The story of Cephalus and Aurora is told in Book 7 of Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’. This Roman text had inspired artists for centuries because of its colourful portrayal of Greek myths. Cephalus, an Athenian hero, fell in love with and married Procris. Shortly afterwards while hunting deer he caught the attention of the Goddess of Dawn, Aurora. She had a roving eye and was frequently attracted to young mortal men. Descending from her mountain home, Aurora carried Cephalus off with her. However, on finding that he remained faithful to Procris, she allowed him to return home, privately swearing vengeance. She caused a spirit of jealousy to infect their marriage and this eventually resulted in the accidental death of Procris. She suffered a wound inflicted by Cephalus with his hunting spear