Catullus was one of ancient Rome's greatest poets of the first century BC. He is best known for his love poems to a mysterious woman he called Lesbia. Some 116 poems or "songs" have survived, probably written between c.61 BC and 54 BC.
Brief Biography of Catullus
Very little is known about the life of Gaius Valerius Catullus except that he was born c.84 BC in the city of Verona, Italy, and settled in Rome when he was about 18-years-old. His family was believed to be wealthy as his father was a friend of Julius Caesar, the great Roman emperor. He owned villas in Rome and in the Italian countryside.
In Rome, Catullus became the leader of a group of young writers called the New Poets. His poetry imitated the style and subject matter of the earlier poets of ancient Greece. He wrote intensely about his personal feelings and relationships with other people, a kind of writing that was never been attempted before in Latin, the ancient Roman language.
Catullus was so successful that poets long after his death admired and followed his style. Composer Carl Orff produced a cantata, Catulli Carmina, from sets of texts of Catullus. He died very young — at about 30-years-old — which was soon after his return to Rome, c. 54 BC.
Lesbia, the Subject of Catullus Poems
In his poems, the subject of his love is Lesbia. Scholars believe that Lesbia may have been Clodia, the wife of a wealthy Roman politician. Catullus probably called her Lesbia, a Greek name, because of his love for the poetry of the Greek ancient poetess Sappho of Lesbos, who Catullus greatly admired.
His love poems, which he wrote over a period of several years, clearly show his intense feelings for Lesbia as their relationship grew. After his affair with her ended, Catullus went on a long journey to Asia Minor, the modern-day Turkey. He visited the grave of his brother, who had died there, and wrote a moving poem about the subject.
Catullus Poetry and Influence
Gaius Valerius Catullus is considered as the most original poet in Latin in his day. From his endearing love poems, many writers have tried to take account of his love affair with a girl named Lesbia. Whether this is true or mere speculation, his poems reflect strength amid rejection, the dominant theme being the fickle nature of his lover. They are romantic but never sentimental as he brilliantly avoided this through his grim sense of humor.
As a Latin poet, although Ovid and Propertius may have written more elegant verses, the influence of Catullus is easily regarded as the most eagerly translated for his spontaneity. Other more known Latin poets are Horace, Ovid and Virgil.
Sources:
- Goring, Rosemary, Ed. Larousse Dictionary of Writers. New York: Larousse, 1994.
- McGovern, Una, Ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers / Harrap Publishers, 2002.
- Payne, Tom. The A-Z of Great Writers. London: Carlton, 1997.
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