The myth of Zeus' test - Iseult Gillespie

The story of Baucis and Philemon is a rare love story in Greek mythology, both for its relatively happy ending and for spotlighting an older couple. The story appears in Ovid’s metamorphosis, a collection concerned with the transformation of mortals and Gods – in this case, Baucis and Philemon are transformed into trees. You can read Ovid’s full version here and a condensed version here. For further commentary on the myth as well as some artistic representations of the couple through time, see Madeline Miller’s commentary here. 

The story has inspired artists from Rembrandt to Rubins, and many more examples can be seen here. In addition to visual art, Baucis and Philemon appear in later literary works including the seventeenth century English poet John Dryden’s “The Story of Baucis and Philemon”, and Enlightenment writer and satirist Jonathan Swift’s “Baucis and Philemon.”

Alongside love, one of the key themes in this myth is xenia. This is the Ancient Greek concept of generosity and hospitality, which Baucis and Philemon are rewarded for. As this piece explains, xenia is a recurring theme across Greek mythology.