Catullus

Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84 BC - c. 54 BC) was a renowned Latin poet of the late Roman Republic. He is a prominent figure in the neoteric style of poetry, focusing on personal experiences rather than classical heroes. Catullus’s poems are characterised by their personal, emotional, and humorous style, often employing literary techniques such as hyperbole, anaphora, alliteration, and the use of diminutives.

Born into a prominent equestrian family in Verona, Catullus enjoyed social prominence that allowed his family to entertain Julius Caesar during his proconsulship in the Gallic provinces. He spent much of his young adult years in Rome, where he formed friendships with notable poets and figures like Licinius Calvus, Helvius Cinna, and Cornelius Nepos.

Catullus’s poetry was influenced by Hellenistic Age poets like Callimachus and those of the Alexandrian school, who focused on personal themes and turned away from classical epic poetry. He also drew inspiration from the poetry of Sappho and from Greek and Roman myths, incorporating elements of these into his work.

One of Catullus’s notable themes in his works is his passionate love for the woman he referred to as “Lesbia,” widely believed to be the Roman aristocrat Clodia Metelli. His poems depict various stages of their relationship, from initial euphoria to uncertainty and separation. Despite her numerous other lovers, Catullus’s passion for Lesbia remained unwavering, as evidenced by his poems.

Catullus’s poems have been preserved in an anthology of over a hundred “carmina”, in various forms, including short poems, longer poems, and epigrams. His works encompass themes like friendship, eroticism, invective against traitors, and condolence for the loss of loved ones, offering insight into the lifestyle of Catullus and his inner circle.

Catullus strongly influenced Latin literature, and his work continues to influence poetry and art to this day, not least because of his sexual ambivalence.

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