Catullus Biography

Catullus was a Roman author of the Late Republic. He was born around 84 BCE. (Dates range from 87-82), and though his death date is unknown, we do know that he stopped writing poetry around 54 BCE., so historians presume that this is the date of his death. Catullus was born into an elite Roman family, which like many others of its kind played the power game in Rome.

Catullus was born in Verona. This fact is important to us because it gives us further background of the upbringing Of Catullus. Though he was brought up in an elite family, he was somewhat of a country bumpkin, but would likely have a good command of Greek as a part of a strong education.

Poetry was a common upper-class practice in Ancient Rome, playing a popular role in social events. However, Catullus's decision to dedicate his http://www.nndb.com/people/937/000094655/catullus-5-sized.jpg

entire life to Poetry was certainly a deviation from cultural norms and expectations, a move almost rebellious against Patrician culture.

One will note that his poetry frequently mocks the lifestyle of politics and war. He was part of a group called the poetae novi, or "New Poets," who took from Hellenistic Greek traditions. Most notably, this style does not pursue epic poetry so much as poetry in everyday life. Catullus strove to make his poems inherently beautiful in language and rhythm. Most of Catullus's meter was elegiac, though some poems demonstrate hendecasyllabic. Catullus is responsible for the introduction of many new words to Latin literature, as was the tradition of the poetae novi, most notably the slang word "basium" for kiss.

Catullus is most known for his love poems to "Lesbia," his pen name for a woman by the name of Clodia when he moved to Rome in 61 BCE. Clodia was involved with many powerful and influential men. Catullus's idea of love was a relationship which combined intellecutual exchange and sensual pleasure.