The Great Romantic: Who Was Catullus?

Catullus was a great Roman poet, and he is best remembered for his romantic poems and short life.

Jun 24, 2025

Gaius Valerius Catullus, usually called Catullus, was a poet from the late Roman Republic. He’s best known for his love poetry, but the emotional intensity, wit, and vivid imagery in his writing go beyond romantic themes. His poems also cover subjects like friendship, social satire, and insults. His unique and creative style influenced later Latin poets. Many of Catullus’s works still exist today and continue to be studied.

Catullus Was from Northern Italy

Woodcut Verona from Romeo and Juliet from the 1847 edition of The Illustrated Shakespeare

Long before Shakespeare made Verona famous as a city of doomed love, Catullus, known for his romantic and often tragic writing, was born there. Verona, located in northern Italy, had a friendly relationship with Ancient Rome. Because it was on the Adige River, it was seen as a valuable ally. In 89 BCE, the city officially became a Roman colony, and a few years later, in 84 BCE, Catullus was born.

Catullus came from a wealthy family, possibly part of the local elite. As a young man of status, he likely received a strong education and read many styles of writing, which helped shape his poetry. Verona was a busy urban area, so he would have experienced many social and cultural changes that later appeared in his work.

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Cicero Was One of His Friends

At some point during his studies or career, Catullus met Cicero, the famous Roman statesman, speaker, and thinker—and they became close friends. We don’t know exactly how they met, but Catullus probably went to Rome to follow literary opportunities. There, he and Cicero moved in the same social circles, since they were both well-connected and had similar interests.

Catullus wrote a poem directly to Cicero, praising his speaking talent and his ability to move people with words. He also mentioned Cicero in other poems, celebrating his time as consul and referring to his role in the political conflicts of the era.

Callimachus Inspired Him

While Catullus got many ideas from real life, he was also inspired by other poets. One of them was Callimachus, a Greek poet from the third century BCE. Callimachus was born in Cyrene (in North Africa) and later worked in Alexandria, where he became linked with the famous Library of Alexandria.

Callimachus is best known for lyric poetry and for shaping the short, sharp epigram. Catullus admired his style and often used it himself. He liked Callimachus’s polished, concise writing and showed a similar skill in short, clever poems.

The Poet Wrote Mostly of Love

Catullus and Lesbia, who in his arms seeking solace for her sparrow’s death, c. 1809, via Nivaagaard Museum.

Even though he wrote about public life and was influenced by other poets, Catullus is remembered most for his love poems. These works explore romance, passion, and relationships—often in dramatic ways. His most famous poems are about Lesbia, a woman believed to be a fictional version of someone from a powerful Roman family.

In some poems, Catullus talks about wanting to love Lesbia freely. In others, he writes about the pain and anger she causes him. Some poems attack his romantic rivals or show deep feelings of betrayal. His writings to Lesbia show both deep love and intense heartbreak, capturing the emotional ups and downs of human love.

Catullus Died Young

Though Catullus is considered one of Rome’s greatest lyric poets, he had a short life. Scholars think he died in his thirties, around 54 BCE. The exact cause of death is unknown. One idea is that he died from natural causes. Since there are no surviving records about his death, this seems likely.

Some people think he might have died by suicide, pointing to the emotional and sometimes painful tone of his poetry. Others suggest he may have been killed due to political or personal issues. Whatever the cause, his influence remains strong—his poems still move readers, and his legacy continues to live on.

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