The last line also reveals more of Catullus' real intent. Usually, the frequent use of exaggeration can be discerned as sarcasm, which might be the case here. But as we keep reading, we keep seeing many more superlatives – maximas, pessimus, optimus – even the omnium could be considered as exaggerated. He begins by praising him 'as the most learned' of all the Romans ever. It is a constant debate whether this poem is Catullus praising Cicero, who indeed was one of the best speakers of the time, or actually mocking him. JSTOR ( March 2022) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message).Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification. The betrayal of this bond or fides was a capital offense. One of the types of patronage was the slave-owner over his freedmen, where the slave-owner retained some power over them and inherited their property if they died heirless. The people for whom the patron spoke for were the cliens and they, in return, would respect the patronus and offer little favors like political campaigning and household chores. A patronus was someone who gave assistance and protection to another person, including non-Romans.The descendants of Romulus are the Romans, since it is believed that Remus and Romulus founded Rome.Or as many as there will be later in years, O most learned of the descendants of Romulus,Īs many there are and as many as there were, Marcus Tullius, The following Latin text is taken from D. Latin text and translation Catullus 49 in Latin & English- Disertissime Romuli nepotum This is also the only time Cicero is ever mentioned in any of Catullus' poems. Like the majority of Catullus' poems, the meter of this poem is hendecasyllabic.

54 BC) sent to Marcus Tullius Cicero as a superficially laudatory poem. Catullus 49 is a poem by the Roman poet Gaius Valerius Catullus ( c.

Catullus poem 49 meter and scansion