Catullus and his World: A Reappraisal

by Timothy P. Wiseman

This book is an attempt to read the poems of Gaius Valerius Catullus in his own context; to look at the poet and his works against the cultural realities of the first century BC as recent advances in historical research allow us to understand them. Catullus' own social background, the circumstances of the literary life of his time, the true extent of his works and the variety of audiences he addressed - these and other questions are explored by Professor Wiseman with new and startling results. Contemporary high society and politics are illustrated through Clodia and Caelius Rufus, considered not as mere adjuncts to Catullus' story but as significant historical personalities in their own right. A final chapter on nineteenth- and twentieth-century interpretations of Catullus' world shows how anachronistic preconceptions have prevented a proper understanding of it, and made this radical reappraisal necessary. Anyone with a serious interest in Latin literature or Roman history will want to read this book. Students in the upper levels of school or at university will find it essential background reading to their work on Catullus and Cicero's Pro Caelio.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Classics, Biography, Poetry, Ancient History

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 1985

Reviews

[Ulrike · Rating 4 out of 5]

really good .. the mime play author stuff i will have to investigate further. i feel like in the past month my enthusiasm for reception studies has gone kind of down the drain due in part to an annoying ass lecture series im about to stop going to and in part bc peoples receptions are stupid as hell - this proven so so deeply by the quotes of poems and things from the last chapter of this, which pissed me off so much. that eton schoolmaster was so evil to me imagine writing about catullus like that are you stupid. sorry im in such a foul mood right presumably for period reasons so all my anger is directing itself at this. no glory to english people in the 1800s. shut up. good book about catullus though.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

First two chapters are brilliant sketches of Clodia and Caelius Rufus, respectively. A treat for any student of late republican Rome. The last four chapters are only for those familiar with Catullus and his poetry. Even so, worth skimming for Wiseman’s elegant prose.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written work, which places the poems of Catullus in cultural context. Wiseman uses Catullus’ social background as a means to illustrate the circumstances and content of his poems. He examines Catullus’ relationship with Lesbia (Clodia) in some detail, and the trial of Caelius Rufus, to show how this illuminates first century BC politics. Overall, the book is on this era of the Republic and Wiseman shows how the poetry was a product of that era. Wiseman also starkly contrasts the world Catullus grew up in, which was an Italian colony of soldiers’ decendants outside of Rome, with the licentiousness and dissipated life of the nobility (Claudii) found in Rome.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of Catullus' poetry and the characters who crop up in his work and in related history.

[Alina Vetur]

Catullus and His World: A Reappraisal

[rachel selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

GAIUS VALERIUS CATULLUS!!!