Catullus 103 Translation

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Introduction

 

In poem 103, the poet wants his money back from Silo. In the four-line poem, he asks for his money, but seems to threaten the man who took it. 

In line one, Catullus kindly presents options to Silo, who has ten sestertia, which is a significant amount of money. In the second line, the poet says that if the money is given back, Silo can be violent and overbearing. But, Catullus offers another option. In the third and fourth lines, he tells Silo that if the money makes him happy, not to try to be violent, overbearing, and a pimp. 

This is an odd poem where Catullus refers to a man who wants to be a pimp. Has Catullus paid Silo to be violent and rough with him? Or, is Catullus funding Silo’s other adventures? It seems that Catullus wants Silo to find pleasure in the money or his actions. He could also choose to be a pimp, but he cannot be violent and overbearing if he acts as a pimp. 

In line three, Catullus says “I beg” within a pair of commas. The begging appears to be in reference to asking Silo not to be a pimp. But, it could be Catullus begging that Silo finds pleasure in being violent and overbearing as he uses Catullus as a paying customer. Catullus may be using Silo to procurer sexual pleasure. The ten sestertia is the payment for the act. 

The use of the first word in the poem, prithee, is unexpected. It contrasts with being violent and overbearing, as prithee is short for pray thee. It is a fancy way to beg someone when asking for a favor. It could be a flirtatious greeting from Catullus to Silo. When readers understand how Catullus often fills his short poems with several meanings, every word is worth evaluating, because every word could have multiple denotations and connotations.

Carmen 103

 
LineLatin textEnglish translation

1

AVT sodes mihi redde decem sestertia, Silo,

PRITHEE, Silo, either give me back the ten sestertia,

2

deinde esto quamuis saeuus et indomitus:

and then you may be as violent and overbearing as you like;

3

aut, si te nummi delectant, desine quaeso

or, if the money gives you pleasure, don’t try, I beg,

4

leno esse atque idem saeuus et indomitus.

to be a pimp and be at the same time violent and overbearing.

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Resources

 

VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/103.html

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