Many Wounds in Achilles' Heart: Quintus of Smyrna, Posthomerica 1.718-721

Name:  Quintus of Smyrna Date:  4th century CE Region:   Smyrna [modern Greece] Citation: Posthomerica 1.718-721

But Achilles grieved as he gazed

Down at Penthesilea’s beautiful body lying dead in the dust

The pain in his heart was no less

than feeling the recent loss of his beloved Patroclus.

--Quintus Smyrnaeus, Posthomerica 1.718-721, Translated into Latin by Lorenz Rhodomann

  μέγα δ᾽ ἄχνυτο Πηλέος υἱὸς

κούρης εἰσορόων ἐρατὸν σθένος ἐν κουίῃσι:

τοὔνεκά οἱ κραδίην ὀλοαὶ κατέδαπτον ἀνῖαι

ὁππόσον ἀμφ᾽ ἑτάροιο πάρος Πατρόκλοιο δαμέντος.

 At Pelei filius valde contristabatur,

delectabilem puellae speciem in pulverem contuens;

ideo nociva aegritudo ipsius cor edebat,

non minus quam nuper ob Patroclum amicum interfectum.

 Quintus of Smyrna was a Greek poet who lived during the 4^th century CE. His epic poem, the Posthomerica, was a fourteen volume epic depicting the events of the later half of the Trojan War; this epic preserves many literary sources that are no longer extant.

How Many Kisses, Catullus? Catullus 7

Counting Kisses: Catullus’ Original to His Girlfriend Lesbia

Name: Catullus Date:  84 – 54 BCE Region:  Verona / Cisalpine Gaul [modern northern Italy] Citation:  Poem 7

Lesbia, you ask me how many kisses

I want—and how many are too many for me.

I want as great a number as sands in the Saharan desert

Between the Oracle of Ammon

And the sacred tomb of ol’ Battus.

As great a number of stars in the dead of night

That watch over the meetings of secret lovers.

That’s the number of kisses your Catullus wants to kiss,

Enough kisses that nosy people cannot count

Nor evil tongues can curse.

Counting Kisses: Catullus’ Original to His Girlfriend Lesbia

Quaeris, quot mihi basiationes

tuae, Lesbia, sint satis superque.

Quam magnus numerus Libyssae harenae

lasarpiciferis iacet Cyrenis

oraclum Jovis inter aestuosi

et Batti veteris sacrum sepulcrum;

aut quam sidera multa, cum tacet nox,

furtivos hominum vident amores:

tam te basia multa basiare

vesano satis et super Catullo est,

quae nec pernumerare curiosi

possint nec mala fascinare lingua.

Catullus [Gaius Valerius Catullus; 84 – 54 BCE, modern Italy] was a Roman statesman born in Verona [modern Italy] who lived during the tumultuous last days of the Roman Republic.  His poetry offers rare insight into the lives of people who lived during his time period. Like Propertius and Tibullus, Catullus used a pseudonym for the objects of his attention; many of his love poems were addressed to either “Lesbia” or “Juventius.”

Find Me Somebody to Love: A 12th century Love Poem

Cupid, Find Me Somebody to Love

Name: [Unknown]  Date:  12th – 13th century CE Region:  [Unknown, Europe] Citation: Ellis, R. Epigrammata Codicis Bodleiani Rawl. BN 109 #2 [1]

Cupid, hold your fire!

For neither my boyfriend

Nor my girlfriend

Stays true to me.

Hold your fire, hold your fire!

What’s my type? A person who loves!

May I find one soon.

But should I date someone

Who ghosts me? NOPE!

Hold your fire, hold your fire!

For I will not cherish a person

Who I’d “love that I had dated once.”

Did I just say, “a person I love”?

Nope! I’m not in love.

Hold your fire,  hold your fire,

Or find me an equal.

Please don’t do this—I’m telling you—please stop!

Or, Cupid,

find me an equal.

---

 [1] Published in Anecdota Oxoniensia Vol 1, Part 5.  (1885) p. 17.

Latin Text:

Tela, Cupido, tene, quoniam non ille nec illa

sustinet esse meus, vel mea. Tela tene,

tela tene! Quid amo? Quod amat?

Non absit. At huius

quod fugit, huius ero? Non ero. Tela tene,

tela tene! Quia non teneo quod amo tenuisse.

An dixi quod amo? Non amo! Tela tene,

tela tene, vel tange parem. Nec feceris imo,

dico tibi, sine! Vel tange, Cupido, parem.

