Catullus 49 Translation
Introduction
In this poem, Catullus writes about his advocate, Marcus Tullius. This man is a descendent of Romulus, the first king of Rome. Romulus is the twin brother of Remus, and they are both the descendents of Aeneas who survived the Trojan War and helped to find Latium.
According to Catullus, the descendents of Romulus are outstanding orators. Tullius was also known as Cicero, and he gave a speech for Caelius when he was charged with attempted murder against Lesbia. When Cicero gave the speech, he defended Caelius by insulting Lesbia. The idea was that if he admonished her, the judge and jury would understand why Caelius wanted to poison her. A few years before Cicero gave the speech that castigated Lesbia, her brother had him banished and destroyed his home.
In this poem, Catullus praised Tullius by complementing his ability to give a speech. He took three lines to praise all of the descendents of Romulus. Then, in line four, Catullus thanked him. But, in line five and six, he insulted Tullius’s ability as a poet. He called him the worst of all poets. In line six and seven, he made a strange logical association by calling him the worst poet, as he is the best advocate.
It is difficult to tell if Catullus is truly praising Tullius, or if he is sarcastically mocking him. Throughout his poem, Catullus shows how much he loves Lesbia, and Tullius degraded her so much in his speech that the man who tried to kill her was acquitted of any guilt. Because of Catullus’s relationship with Lesbia, it might be tough to imagine that he finds Tullius to be a great orator. But, he did succeed in freeing his client, so Catullus could be praising him for his ability - as much as he might not have liked the outcome.
Carmen 49
Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
1 | DISERTISSIME Romuli nepotum, | Most skilled in speech of the descendants of Romulus, |
2 | quot sunt quotque fuere, Marce Tulli, | all who are, and all who have been, and all who shall be |
3 | quotque post aliis erunt in annis, | hereafter in other years, Marcus Tullius, |
4 | gratias tibi maximas Catullus | to thee his warmest thanks Catullus gives, |
5 | agit pessimus omnium poeta, | the worst of all poets; |
6 | tanto pessimus omnium poeta, | as much the worst poet of all |
7 | quanto tu optimus omnium patronus. | as you are the best advocate of all. |
