Catullus 16
Encyclopedia
Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo is the first line, sometimes used as a title, of Carmen 16 in the collected poems of Gaius Valerius Catullus (ca. 84 BC – ca. 54 BC). The poem, written in a hendecasyllabic (11-syllable) meter
, was considered so explicit that a full English translation was not openly published until the late twentieth century. The first line has been called "one of the filthiest expressions ever written in Latin
— or in any other language, for that matter."
Carmen 16 is significant in literary history as an artistic work censored
for its obscenity, but also because the poem raises questions about the proper relation of the poet, or his life, to the work. Later Latin poets referenced the poem not for its ear-searing invective
, but as a justification for subject matter that challenged the prevailing decorum or moral orthodoxy
. Ovid
, Pliny the Younger
, Martial
, and Apuleius
all evoked the authority of Catullus in asserting that while the poet should be a respectable person, his work should not be constrained or restricted.
Catullus: this omits lines 1 and 2 from the English translation, but includes them in the Latin; lines 7-14 are omitted from both Latin and English; a later Loeb edition gives the complete text in both languages. Other editions have been published with the explicit words blanked out.
, a 1st century poet who had an affair with Juventius, Catullus' lover. Aurelius refers to Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus
, a 1st century consul, or senator, during the Julio-Claudian dynasty
. Apparently, Furius and Aurelius find Catullus's verses to be molliculi ("a little soft," perhaps "nancy boy" in modern slang). Catullus responds with intense abuse and invective.
, which appear in the first and last lines of the poem. The term pedicare is a transitive verb, meaning to "insert one's penis
into another person's anus
", and derives from an analogous Greek word, παιδικω, itself derived ultimately from the Greek word παις, παιδος (child). The term cinaede in line 2 refers to the "bottom" person in that act, i.e., the one being penetrated. The term irrumare is likewise a transitive verb, meaning to "insert one's penis into another person's mouth
for suckling", and derives from the Latin word, ruma meaning "teat". A male who suckles a penis is denoted as a fellator
or, equivalently, a pathicus (line 2). Thus, there is an elegant poetic chiasm
(a "criss-cross" rhetorical structure) in the first two lines. Each line has two obscenities; the first of the first line, pedicabo, matches the second of the second line, cinaede, whereas the second of the first line, irrumabo, matches the first of the second line, pathice.
The central pun of the poem occurs in line 4 with quod sunt molliculi, parum pudicum. The word molliculi refers to Catullus' verses and means "soft and tender little verses", as in love poetry. However, mollis can also mean "effeminate fellator", as well as "soft" in the sense of "flaccid penis". Likewise, parum pudicum refers to Catullus, and can mean "wanton" or "fellator". Thus, in explicit modern English, the pun suggests that "just because my verses are little and soft, doesn't mean that I'm the same, that I'm some hussy cock-sucker who can't get it up". This may be translated more delicately with the analogous English pun, "that I've gone all soft".
The rest of the poem plays upon that pun. On the contrary, says Catullus, although my verses are soft (molliculi ac parum pudici in line 8, reversing the play on words), they can arouse even limp old men. Should Furius and Aurelius have any remaining doubts about Catullus' virility, he offers to have sex with them, anally and orally, to prove otherwise.
Meter (poetry)
In poetry, metre is the basic rhythmic structure of a verse or lines in verse. Many traditional verse forms prescribe a specific verse metre, or a certain set of metres alternating in a particular order. The study of metres and forms of versification is known as prosody...
, was considered so explicit that a full English translation was not openly published until the late twentieth century. The first line has been called "one of the filthiest expressions ever written in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
— or in any other language, for that matter."
Carmen 16 is significant in literary history as an artistic work censored
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
for its obscenity, but also because the poem raises questions about the proper relation of the poet, or his life, to the work. Later Latin poets referenced the poem not for its ear-searing invective
Invective
Invective , from Middle English "invectif", or Old French and Late Latin "invectus", is an abusive, reproachful or venomous language used to express blame or censure; also, a rude expression or discourse intended to offend or hurt. Vituperation, or deeply-seated ill will, vitriol...
, but as a justification for subject matter that challenged the prevailing decorum or moral orthodoxy
Mos maiorum
The mos maiorum is the unwritten code from which the ancient Romans derived their social norms. It is the core concept of Roman traditionalism, distinguished from but in dynamic complement to written law. The mos maiorum The mos maiorum ("ancestral custom") is the unwritten code from which the...
. Ovid
Ovid
Publius Ovidius Naso , known as Ovid in the English-speaking world, was a Roman poet who is best known as the author of the three major collections of erotic poetry: Heroides, Amores, and Ars Amatoria...
, Pliny the Younger
Pliny the Younger
Gaius Plinius Caecilius Secundus, born Gaius Caecilius or Gaius Caecilius Cilo , better known as Pliny the Younger, was a lawyer, author, and magistrate of Ancient Rome. Pliny's uncle, Pliny the Elder, helped raise and educate him...
, Martial
Martial
Marcus Valerius Martialis , was a Latin poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan...
, and Apuleius
Apuleius
Apuleius was a Latin prose writer. He was a Berber, from Madaurus . He studied Platonist philosophy in Athens; travelled to Italy, Asia Minor and Egypt; and was an initiate in several cults or mysteries. The most famous incident in his life was when he was accused of using magic to gain the...
all evoked the authority of Catullus in asserting that while the poet should be a respectable person, his work should not be constrained or restricted.
Censored editions
Several editions of Catullus omit the more explicit parts of the poem. A noteworthy example is the 1924 LoebLoeb Classical Library
The Loeb Classical Library is a series of books, today published by Harvard University Press, which presents important works of ancient Greek and Latin Literature in a way designed to make the text accessible to the broadest possible audience, by presenting the original Greek or Latin text on each...
