Catullus 60: Lesbia, Medea, Clodia, Scylla

摘要: Although Catullus 60 is widely dismissed as an incomplete scrap tacked on to the end of polymetra, it a complete and ingenious poem that contains erudite punning allusion Euripides’ Medea, acrostic telestic formation, Callimachean play name Scylla, all which taken together identify recipient, Lesbia, fellatrix associate her with Metelli. A better appreciation thematic cohesion final poems their employment closural techniques, indications structural design modeled Callimachus Meleager, show can be read devastating farewell Lesbia close polymetric collection. 1. ENDS WITH WHIMPER Num te leaena montibus Libystinis aut Scylla latrans infima inguinum parte tam mente dura procreauit ac taetra, ut supplicis uocem in nouissimo casu contemptam haberes, nimis fero corde? Was lioness Libyan hills or barking from deepest region crotch who bore you, such hard vile mind, so you hold contempt voice suppliant his misfortune—ah, heart too savage? among well-trodden pathS Catullan SCholarShip, more lonely patch ground.1 It often regarded puzzling offers no clear indication recipient occasion. meant for was Gellius Alfenus? For 1 The text here throughout Mynors’ OCT. On emendation heu line 5 (rejected here), see n. 41. Translations are my own, unless otherwise noted.