The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition

You can't understand the draw of these poems unless you hear them recited properly in Latin. They are like rap: they have rhythm. They don't rhyme. I can't read much Latin, so these were largely impenetrable. This translation into English attempts to preserve the rhythm of the original (and fails: it is impossible) and in the attempt it fails to be a tool in deciphering the Latin. A valiant attempt, and one that makes it possible to read just the English and get a hint as to what Catullus was getting at. But you don't "get" Catullus unless you read him in Latin, and this translation will hinder rather than help that. I would have preferred a straightforward line-by-line translation, so I could read it in Latin and then see what I just read. That's what I was trying to do with this, but it doesn't work with this translation. Take, for example, poem 67:"super alta uectus Attis celeri rate maria" which Green translates as "Over deep sees, Attis, carried on a rapid catámaran" . . . I get why he translated it that way, and it is an ingenious preservation of the rhythm of the original without totally losing the meaning. But 1: he had to butcher the pronunciation of the word catamaran to get it to fit and 2: that word doesn't exist in the original anyway, nor does the word boat or ship or skiff or anything like it. It's in their for the rhythm, and it's only justification is the word "uectus" which (I guess?) means to be drawn or carried (is that even a verb? You see why I would have preferred a straight translation.) Anyway, if you plan to read the English and just dip your toe in the Latin, this is probably perfect. If you read perfect Latin and want to see an ingenious translation that preserves the rhythm of the original, this will be a delight. If you want to read the Latin original and consult the English so that you can understand it, look elsewhere.

I've tried two prior editions of Catullus. One was a Bowdlerized, abbreviated copy used in a course given by our local private subscription library. I next tried the Loeb edition. Disappointingly, unlike the Martial volumes, this has no no notes what so ever. Finding out just who Beatrice was and her genealogy was fascinating, but quite what one wants to be faced with for each poem. This volume has a section of Notes and a Glossary running 100 pages. I am afraid that I do not read Latin and cannot rate the translation. Catullus may have some surprises for the English reader. There is a poem in praise of "Marcus Tulliius." If by chance you don't know who that is it may be difficult to find out.

I cannot say the whole book is a disappointment. Green's introduction, commentaries, the glossary, and the original Latin are all great. But I wouldn't call Green a poet. His translations, although extremely close to the original, are far from being melodic. They lack that intensity, that brightness, that exactness, that grain of salt, that music that make poems - well, poems. Because I believe a translator - in essence - is a rival to the author.Here is where I'm coming from: I first came across Catullus's poetry in Russian translations by Shervinskiy, Torpusman, Amelin, and others. I was stunned... I realized why Catullus is still read after over two thousand years. Desperate to find a worthy English translation on the web, I searched and searched. I put great hopes into this book, and.. (sigh) found another disappointment.Who knows, maybe they are still yet to come, those amazing English versions? Friends, if you find them, please let me know.

i am currently translating the extant works of Catullus, in aid of which i have 6 different translations. Peter Green's is the one that is indispensable, as well as the most pleasurable to read for its own sake.for example, on the page facing his translation is the Latin text, a sine qua non for appreciating Catullus's brilliance.there is also a glossary that explains the significance of each proper name to the poem in which it appears. and, most helpfully, there are notes to each poem that summarize not only Green's wise interpretation, but various views by other Catullus scholars.the translation itself strikes a perfect balance, to my taste, of the literal Latin, Catullus's meaning and intent, and elegance (without stuffiness or pretension).if you are going to buy only one book of Catullus's poems, or are thinking about adding to your collection of them, this is the one to get.

i am currently translating the extant works of Catullus, in aid of which i have 6 different translations. Peter Green's is the one that is indispensable, as well as the most pleasurable to read for its own sake.for example, on the page facing his translation is the Latin text, a sine qua non for appreciating Catullus's brilliance.there is also a glossary that explains the significance of each proper name to the poem in which it appears. and, most helpfully, there are notes to each poem that summarize not only Green's wise interpretation, but various views by other Catullus scholars.the translation itself strikes a perfect balance, to my taste, of the literal Latin, Catullus's meaning and intent, and elegance (without stuffiness or pretension).if you are going to buy only one book of Catullus's poems, or are thinking about adding to your collection of them, this is the one to get.

The translation was excellent and enlightening to a latin scholar from decades ago. However, the print size used was so small that those decades made it frustratingly difficult to read.

This is the best edition of Catullus' poems. In addition to the Latin text, it has extensive notes for each poems and also a list of place-names and character-names with good historical explanations for each. It is better than the Loeb bi-lingual edition because of the notes.

Great product and seller

A look at the Contents page on 'See inside this book' shows the extent of notes etc making this a comprehensive edition of Catullus. Excellent translations, notes and introduction. The facing page original texts, even if you have no Latin whatever, are essential as you can begin to appreciate the concision and wit of the most modern of all the ancient poets,and along with Horace the most 'human'. I bought the hard-cover edition from an Amazon merchant for under £10. A handsome book, it opens easily and is a joy to read. Strongly recommended.

I feel that I must leap heroically to the defence of Peter Green. I confess my Latin is far from adequate, but having done some comparison of a few of these translations against those in  The Poems of Catullus (Oxford World Classics)  and  Catullus - The Poems Translated (Penguin Classics) , I find this current work's translations both more readable in themselves and also closer in meaning to the originals as far as I understand them. To me, there is no argument - this is the edition to get. The Poems of Catullus (Oxford World Classics)Catullus - The Poems Translated (Penguin Classics)