Catullus 106 Translation
Introduction |
Catullus lived during the time of slaves, and this poem shows it. While he does not write about slaves in the poem, he does write about people selling themselves to others. In the poem, the pretty boy in the company with an auctioneer is most likely selling himself sexually.
In 106, the poet makes a judgment call about pretty boys with auctioneers. He comments on how it appears the boy is there to sell himself. This is the state of the world that Catullus lived in where an attractive young man was with a businessman, he was clearly for sale. The big questions are whether the auctioneer was making money off of the pretty boy or was the auctioneer abusing the pretty boy.
This poem has a dark tone to it. There is no sense of care or concern for the pretty boy. This poem is not designed to bring awareness to sexual trafficking or other social issues. It is simply a commentary on what people assumed about pretty boys traveling with auctioneers. There could be some commentary about the businesses of auctioneers, especially if they are dealing with slaves.
Many of Catullus’s poems have several meanings, but this one seems rather straightforward. There is very little to read between the lines, other than whether the pretty boy is a slave or not. There could be some jealousy in the tone, especially if Catullus wishes that he was a pretty boy. Or, he might want a pretty boy of his own, as Catullus did have at least one homosexual relationship.
Historically, Rome was the first nation to officially sanction auctions. Romans would sell anything and everything, even the spoils of war. The auctioneer would drive a large nail into the ground to officially start the auction, which is ironic considering that Catullus’s poem is making a sexual reference about a pretty boy who might be “nailed” after he sold.
Carmen 106 |
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
1 | CVM puero bello praeconem qui uidet esse, | IF one sees a pretty boy in company with an auctioneer, |
2 | quid credat, nisi se uendere discupere? | what is one to think but that he wants to sell himself? |
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Resources |
VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/106.html
