Quick Facts
Lyric poetry
Influence on Roman and European poetry
Personal and passionate verse
Odi et amo â I hate and I love. Roman poet whose passionate verse still burns.
Conversation Starters
Life Journey
84 BCBorn in Verona
Catullus was born in Verona to a prominent equestrian family.
70 BCEducation in northern Italy
Catullus received an excellent education.
62 BCMoved to Rome
Catullus moved to Rome to pursue a literary career.
61 BCMet Lesbia
Catullus began his passionate affair with Lesbia.
60 BCEarly love poems
Catullus composed his first love poems to Lesbia.
59 BCAffair with Lesbia turbulent
Catullus relationship with Lesbia became tumultuous.
58 BCFinal break with Lesbia
Catullus definitively ended his relationship with Lesbia.
57 BCTraveled to Bithynia
Catullus joined the staff of the governor of Bithynia.
57 BCVisited brother grave
Catullus visited his brother grave near Troy.
56 BCReturned to Italy
Catullus returned to Italy.
55 BCComposed longer works
Catullus wrote his longer poems.
54 BCDied young in Rome
Catullus died around age 30.