Etiology (alternately aetiology, aitiology) is the study of Greek words aitia = cause and logos = word/speech) is used in philosophy, physics and biology in reference to the causes of various phenomena. It is generally the study of why things occur, or even the reasons behind the way that things act.
In medicine in particular, the term means the occurrences, reasons, and variables of diseases or pathologies.
An aetiological myth is a myth intended to explain a name. E.g., the name Delphoi and its associated deity, Apollon Delphinios are explained in the Homeric Hymn which tells how Apollo carried Cretans over the sea in the shape of a dolphin to make them his priests. While there is an actual etymological connection between Delphoi and delphis (delphus means "womb"), many aetiological myths are based on popular etymology (see e.g. Amazons).
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The Daphne episode concludes with aetiologies for the use of laurel in Apollo's cult and as an honor for Roman generals and for Augustus.
Viewed aetiologically the Python and Daphne episodes are an exploration of honor from various anglesóGreek, Roman, athletic, religious, military, politicalóculminating in an elegant complement to Augustus, whose pride in the laurels outside his house is well known.
Ovidian critics usually assume that the aetia of the Metamorphoses are predominately natural or "scientific," in contrast to the religious or cultural aetia of the Fasti.
In her preface, Myers states: "The aetiological focus of the Metamorphoses is an essential feature of Ovid's narrative structure and discourse; more than simply a conceit, it shapes the way Ovid treats much of his mythical material and constitutes an important aspect of his generic and thematic aims in the poem" (vii-viii).
Chapter 2, "Callimachean Aetia and Framed Aetiological Narratives in the Metamorphoses," deals with another set of tales that have to do with aetia of a geographical, religious or cultural nature and are closer in subject and manner to poetry traditionally associated with the Alexandrian and neoteric tradition.
Here she calls attention to the Callimachean character of this aetiological frame narrative, both in its theme (the explanation of a statue of Picus on Circe's island) and its narratological structure.
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