Product Description

Catullus, best remembered for his tempestuous relationship with the notorious Clodia Metelli, was one of the most influential, original and enigmatic of all the Roman poets. This text presents a collection of his work.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #644347 in Books
• Published on: 1966-06-01
• Original language: Latin
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

A 'This Life' from 50 BC - a cracking read!
My brother put me onto Catullus - it shared the well-used spot in the bookcase alongside the first edition of 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'. If anyone ever thought the Romans were dull then read this. It bristles with humour, satire, deep feelings, vicious insults but above all gutsy and earthy sex. A bit like early Leonard Cohen - in that he projects such intensity into his objects of love that there becomes an element of hate of his own obsessions. He is also a master of the throw-away insult, using language you couldn't exactly use face to face unless you were a fast runner. Catullus' poems lay undiscovered after his death for 1300 years so presumably he did not have to worry about that. This translation by Whigham is just brilliant and brings the whole thing alive.