Catullus References

Question 1

Who is Orcus in poem 3?

Answer 1

King of the underworld.

Question 2

What is an As in poem 5?

Answer 2

Smallest Roman coin.

Question 3

What is the evil eye in poem 5?

Answer 3

‘Evil eye’ might curse Romans for wrongdoings.

Question 4

What is important about the Libyan sands in poem 7?

Answer 4

Libya often represented Africa to the Romans, Cyrene was in Libya.

Question 5

What is important about Silphium bearing Cyrene?

Answer 5

Silphium is a plant - had medicinal qualities, seasoning, used for contraception/other things.
Essential item of trade from North Africa city of Cyrene.
So critical to economy most coins bore picture of plant.
Cyrene was home of Callimachus - Catullus’ poetic influence.

Question 6

Who is Battus in poem 7?

Answer 6

Founder of Cyrene and ancestor of Callimachus.

Question 7

What is the oracle of Jove in poem 7?

Answer 7

Temple of Ammon (associated with Zeus and Jupiter) in Cyrene.

Question 8

Who is Veranius in poem 9?

Answer 8

Fried of Catullus, also mentioned fondly in other poems.

Question 9

Where is Hiberum in poem 9?

Answer 9

Spain - Veranius returned from there.

Question 10

Who is Septimius in poem 45?

Answer 10

Family name of honoured Roman family - suggesting he is a respectable Roman citizen.

Question 11

Who is Acme in poem 45?

Answer 11

Greek name suggesting she’s a freedwoman.

Question 12

What is Libya and scorched India in poem 45?

Answer 12

Libya repented Africa to Roman. Both chosen as places where Romans might meet a lion.

Question 13

Who is Love in poem 45?

Answer 13

Cupid, child of Venus.

Question 14

Who are Syrians in poem 45?

Answer 14

Either specific reference to impeding attack on Parthians, or general term for Easterners.
Syria was a rich country.

Question 15

Who are the Britains in poem 45?

Answer 15

Either reference to Caesars invasion of Britain, or term for Westerners. Britain was beloved to be of similar wealth to Eastern nations.

Question 16

Who is Licinius in poem 50?

Answer 16

Known as Calvus, a poet, wrote miniature epic poem Io.

Question 17

Who is Nemesis in poem 50?

Answer 17

Ancient goddess of vengeance, punishes wrong doing and hubris, punishments were horrible.

Question 18

Who is Hortalus in poem 65?

Answer 18

Rivel of Cicero in courts, poet whose tastes were modern compared to Catullus.

Question 19

Who are the Muses in poem 65?

Answer 19

Goddesses who inspired poetry.

Question 20

What is Lethe in poem 65?

Answer 20

Stream of Lethe is one of the rivers of the underworld usually associated with forgetfulness of former life.

Question 21

What is important about Troy in poem 65?

Answer 21

Catullus brother died near Troy (in Asia Minor - northwest Anatolia).

Question 22

What is Rhoetum in poem 65?

Answer 22

A promontory (headland) near Troy.

Question 23

What is important about Daulias in poem 65?

Answer 23

Daulia was a city in Greek region of Phocis. Tereus was king and this refers to story in which Procne wife of Tereus, daughter of King Pandion of Athens, avenges her husbands violence to her sister Philomena by killing her own son Its. Tereus pursues the sisters, gods intervene and turn Procne into a nightingale and sister into a swallow.

Question 24

Who is Itylus in poem 65?

Answer 24

Homeric version of Itys.

Question 25

Who is the son of Battus in poem 65?

Answer 25

Another name for Callimachus, his fathers name was Battus but name recalls legendary king Battus who founded native city of Cyrene and from whom he claimed descent.

Question 26

What is the white mark in poem 107?

Answer 26

Cretans dropped white stone into quiver to mark a happy day, a black to mark unhappy day.