Apollo, Unlucky in Love: Faustus Sabaeus

Name: Faustus Sabaeus Date: 16th century CE   Region:  Brixia [Brescia, modern Italy] Citation:   Illustrated Myths of Ovid

While darling Venus was weeping over her slain Adonis,

Pretty Apollo wandered over and told her,

“Oh sister, one loss pains you, but

I suffer twice as much.

Although I appear happy, I am still grieving them.

My darling loves will forever live on,

Daphne, who had too much pride

And Hyacinthus, who had too little luck."

Extinctum preciosa Venus plorabat Adonim;

quum super accessit pulcher Apollo & ait,

Una, soror, te cura angit; me bina remordet,

usque adeo, laetus sim licet, ut doleam.

cari inquam semper vivetis amores,

dura nimis Daphne; fauste Hyacinthe parum.

Faustus Sabaeus [16th century, modern Italy] was a librarian of the Vatican library who composed numerous poems on mythology-based themes.

Never Forgotten: In Praise of Sappho, Greek Anthology 7.17

Name:  Tullius Laurea Date:     1st century BCE Region:    Italy Citation:    Greek Anthology 7.17

Stranger, as you pass by this Aeolian grave,

Do not tell others that I, the Lesbian poet, have died.

For this grave is the work of mortals, prepared by human hands

And will swiftly fade to oblivion.

But if you believe that I was cherished by the Muses,

That I have blessed each one with a book of poems*

Then know this: I have escaped the shadow of death

Nor will any day dawn that does have the name of Sappho upon her lips.

 * Sappho wrote nine books of poems

Tullius Laurea, Greek Anthology 7.17, Translated into Latin by Hugo Grottius

 Αἰολικὸν παρὰ τύμβον ἰών, ξένε, μή με θανοῦσαν

τὰν Μυτιληναίαν ἔννεπ᾽ ἀοιδοπόλον

τόνδε γὰρ ἀνθρώπων ἔκαμον χέρες: ἔργα δὲ φωτῶν

ἐς ταχινὴν ἔρρει τοιάδε ληθεδόνα.

ἢν δέ με Μουσάων ἐτάσῃς χάριν, ὧν ἀφ᾽ ἑκάστης

δαίμονος ἄνθος ἐμῇ θῆκα παρ᾽ ἐννεάδι,

γνώσεαι ὡς Ἀίδεω σκότον ἔκφυγον οὐδέ τις ἔσται

τῆς λυρικῆς Σαπφοῦς νώνυμος ἠέλιος.

Aeolium praetergrediens sepulcrum, hospes, ne mortuam me

dic, Mitylenaeam cantricem:

hoc enim hominum pararunt manus, et opera virorum

in celerem ruunt talia oblivionem.

si vero in-me Musarum spectas gratiam, quarum a quaque

dea florem meis apposui novem-libris,

scies me Orci tenebras effugisse, neque erit ullus

lyricae Sapphus sine nomine sol (dies).

--

Little is known about the poet Tullius Laurea except that he was one of Cicero’s freedmen. Several of his poems are preserved in the Greek Anthology.

W/W: A Bittersweet Farewell, Sappho fr. 94

A Bittersweet Farewell

Name: Sappho Date:   d. 570 BCE Region:   Lesbos [modern Greece] Citation:    Fragment 94

“I wish I were dead,” she wept as she left me.

She said this to me and more.

Lamenting the terrible things that we’ve suffered, 

She said, “O Sapph’! I am not leaving you willingly!”

But I replied,

“Go on now, and keep in mind

How much I have cherished you.

Or if you can’t, I want you to remember

All of the good things that we had, too.

You were wearing crowns of violets and roses and crocuses by my side,

You were wearing perfume fit for a queen,

Upon a soft bed

You were satisfying

The yearnings of your heart.”

 

