By his early twenties, he had published a book of love poetry, Amores, and had begun to move in fashionable literary circles in Rome. But he soon realized that a life in politics was not for him when he developed a passion for poetry as a young man. As the son of a wealthy landowner, Ovid was given an elite education as preparation for a future senatorial career. Publius Ovidius Naso, known today as Ovid, was born in Sulmo (central Italy) in 43 BCE. His poems are widely believed to be among the best examples of Latin poetry ever written.īronze statue of Ovid located in his hometown Sulmona, via Abruzzo Turismo His brief, intense verses display a mastery of language and a razor-sharp wit. One hundred and sixteen of Catullus’ poems survive today. The governor, Memmius, was the focus of Catullus’ scorn in more than one of his poems. We also know that he was on the staff of the governor of Bithynia from 57 – 56 BCE. His social circle included the writers Calvus and Cinna and the famous lawyer and orator Hortensius. He began to write poetry and became friends with some of Rome’s fashionable elite. Poems 65, 68, and 101 describe the raw grief and anger he felt at this personal loss.Ĭatullus at Lesbia’s, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1865, Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard UniversityĪt some point, Catullus moved to Rome. Catullus also had a brother, who died during his lifetime. Suetonius says that Julius Caesar was accustomed to dining with Catullus’ father when in Verona ( Julius Caesar 73). He appears to have come from a wealthy local family.

During his lifetime, Verona was a town in Transpadane Gaul (modern-day northern Italy), whose inhabitants did not yet qualify for full Roman citizenship.

The dates of his birth and death are debated, but they are widely believed to be 84 – 54 BCE.Ĭatullus mentions his home town of Verona a number of times in his poetry. Jerome (circa 342 – 420 CE) mentions Catullus in his Chronica and states that he was only 30 years old when he died. The information that we do have comes from either the poet himself or other ancient authors. Very few substantiated facts are known about Catullus’ life.

Ovid and Catullus: Two of the Greatest Roman Poets A modern portrait bust of the poet Catullus in his hometown of Sirmio in Italy, via Wikimedia Commons

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