I have two things to say: 1. This was really interesting 2. I've been binging on the Emperors of Rome podcast recently, and I kinda have a crush on Dr Evans' voice
Catullus is such a stunningly anachronistic voice from Ancient Rome. He reads like a 20th-century poet, and his work is unlike any other Latin poetry I've seen.
We're doing a course on Catullus and Horace at the moment and I'm struck by how well Catullus' poetry holds up. Catullus is funny, engaging and just generally fantastic.
I am currently teaching a Latin Literature survey course and we are reading some of Cicero's Letters while learning about the Late Republic and we will be reading some of Catullus' poems right after that. Thank you for this presentation relating both writers, 2 of the most significant writers in world literature.
My second or third time watching (I now look at this every time I teach Catullus). Such interesting and responsible scholarship! You both are an inspiration.
I really enjoyed this discussion. I've only recently been introduced to the works of Catullus, and this was very helpful in adding a bit of context to his work. Thanks! :-)
The context of Appuleius surely adds weight to the Clodia-Lesbia theory; his remark would only aid his defence if it referred to a belief commonly held by - or at least known to - his audience. To unfairly equate a Republican figure with a character from poetry for no reason other than a shared vintage doesn't seem to aid his defence. Throw in Catullus 79 & I can see why so many are happy to jump to the Clodia Pulchra conclusion, Metelli or otherwise. Sorry, no doubt you've heard all this before. More videos like this would be great. Thank you.
"It doesn't actually mean that Catullus thought that Caesar was engaging in this activity..." I think in the era wherein Hadrian, wife be damned, peppered the entire empire with busts of Antinous and compelled sacred homage -- a relation and gesture that was fashioned and seen in a dignified manner by the state aparatus -- we can't be so sure as to what nerve of truth Catullus was pricking with his barby stylus. As Caesar was a known epileptic, perhaps Catullus is toying on the gyrations from the siezures as stemming from just erstwhile passions with his pet engineer...perhaps Catullus saw one too many evening parties in Ceasar's Pontifex house near the Forum to craft his lines merely in sport...
Ancient Rome was an incredibly macho society. Freeborn Roman men were allowed to sexually abuse any of their "inferiors", but they were NEVER supposed to let anyone humiliate/emasculate them by penetrating their mouth or anus. As for Hadrian, he was an old pederast who molested a teenage boy. Antinous was only 13 when Hadrian "took him under his wing". Love story, my hairy gay ass. 🤮
In Catallus 5, when the poet adjures his lover Lesbia to his confidence, with "Let us live and let us love," the third line may have a double meaning. In addition to signifying "let us count all the rumors of revered men at but a single penny," read independently, the line can mean "let us appreciate them all." In other words, the line is intentionally contranymic - meaning both one thing and its opposite. The first meaning: "don't pay attention to what they say; it's worth a penny." The hidden meaning: "let's do all the nasty things they say!" Moreover, "omnes unius aestimemus assis" can mean "let's all esteem/value/appreciate each other." Given, moreover that "assis" can also mean "plank/board" and "circular flap," there are also the phallic and orifical connotations to the kind of "appreciation" intended...in other words "lets all **** each other". or "their words are worth a single c__k/c__t." Vivāmus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus, rumoresque senum severiorum omnes unius aestimemus assis.
I have two things to say:
1. This was really interesting
2. I've been binging on the Emperors of Rome podcast recently, and I kinda have a crush on Dr Evans' voice
Haha i was just looking for a video of her because of the podcast. And yes, i love her voice and she does have a distinct nerdy attractiveness to her.
@@epstone😊😊
thank you for posting! youtube could use more videos about catullus and roman poetry.
It's our pleasure, Stephanie :) ^RO
Catullus is such a stunningly anachronistic voice from Ancient Rome. He reads like a 20th-century poet, and his work is unlike any other Latin poetry I've seen.
We're doing a course on Catullus and Horace at the moment and I'm struck by how well Catullus' poetry holds up. Catullus is funny, engaging and just generally fantastic.
