The Poetry of Gaius Valerius Catullus/45

=Text and Translation=

=Connotations of The Text=

Line 1

 * Acme - prime; flower; zenith

This implies that Acme is the best a man can get. The usage of the Greek word 'Akmen' which means top or best of serves only as flattery. Acme is probably most famous in the cartoon, Wylie Coyote, as Acme is the provider of his useless weapons. The name is directly from the Greek, and used, in this case for a comic effect.

Line 22

 * Syrias Britanniasque - Syrians and Britains

This could refer to the great campaigns of Crassus and Caesar in Syria and Britain respectively. Thousands of young men would sign up for the army for the chance of riches, in the form of plunder and even slaves that could be kept or sold. The invasions were of Britain in 55 and 54 BC and the campaigns of Crassus were in Syria in 80 BC. The context of the poem is indicating that Septimius is giving up a great opportunity to be with Acme.

=Vocabulary=

Line 1

 * Acmen (Greek Acc. of Acme) - prime; fower; zenith

Line 2

 * gremium, -ii, n. - lap; bosom

Line 3

 * ni=nīsi - unless; if not


 * perdīte (adv.) - desperately; excessively


 * porrō (adv.) - further; onwards

Line 4

 * assidue (adv.) - continually; constantly

Line 6

 * tostus (p.p.p. of torreo) - parch; roast; bake; scorch; burn

Line 7

 * caesius, -a, -um - green-eyed


 * obvius, -a, -um - to meet with; come into contact with

Line 9

 * sternuo, -ere, ui - to sneeze


 * approbatio, -onis, f. - approval

Line 10

 * leviter - lightly; slightly; a little


 * reflectō, -xi, -xum - to bend; turn back

Line 11

 * ebrius, -a, -um - intoxicated; drunk


 * ocellus, -i, m. (dim.) - a little eye

Line 12

 * purpureus, -a, -um, - purple; rosy


 * os, oris, n. - mouth


 * suavior, -ari, -atus sum - to kiss

Line 13

 * usque - continuously; constantly

Line 14

 * servio, -ire, -ii, -itum - to be a servant/slave to

Line 15

 * acer, acris, acre - fierce; keen

Line 16

 * mollīs, -is, -e - soft; tender; mild


 * medulla, -ae, f. - marrow (of bones)

Line 19

 * auspicium, -i, n. - omen; sign; divination of birds; appearance of an animal's entrails


 * proficiscor - set out

Line 20

 * mutuus, -a, -um reciprocal; mutual

Line 21

 * misellus (dim. of miser) - love-sick little...

Line 24

 * libido, libidinis, f. - pleasure; desire; passion; longing

Line 26

 * auspicātus, -a, -um - favourable