“The Ars Amatoria (English: The Art of Love) is an instructional elegy series in three books by the ancient Roman poet Ovid. It was written in 2 AD. It teaches basic gentlemanly male and female relationship skills and techniques.” “The first two books, aimed at men, contain sections which cover such topics as ‘not forgetting her birthday’, ‘letting her miss you - but not for long’ and ‘not asking about her age’. The third gives similar advice to women, sample themes include: ‘making up, but in private’, ‘being wary of false lovers’ and ‘trying young and older lovers’. Although the book was finished around 2 AD, much of the advice he gives is applicable to any day and age. His intent is often more profound than the brilliance of the surface suggests.” “However, the word ars in the title is not to be translated coldly as ‘technique’, or as ‘art’ in the sense of civilized refinement, but as “textbook”, the literal and antique definition of the word.”