I am currently teaching a Latin Literature survey course and we are reading some of Cicero's Letters while learning about the Late Republic and we will be reading some of Catullus' poems right after that. Thank you for this presentation relating both writers, 2 of the most significant writers in world literature.
You're welcome Andre :) ^AC
My second or third time watching (I now look at this every time I teach Catullus). Such interesting and responsible scholarship! You both are an inspiration.
Ive listened to this a couple of times and it was great, thank you
Glad you enjoyed it! We also have an iTunes U course on the Roman World you might like: itunes.apple.com/au/course/the-roman-world/id547169953
Thank you for this marvellous, scholarly but inviting lesson on Catullus and Cicero. More please!
Thank you for an enlightening discussion of a beautiful subject.
I really enjoyed this discussion. I've only recently been introduced to the works of Catullus, and this was very helpful in adding a bit of context to his work. Thanks! :-)
Glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoyed and learned quite a bit. Thank you.
You're welcome Shazlyagi :) ^AC
Many thanks for this clear explanation of these dark times by ghostly geniuses..
Great video, really helping me through my first year Catullus module, Thank you!
Omar Parry Kent Thanks Omar!
Your voice is familiar, are you the one that talks about thr emperors from that one podcast?
Is the Marcus Tullius in XLIX actually Cicero? If so, things couldn't have been all bad between them.
Thank you!
At my Catholic school, we were not encouraged to read too much Catullus...
The context of Appuleius surely adds weight to the Clodia-Lesbia theory; his remark would only aid his defence if it referred to a belief commonly held by - or at least known to - his audience. To unfairly equate a Republican figure with a character from poetry for no reason other than a shared vintage doesn't seem to aid his defence. Throw in Catullus 79 & I can see why so many are happy to jump to the Clodia Pulchra conclusion, Metelli or otherwise. Sorry, no doubt you've heard all this before. More videos like this would be great. Thank you.
"It doesn't actually mean that Catullus thought that Caesar was engaging in this activity..." I think in the era wherein Hadrian, wife be damned, peppered the entire empire with busts of Antinous and compelled sacred homage -- a relation and gesture that was fashioned and seen in a dignified manner by the state aparatus -- we can't be so sure as to what nerve of truth Catullus was pricking with his barby stylus. As Caesar was a known epileptic, perhaps Catullus is toying on the gyrations from the siezures as stemming from just erstwhile passions with his pet engineer...perhaps Catullus saw one too many evening parties in Ceasar's Pontifex house near the Forum to craft his lines merely in sport...
Ancient Rome was an incredibly macho society. Freeborn Roman men were allowed to sexually abuse any of their "inferiors", but they were NEVER supposed to let anyone humiliate/emasculate them by penetrating their mouth or anus.
As for Hadrian, he was an old pederast who molested a teenage boy. Antinous was only 13 when Hadrian "took him under his wing". Love story, my hairy gay ass. 🤮
I thought that the verb "practised" was spelt with "s", not "c", or is this an Americanism ?
+pertinax you're right! 'Practice' is the noun and 'practise' is the verb.
Thank you, but those hairs are going to pierce your eyes :o
In Catallus 5, when the poet adjures his lover Lesbia to his confidence, with "Let us live and let us love," the third line may have a double meaning. In addition to signifying "let us count all the rumors of revered men at but a single penny," read independently, the line can mean "let us appreciate them all." In other words, the line is intentionally contranymic - meaning both one thing and its opposite.
The first meaning: "don't pay attention to what they say; it's worth a penny."
The hidden meaning: "let's do all the nasty things they say!"
Moreover, "omnes unius aestimemus assis" can mean "let's all esteem/value/appreciate each other." Given, moreover that "assis" can also mean "plank/board" and "circular flap," there are also the phallic and orifical connotations to the kind of "appreciation" intended...in other words "lets all **** each other". or "their words are worth a single c__k/c__t."
Vivāmus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
rumoresque senum severiorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis.