Catullus

Like the recently dead, mourners also come to reside in a transitional state between life and death, argues Ali Becker. Her careful reading of Catullus’ poem on the death of his brother connects the text with Roman funeral customs and beliefs about the afterlife. Drawing especially on the work of Andrew Feldherr (“Non inter nota sepulcra: Catullus 101 and Roman Funerary Ritual,” Classical Antiquity 19.2 [2000], pp. 209-231)
she notes how by Catullus’ vivid but carefully restrained language takes us with him into that state of grief-stricken isolation.

A Roman mosaic showing offerings at a grave. Source: http://goo.gl/TMGsWU

Multās per gentēs et multa per aequora vectus

adveniō hās miserās, frāter, ad īnferiās,

ut tē postrēmō dōnārem mūnere mortis

et mūtam nēquīquam alloquerer cinerem,

quandoquidem fortūna mihī tētē abstulit ipsum,

heu miser indignē frāter adēmpte mihi.

Nunc tamen intereā haec, prīscō quae mōre parentum

trādita sunt trīstī mūnere ad īnferiās,

accipe frāternō multum mānantia flētū,

atque in perpetuum, frāter, avē atque valē.

Fields_Cat101_Latin112_2013

Julie Fields explains how Catullus’ poem in honor of his dead brother gives insight into some of the most intimate Roman customs surrounding funerals. They are representative of pagan customs rejected by all the great monotheistic religions. Catullus 101 discussed, translated, and read aloud by Julie Fields.

Roman relief depicting a funeral. Source: http://bit.ly/16uYDy0

Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectus

advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,

ut te postremo donarem munere mortis

et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem,

quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum,

heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi.

Nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum

tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,

accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu,

atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

Brittin_Cat101_Latin112_2013

Catullus’ poem set at his brother’s grave needs to be seen in the context of Roman funeral customs, says John Brittin, but it also carries the unmistakable marks of emotional authenticity and deep feeling. The repeated word frater is like a ghostly echo that stays with the listener after the poem is finished. Catullus 101 discussed, translated, and read aloud by John Brittin.

Roman grave relief 1st century. London, British Museum. Photo: Mary Harrsch, flickr: http://bit.ly/ZBVN6K

Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectus

advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,

ut te postremo donarem munere mortis

et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem,

quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum,

heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi.

Nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum

tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,

accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu,

atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

Catullus 101, read, translated, and discussed by Elizabeth Hess

catullus101hess

MVLTAS per gentes et multa per aequora vectus
advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,
ut te postremo donarem munere mortis
et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem.
quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum.
heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi,
nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum
tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,
accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu,
atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

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Catullus 101, read, translated and discussed by Christian Ruhl

Christian Ruhl.Catullus_101

MVLTAS per gentes et multa per aequora vectus
advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,
ut te postremo donarem munere mortis
et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem.
quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum.
heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi,
nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum
tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,
accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu,
atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.

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Catullus 101, Multas per gentes, written and read by Tristan Deveney

Multas per gentes et multa per aequora uectus
aduenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias,
ut te postremo donarem munere mortis
et mutam nequiquam alloquerer cinerem.
quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum.
heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi,
nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum
tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias,
accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu,
atque in perpetuum, frater, aue atque uale.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download