Catullus’ Bedspread: The Life of Rome’s Most Erotic Poet

With its quirky, mildly titillating title, Dunn’s work is sure to entice intrigued readers to her worthy subject, but anyone looking for salacious tales of Roman excess should look elsewhere. Instead, Dunn uses the poet Catullus (c. 82–53 BCE) as a lens through which to view late-republic Rome, with all its political intrigue, empire building, and, yes, sex. Extracting insights about his life from his poems, she places him expertly in his time and place, contextualizing what little is known about him today. Catullus is often overshadowed in the text by more famous and vivid figures such as Cicero, Julius Caesar, and Pompey. Also prominent is his married lover, Clodia, and his stormy relationship with her as evoked in his poems. Throughout, Dunn examines the corrupt, unsettled times that Catullus lived in and commented on while also giving insight into his literary choices and subject matter. A newcomer to Roman history may have difficulty following all the threads Dunn weaves together, but for those interested in the subject, Dunn’s exploration provides fascinating nuggets of knowledge, social history, and poetry. 8-page color insert. Agent: Georgina Capel, Georgina Capel Associates Ltd. (U.K.). (July)