Four invective poems from the Catalepton of the Appendix Vergiliana

Abstract

This thesis interprets and comments on four invective poems found in the pseudo-Vergilian collection known as the Catalepton. The first two poems considered, 12 and 6, are both directed against Noctuinus, and are to be read as aspair. Catalepton 12 is a neat but malicious parody of epithalamic song, while Catalepton 6 works more directly, taking inspiration from the crafted invective made popular by Catullus.

In Catalepton 13, however, we find outright abuse of the most graphic kind. The poet responds to an allegation that he is past his prime, and, as proof of his spirit and potency, attacks his opponent Luccius savagely. The passionate fervour of the poet’s verbal assault and the coarseness of his language are noteworthy features. Although the poem’s colloquial style has resulted in a text that is deficient, marred by copyists’ misapprehensions, Poem 13 is nevertheless important: it is an example of a Roman iambus that draws strongly upon the Greek tradition of genuine and fearless invective. The climax of the poem, a formal naming of its target Luccius, is particularly memorable.

Next to be considered is Catalepton 2, in which the poet lampoons T. Annius Cimber, a man notorious for his devotion to the Atticist rhetorical style. Finally, the origin and signification of the nuptial cry Thalassio, which is ironically inverted in two of our four poems, are discussed in an Appendix. It is hoped that these commentaries and discussions will shed new light on these interesting but neglected poems, which demonstrate well the variety of theme, style, format and language available to the Roman writer of invective.