CLA231H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Cisalpine Gaul, Lesbia, Catullus
Document Summary
The romans had a native tradition of poetry and song, like every society, but not until 2nd century bce they started to produce what we would recognize as actual literature. And not until 1st century that this blossomed into vibrant literary culture. Extensive interactions with greek world in 2nd and 1st century. Contact with an older culture with a long literary tradition. At first, romans translated greek themes into latin context, but in mid (?) century, something emerged. Author of wedding hymn from earlier in class. His dateable belong to 50s of the first century bce, and according to ancient testimony he died around age 30 (he probably di d(cid:374)"t suri(cid:448)(cid:448)e i(cid:374)to (cid:1008)0s(cid:895) Life was during major time in roman history. Home town -- verona, in cisalpine gaul (northern italy) Even if he was clearly living in rome while he wrote some of his poetry. Type of person we encounter a lot in 1st century.
