---
product_id: 8296550
title: "The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition"
brand: "gaius valerius catulluspeter green"
price: "R981"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 10
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/8296550-the-poems-of-catullus-a-bilingual-edition
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition

**Brand:** gaius valerius catulluspeter green
**Price:** R981
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition by gaius valerius catulluspeter green
- **How much does it cost?** R981 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/8296550-the-poems-of-catullus-a-bilingual-edition)

## Best For

- gaius valerius catulluspeter green enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted gaius valerius catulluspeter green brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition

## Images

![The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41YGUI8jxVL.jpg)
![The Poems of Catullus: A Bilingual Edition - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+r51fRnhL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    They are like rap: they have rhythm
  

*by J***O on Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2016*

You can't understand the draw of these poems unless you hear them recited properly in Latin.  They are like rap: they have rhythm.  They don't rhyme.  I can't read much Latin, so these were largely impenetrable.  This translation into English attempts to preserve the rhythm of the original (and fails: it is impossible) and in the attempt it fails to be a tool in deciphering the Latin.  A valiant attempt, and one that makes it possible to read just the English and get a hint as to what Catullus was getting at.  But you don't "get" Catullus unless you read him in Latin, and this translation will hinder rather than help that.  I would have preferred a straightforward line-by-line translation, so I could read it in Latin and then see what I just read. That's what I was trying to do with this, but it doesn't work with this translation.  Take, for example, poem 67:"super alta uectus Attis celeri rate maria" which Green translates as "Over deep sees, Attis, carried on a rapid catámaran" . . . I get why he translated it that way, and it is an ingenious preservation of the rhythm of the original without totally losing the meaning.  But 1: he had to butcher the pronunciation of the word catamaran to get it to fit and 2: that word doesn't exist in the original anyway, nor does the word boat or ship or skiff or anything like it.  It's in their for the rhythm, and it's only justification is the word "uectus" which (I guess?) means to be drawn or carried (is that even a verb?  You see why I would have preferred a straight translation.)  Anyway, if you plan to read the English and just dip your toe in the Latin, this is probably perfect.  If you read perfect Latin and want to see an ingenious translation that preserves the rhythm of the original, this will be a delight.  If you want to read the Latin original and consult the English so that you can understand it, look elsewhere.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    The Best Edition That I Have Found
  

*by S***S on Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2020*

I've tried two prior editions of Catullus. One was a Bowdlerized, abbreviated copy used in a course given by our local private subscription library. I next tried the Loeb edition. Disappointingly, unlike the Martial volumes, this has no no notes what so ever. Finding out just who Beatrice was and her genealogy was fascinating, but quite what one wants to be faced with for each poem.  This volume has a section of Notes and a Glossary running 100 pages. I am afraid that I do not read Latin and cannot rate the translation. Catullus may have some surprises for the English reader. There is a poem in praise of "Marcus Tulliius."  If by chance you don't know who that is it may be difficult to find out.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Not quite poems yet
  

*by W***N on Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2017*

I cannot say the whole book is a disappointment. Green's introduction, commentaries, the glossary, and the original Latin are all great. But I wouldn't call Green a poet. His translations, although extremely close to the original, are far from being melodic. They lack that intensity, that brightness, that exactness, that grain of salt, that music that make poems - well, poems. Because I believe a translator - in essence - is a rival to the author.Here is where I'm coming from: I first came across Catullus's poetry in Russian translations by Shervinskiy, Torpusman, Amelin, and others. I was stunned... I realized why Catullus is still read after over two thousand years. Desperate to find a worthy English translation on the web, I searched and searched. I put great hopes into this book, and.. (sigh) found another disappointment.Who knows, maybe they are still yet to come, those amazing English versions? Friends, if you find them, please let me know.

---

## Why Shop on Desertcart?

- 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016
- 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories
- 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price
- 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members)
- 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection
- ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews

**Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/8296550-the-poems-of-catullus-a-bilingual-edition](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/8296550-the-poems-of-catullus-a-bilingual-edition)

---

*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-01-22*