Le temple de Gnide

by Charles de Secondat Montesquieu

"Le temple de Gnide" by baron de Charles de Secondat Montesquieu is a prose poem published anonymously in 1725. Presented as a translation from Greek, this seven-canto work sparked scandal when it appeared during Holy Week under royal privilege. The story follows two couples who leave the temple of Venus at Gnide, journey through the cavern of Jealousy, and arrive at different fates—one couple yielding to natural inclination, the other finding virtue triumphant over passion.