Catullus: this omits lines 1 and 2 from the English translation, but includes them in the Latin; lines 7-14 are omitted from both Latin and English; a later Loeb edition gives the complete text in both languages. Other editions have been published with the explicit words blanked out.
Social and literary context
Catullus addresses the poem to two men, Furius and Aurelius. Furius refers to Marcus Furius BibaculusMarcus Furius Bibaculus
Marcus Furius Bibaculus , Roman poet, flourished during the last century of the republic.According to Jerome, he was born at Cremona, and probably lived to a great age. He wrote satirical poems after the manner of Catullus, whose bitterness he rivaled, according to Quintilian , in his iambics...
, a 1st century poet who had an affair with Juventius, Catullus' lover. Aurelius refers to Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus
Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus
Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus was a Roman who lived in the 1st century. He served as a senator during the Julio-Claudian dynasty and became consul in 20. He was the great-uncle to the Empress Lollia Paulina, who was Emperor Caligula’s third wife; and her sister Lollia Saturnina...
, a 1st century consul, or senator, during the Julio-Claudian dynasty
Julio-Claudian Dynasty
The Julio-Claudian dynasty normally refers to the first five Roman Emperors: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula , Claudius, and Nero, or the family to which they belonged; they ruled the Roman Empire from its formation, in the second half of the 1st century BC, until AD 68, when the last of the line,...
. Apparently, Furius and Aurelius find Catullus's verses to be molliculi ("a little soft," perhaps "nancy boy" in modern slang). Catullus responds with intense abuse and invective.
Latin text and translation
| Line | Latin text | English translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo, | I will sodomize you and face-fuck you, |
| 2 | Aureli pathice et cinaede Furi, | pussy Aurelius and catamite Catamite A catamite was a handsome youth kept as a sexual companion in ancient Rome, usually in a pederastic relationship. The word derives from the proper noun Catamitus, the Latinized form of Ganymede, the beautiful Trojan youth abducted by Zeus to be his companion and cupbearer... Furius, |
| 3 | qui me ex versiculis meis putastis, | you who think, because my poems |
| 4 | quod sunt molliculi, parum pudicum. | are sensitive, that I have no shame. |
| 5 | Nam castum esse decet pium poetam | For it's proper for a devoted poet to be moral |
| 6 | ipsum, versiculos nihil necessest; | himself, but in no way is it necessary for his poems. |
| 7 | qui tum denique habent salem ac leporem, | In point of fact, these have wit and charm |
| 8 | si sunt molliculi ac parum pudici | if they are sensitive and a little shameless, |
| 9 | et quod pruriat incitare possunt, | and can arouse an itch, |
| 10 | non dico pueris, sed his pilosis | and I don't mean in boys, but in those hairy old men |
| 11 | qui duros nequeunt movere lumbos. | who can't get it up. |
| 12 | Vos, quod milia multa basiorum | Because you've read my countless kisses, |
| 13 | legistis, male me marem putatis? | you think less of me as a man? |
| 14 | Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo. | I will sodomize you and face-fuck you. |
Sexual terminology
Latin is an exact language for obscene acts, such as pedicabo and irrumaboIrrumatio
Irrumatio, also called irrumation, is a type of sexual intercourse performed by actively thrusting one's penis into a partner's mouth and throat. It may also be the thrusting of the penis between the legs, breasts, feet, upper thighs , or between the abdomens of two partners."Latin erotic...
, which appear in the first and last lines of the poem. The term pedicare is a transitive verb, meaning to "insert one's penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
into another person's anus
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
", and derives from an analogous Greek word, παιδικω, itself derived ultimately from the Greek word παις, παιδος (child). The term cinaede in line 2 refers to the "bottom" person in that act, i.e., the one being penetrated. The term irrumare is likewise a transitive verb, meaning to "insert one's penis into another person's mouth
Mouth
The mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food andsaliva. The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth....
for suckling", and derives from the Latin word, ruma meaning "teat". A male who suckles a penis is denoted as a fellator
Fellatio
Fellatio is an act of oral stimulation of a male's penis by a sexual partner. It involves the stimulation of the penis by the use of the mouth, tongue, or throat. The person who performs fellatio can be referred to as the giving partner, and the other person is the receiving partner...
or, equivalently, a pathicus (line 2). Thus, there is an elegant poetic chiasm
Chiasmus
In rhetoric, chiasmus is the figure of speech in which two or more clauses are related to each other through a reversal of structures in order to make a larger point; that is, the clauses display inverted parallelism...
(a "criss-cross" rhetorical structure) in the first two lines. Each line has two obscenities; the first of the first line, pedicabo, matches the second of the second line, cinaede, whereas the second of the first line, irrumabo, matches the first of the second line, pathice.
The central pun of the poem occurs in line 4 with quod sunt molliculi, parum pudicum. The word molliculi refers to Catullus' verses and means "soft and tender little verses", as in love poetry. However, mollis can also mean "effeminate fellator", as well as "soft" in the sense of "flaccid penis". Likewise, parum pudicum refers to Catullus, and can mean "wanton" or "fellator". Thus, in explicit modern English, the pun suggests that "just because my verses are little and soft, doesn't mean that I'm the same, that I'm some hussy cock-sucker who can't get it up". This may be translated more delicately with the analogous English pun, "that I've gone all soft".
The rest of the poem plays upon that pun. On the contrary, says Catullus, although my verses are soft (molliculi ac parum pudici in line 8, reversing the play on words), they can arouse even limp old men. Should Furius and Aurelius have any remaining doubts about Catullus' virility, he offers to have sex with them, anally and orally, to prove otherwise.