Respected v Rejected Episode 4 - Catullus & Tibullus

This episode of "Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers" discusses the writings and influence of Gaius Valerius Catalysts and Tibblists. Catalysts was known for his love poems, especially those about Lesbia, and his work was introspective and not rushed. He also wrote about pain and resentment caused by affairs. Catalysts had a mixed reputation as he wrote wonderfully but caused drama. He wrote disapproving poems about the government and politics, particularly hating on Caesar. However, they later smoothed things out. Tybalus, compared to Catalysts, wrote whimsically and flippantly about love, resulting in him being overshadowed by Catalysts. Both writers inspired Romantic writing and changed the field. They were respected by most but had enemies and mutual grudges. They greatly influenced writing overall. What is up, everybody, and welcome back to Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers, where I give little lessons on Latin and the cultural impacts of this fascinating language. On today's episode of Respected vs. Rejected Latin Authors, Catalysts and Tibblists, I will be discussing the writings of both authors, the higher circles of Roman society and how that influenced Catalysts, and how Catalysts and Tibblists are similar. I will also be discussing the conflicting opinions on their works. Without further ado, let's get to learning. Gaius Valerius Catalysts moved from his wealthy home in the mountains to the big city of Rome early on. He joined a group called the New Poets and immediately began to write poems that encapsulated the public. Catalysts lived in the glitzy, glamorous, and elite part of Roman society. This made his specialty love poems. He wrote passionately and often briefly. However, he did not write frivolously. People associate his work with being introspective and not rushed or erotic. Even his peer Ovid referred to him as learned. Catalysts, as we have said, is well known for his love poems. This is especially true in referring to his poems about Lesbia. He wrote about 30 poems about this woman that he allegedly had an affair with. One of these such poems is Give Me a Thousand Kisses, which reads, My Lesbia, let us love and live. And to the winds, my Lesbia, give each bold restraint, Each boating fear of age, and all her solace severe. Then come, with whom alone I live, a thousand kisses take, And give another thousand to the store, at hundreds, then a thousand more. He also details how much pain, anger, sorrow, and resentment the affair caused him. This theme was common in several of his other poems where he talks about his other lovers and sometimes details hatred for certain adversaries in his pursuits of love. The people had a rather mixed opinion of Catalysts, as he wrote wonderfully, but he certainly caused a lot of drama. Catalysts traveled to Bithynia where he had accepted a job. While he was there, he wrote two of his most famous works, which was a tribute to his dead brother, and Attis, a novel detailing the rather unfortunate adventures of a young Greek boy caught up in a cult. Catalysts journeyed back to Rome, got caught up in some scandals, and resumed writing. However, now his writings were more focused on attacks. He would detail his anger towards people who had cheated on him. He wrote disapproving poems about the government and politics. More specifically, he just hated on Caesar. However, Catalysts and Caesar smoothed things out later, and they died not quite enemies, though not exactly friends either. Catalysts died young, but greatly influenced so many other Roman writers to come. Now, on to the man we've been waiting for, Tybalus. Obvious Tybalus is often compared to Catalysts for his poems of love, lust, and drama. Tybalus was also rather absorbed in himself, and several of his poems were just about him. While they are very similar in lifestyles and writing, Catalysts is considered the better author, because Tybalists wrote whimsically and flippantly about love, while Catalysts did so with passion and purpose. This resulted in Tybalists coming second to Catalysts in most everything he wrote. Tybalists wrote some books called Elegies. Two of which are attributed to him, but he didn't even write. While Tybalists was a good Romantic writer, he will always be caught in Catalysts' shadow. Both of these writers really inspired Romantic writing, and changed that field for years to come. Writers in general also respected Catalysts for his flexible verse. Overall, these writers were respected by most, but rejected by certain groups of people. Neither of these authors were great in standing with the government, and they both certainly had a lot of enemies, or at least held mutual grudges with several people. However, they are admirable poets nonetheless, who greatly influenced writing for all. Thanks for joining me on Little Latin Lessons for Language Lovers, and I hope to see you on the next episode of Respected vs. Rejected Latin Authors, where we dive into one of the most controversial poets of the Roman Empire. See you then!