Catullus 27 Translation
Introduction |
In this poem, Catullus addresses a boy who serves in the area of Falernian, which is an Italian wine country. Catullus tells the boy to fill his cup as the law of Postumia demands. The reference to Postumia could be to an old family with that name, or to one of the Roman Vestal Virgins.
Since Catullus called Postumia the “mistress of the revels,” he might not be referring to a Vestal Virgin, as a mistress is the name of a woman who has had sexual relations. However, a mistress could also be a woman who has authority, and the Vestal Virgins did influence Roman culture. They even earned a pardon for Julius Caesar. They were required to serve in their positions for 30 years and had to take a vow of chastity during that time. Knowing that Catullus was a master with his word choice, he could be referring to both the family and the powerful Vestal Virgins.
In line 3, Catullus talked about how the law of Postumia ordains that the boy fills cups with win. Then, in line 4, Catullus talks about how Postumia needs to be tipsier than the grape. In line 5, Catullus shoos away water. He calls it the destruction of win and should only be with people who have their scruples. He then talks about the pure Thyonian god. Thyone is the Roman name for Semele. She is the only mortal who gave birth to a god, Dionysus, who is the god of wine in Greece. His Roman name is Bacchus.
This poem celebrates wine and the area where it was grown. Wine was an important beverage for the ancients, as it was one of the safest beverages to drink. Water was moved through aqueducts, and the Romans did have public latrines and sewers. So, it was safer for people to drink water in Rome than it was in Greece.
Carmen 27 |
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MINISTER uetuli puer Falerni | Come, boy, you who serve out the old Falernian, |
| 2 | inger mi calices amariores, | fill up stronger cups for me, |
| 3 | ut lex Postumiae iubet magistrae | as the law of Postumia, mistress of the revels, ordains, |
| 4 | ebriosa acina ebriosioris. | Postumia more tipsy than the tipsy grape. |
| 5 | at uos quo lubet hinc abite, lymphae | But water, begone, away with you, water, |
| 6 | uini pernicies, et ad seueros | destruction of wine, and take up abode |
| 7 | migrate. hic merus est Thyonianus. | with scrupulous folk. This is the pure Thyonian god. |
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Resources |
VRoma Project: http://www.vroma.org/~hwalker/VRomaCatullus/027.html