τεθνάκην δ’ ἀδόλως θέλω· ἄ με ψισδομένα κατελίμπανεν πόλλα καὶ τόδ’ ἔειπέ̣ μοι· ̔ ὤιμ’ ὠς δεῖνα πεπόνθαμεν, Ψάπφ’, ἦ μάν σ’ ἀέκοισ΄ ἀπυλιμπάνω.’ τὰν δ’ ἔγω τάδ’ ἀμειβόμαν· ̔ χαίροισ’ ἔρχεο κἄμεθεν μέμναισ’, οἶσθα γὰρ ὤς σε πεδήπομεν· αἰ δὲ μή, ἀλλά σ’ ἔγω θέλω ὄμναισαι... [1] . . . καὶ κάλ’ ἐπάσχομεν· πο̣λλοις γὰρ στεφάνοις ἴων καὶ βρόδων κροκ̣ίων τ’ ὔμοι . . .πὰρ ἔμοι περεθήκαο, καὶ πό̣λλαις ὐπαθύμιδας πλέκταις ἀμφ’ ἀπάλαι δέραι ἀνθέων ἔ̣βαλες πεποημμέναις, καὶ πο̣λ̣λ̣ῳ. . . μύρῳ βρενθείῳ...... ἐξαλείψαο κα̣ὶ βασι̣ληίῳ, καὶ στρώμναν ἐπὶ μολθάκαν ἀπάλαν... ἐξίης πόθο̣ν.. νίδων…

“O utinam mortuam essem!” Hoc multis cum lacrimis dicto, illa me relinquit, multa de terribilis quae passae sumus querens, “O Psappham!”  Illa mi dicit, se non sua sponte me relinquere. Sed ego contra: “Valeas, et quantum te coluerim in animo habeto. Aut, si hoc nequeas, Velim, si te omnia bona  quae inter nos fieri soleant, memineris. Coronas violarum  rosarumque  crocorumque multas  mecum gerebas Et serta floribus multa in collo tenero  te ornabant, et tibi tempora multo regibus decente nardo destillabant, et in lecto molle  tibi desiderium tuum allevabas. Translated into Latin by Kris Masters

Sappho [d. 570 BCE, modern Greece] was universally applauded by the ancient world as the “Tenth Muse.” Because she was one of the earliest Greek lyric poets, there is very little definitive information on Sappho’s life.  It is generally agreed that Sappho was a wealthy noblewoman from the island of Lesbos who had three brothers and a daughter named Kleis. She used her prominent social position to support a cohort of other women artists, and composed many poems about them, expressing her love for them, praising their beauty, and celebrating their marriages. Whereas earlier Greek poetry was epic poetry with serious themes of gods, warfare, and the state, Sappho’s lyric poetry was emotional, intimate and personal. Her poetry centered around womanhood and womanly love, providing rare insight into the time period. The modern terms “sapphic” and “lesbian” reveal the longevity of her impact upon modern culture. Unfortunately, although her poetry was universally revered by the Greeks and Romans alike, Sappho’s works only exist as fragments, adding mysterious allure to her larger-than-life status but unfortunately hindering our understanding of her life and thoughts.

---

 [1] This poem was found in a fragmentary state, with numerous words unintelligible or missing.

I'm Getting To Old For This: Horace, Carm. 4.1

I’m Getting Too Old For This

Name:  Horace Date:  65 – 8 BCE Region: Venosa / Rome [modern Italy] Citation:  Songs 4.1.29-40

Neither a girlfriend

Or a boyfriend

Can tempt me now,

Nor does the hope of a mutual affection thrill me.

I’m no longer in the mood for partying

I’m too old to put springtime flowers on this old forehead of mine.

But why, Ligurinus, tell me why

I’m crying right now?

Why is my tongue tied suddenly?

At night, 

in my dreams, I hold you next to me.

I follow you through the Campus Martius,

I follow you through the waters,

As you fly from me, you cruel bird.

I’m Getting Too Old For This

Me nec femina nec puer

iam nec spes animi credula mutui               

nec certare iuvat mero

nec vincire novis tempora floribus.

Sed cur heu, Ligurine, cur

manat rara meas lacrima per genas?

Cur facunda parum decoro               

inter verba cadit lingua silentio?

Nocturnis ego somniis

iam captum teneo, iam volucrem sequor

te per gramina Martii

campi, te per aquas, dure, volubilis.         

 

Horace [Quintus Horatius Flaccus; 65 – 8 BCE, modern Italy] is known for his famous line, “Carpe Diem.” He was an Italian-born poet who lived during the rise and reign of Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Although his life began with civil unrest and uncertainty (his father was enslaved and later freed during the civil wars of the 1st century BCE), Horace became friends with the influential entrepreneur Maecenas and earned the position in Augustus’ literary circle.  His poetry provides valuable insight into social changes that occurred during the transition from republic to empire.  

In Praise of Sappho: Demetrius, De Elocutione III.166-167

Sappho sings about beauty while using beautiful words. She is sweet, and as she sings about love and springtime and halcyon birds, she weaves together just about everything beautiful in her songs that she has composed by her own hand.

