Reading Catullus

Erotic, scatologically disgusting, sublimely beautiful: the poems of Catullus continue to fascinate students and critics alike, wielding their wicked Epicurean influence over new generations. Reading Catullus introduces the general reader to the infamous poet in all his many guises, pairing the cultural background of Catullus’ poetic production with a representative selection of translated extracts from his works—accompanied by a timeline, guide to further reading, and a full bibliography. This accessible volume, ideal for the general reader or beginning student of Roman poetry, considers the coherence and rationale of the poet’s collection as a whole, from the world of epic heroic poetry to the dirt of the ancient Roman streets.