer was vaguely aware of the nation: at _Od_ XI 13-19 (imitated at _Pan Mess_ 64-66), he speaks of the '[Greek: Kimmeriôn andrôn ... polis]' by the stream of Ocean, which never receives sunlight. For _Cimmerio_ Burman compared Claudian _Cons Stil_ I 129 'nunc prope Cimmerii tendebat litora _Ponti_'; see as well _In Eutr_ I 249 'extra _Cimmerias_, Taurorum claustra, paludes'. =1. BIS TERTIA ... AESTAS.= The poem is therefore dated to the summer of 14. For Ovid's mentions of the length of his exile, see at vi 5 _quinquennis_ (p 227).