Latin authors

Read Catullus in Latin

Short, personal, sometimes savage poems, and a good place to meet Latin verse that is not epic.

About the Latin

Catullus wrote compact poems about love, betrayal and friendship, several of them short enough to read in a sitting. The subject matter is immediate and the voice is conversational, which makes him one of the most approachable Latin poets emotionally even where the Latin is not easy.

Because the poems are gathered as one reading, you can follow a single relationship from start to finish rather than dipping in at random.

How hard is it?

Difficulty 6.9, advanced.

Every reading in the library has a difficulty score, on a scale that runs from about 1 to 11. Beginner texts sit below 3.5 and Advanced texts above 6.8.

Most demanding here: Sentence length, Vocabulary variety, Rare vocabulary, Very rare vocabulary, Unseen vocabulary, Subordination.

What you can read

The reading, each with help on every word.

Librorum Capsula currently offers the Lesbia cycle: 26 poems gathered as a single reading. That grouping is a modern editorial arrangement, not an ancient book.

Advanced2,507 words

Catullus et Lesbia

Catullus's complete poetic Lesbia cycle, following the lovers' passionate, jealous, and increasingly bitter relationship from infatuation and intimacy to betrayal, separation, and lingering desire.

Open in the reader →

Where to start

Catullus et Lesbia

It is the only Catullus in the catalog so far. Open it and the reader gives you the Latin with a definition for every word, so you can read at the pace that suits you and look up only what you need.

Start reading

Questions

A few things worth knowing.

Which works by Catullus can I read on Librorum Capsula?

Librorum Capsula currently offers the Lesbia cycle: 26 poems gathered as a single reading. That grouping is a modern editorial arrangement, not an ancient book. That is one reading.

How hard is Catullus in Latin?

On Librorum Capsula's difficulty scale, Catullus's readings here score 6.9, which puts them at Advanced level. The heaviest factors are sentence length, vocabulary variety, rare vocabulary, very rare vocabulary, unseen vocabulary, subordination.

Where should I start with Catullus?

Catullus et Lesbia. It is the only Catullus in the catalog so far.

More authors

All Latin authors, easiest to hardest → · Guides: what to read next →

Keep your place

Read Catullus with the words explained.

Open any reading for a preview. A free account keeps your place, your shelf and your vocabulary; paid access opens the full catalog when you want to go further.