Catullus is one of the liveliest and most appealing Roman poets. His emotion, charm, and apparent spontaneity resonate with readers as strongly today as in antiquity. This sophisticated literary and historical introduction brings Catullus to life for the modern reader and presents his poetry in all its variety of emotions, subjects, and styles.

• Places Catullus in a social, historical, and literary context
  
• Examines Catallus's style and subjects, and provides a literary introduction to his major themes of love, social life, and politics
  
• Discusses the reception of the poems by translators and interpreters