Catullus

Gaius Valerius Catullus (c. 84 – c. 54 BC) was a Latin poet of the late Roman Republic who wrote primarily in the neoteric style. His surviving body of work consists of approximately 116 poems, though their precise number and ordering remain matters of scholarly debate.

Catullus' poetry is characterized by its intense emotionality, ranging from passionate love and tender affection to bitter invective and poignant grief. He is best known for his poems dedicated to "Lesbia," a pseudonym believed to represent Clodia Metelli, a sophisticated and notorious Roman woman. These poems explore the complexities of their tumultuous relationship, capturing both its joy and its heartbreak.

Beyond his love poetry, Catullus also wrote poems on a variety of other subjects, including friendships, political figures, literary criticism, and daily life. He employed a wide range of meters, reflecting the influence of Greek lyric poetry, particularly that of Sappho and Callimachus. His elegant and concise language, combined with his deeply personal and relatable themes, made him a highly influential poet, and his work continues to be widely read and studied today.

Catullus' influence can be seen in subsequent generations of Latin poets, including Virgil, Horace, and Ovid. His work was rediscovered during the Renaissance, and he has since become a major figure in world literature. The surviving collection of his poems provides valuable insight into Roman society, culture, and personal relationships during the late Republic.