But in other poems, when she criticizes a boorish groom or his best man at the wedding, she uses more base words than poetic ones. These sort of poems should be recited, not sung; they aren’t really adequate for either a chorus or a lyre, unless the chorus uses a conversational style.

Διὸ καὶ ἡ Σαπφὼ περὶ μὲν κάλλους ᾄδουσα καλλιεπής ἐστι καὶ ἡδεῖα, καὶ περὶ ἐρώτων δὲ καὶ ἔαρος καὶ περὶ ἁλκυόνος, καὶ ἅπαν καλὸν ὄνομα ἐνύφανται αὐτῆς τῇ ποιήσει, τὰ δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ εἰργάσατο.

Ἄλλως δὲ σκώπτει τὸν ἄγροικον νυμφίον, καὶ τὸν θυρωρὸν τὸν ἐν τοῖς γάμοις, εὐτελέστατα καὶ ἐν πεζοῖς ὀνόμασι μᾶλλον ἢ ἐν ποιητικοῖς, ὥστε αὐτῆς μᾶλλόν ἐστι τὰ ποιήματα ταῦτα διαλέγεσθαι ἢ ᾄδειν, οὐδ̓ ἂν ἁρμόσαι πρὸς τὸν χορὸν ἢ πρὸς τὴν λύραν, εἰ μή τις εἴη χορὸς διαλεκτικός.

Quare et Sappho de pulchritudine canens, utitur verbis pulchris, et tota suavis est, & de cupidinibus utique, & de aere, & de halcyone, & omnia [fere] verba pulchra ipsius poesi inexta sunt: nonnulla autem & ipsa facricata est.

Aliter autem irridet agrestem sponsum, & ianitorem qui versatur in nuptiis, valde humiliter & pedestribus potius verbis quam poeticis. Quapropter haec ipsius poemata recitationi magis quam cantui apta sunt: neque accommodari possunt ad chorum, vel ad lyram, nisi sit chorus qui rem aliquam simpliciter enarrat.

 

--Demetrius of Phaleron, Libro de Elocutione III.166-167; Translated into Latin by Robert Faulis (1743)

 Demetrius of Phaleron was an Athenian philosopher, statesman, and author who lived during the 3^rd century BCE. His magnum opus, On Style [de Elocutione], is a valuable resource for preserving poetic works of authors no longer extant.

 

Horace's New Crush, Epodes 11.1-10, 22-27

Name:  Horace Date:  65 – 8 BCE Region: Venosa / Rome [modern Italy] Citation:  Songs 1.1-10,22-27

 In this poem, the narrator describes how their crush on Inachia faded, and now they are attracted to Lyciscus. 

Pettius, I just can’t keep writing poetry

The way I used to, now that I’m lovestruck.

This love impels me to burn (more feverously than others do!)

For a sweet boyfriend or girlfriend.

It’s been three Decembers

Since I stopped burning for Inachia…

Oh no! It’s shameful to admit this,

But I was the talk of the town,

I was no fun at parties,

Always quiet and withdrawn.

…

Now a love for Lyciscus has overtaken me,

A guy who boasts he can surpass a woman in softness.

And now nothing my friends tell me—advice or criticism—

Can help me, only a new crush

For a beautiful girlfriend

Or a long-haired boyfriend.

Petti, nihil me sicut antea iuvat

      scribere versiculos amore percussum gravi,

amore, qui me praeter omnis expetit

      mollibus in pueris aut in puellis urere.

hic tertius December, ex quo destiti

      Inachia furere...

heu me, per Urbem (nam pudet tanti mali)

      fabula quanta fui, conviviorum et paenitet,

in quis amantem languor et silentium

      arguit et latere petitus imo spiritus…

nunc gloriantis quamlibet mulierculam

      vincere mollitia amor Lycisci me tenet;

unde expedire non amicorum queant

      libera consilia nec contumeliae graves,

sed alius ardor aut puellae candidae

      aut teretis pueri longam renodantis comam.

 

  

Horace [Quintus Horatius Flaccus; 65 – 8 BCE, modern Italy] is known for his famous line, “Carpe Diem.” He was an Italian-born poet who lived during the rise and reign of Rome’s first emperor, Augustus. Although his life began with civil unrest and uncertainty (his father was enslaved and later freed during the civil wars of the 1st century BCE), Horace became friends with the influential entrepreneur Maecenas and earned the position in Augustus’ literary circle.  His poetry provides valuable insight into social changes that occurred during the transition from republic to empire.