During this course, we will follow the rise and fall of Catullus’ passionate affair with Lesbia through his own poetry. We’ll read a carefully curated set of his poems in full, tracing the story from sparrows and kisses to betrayal, bitterness, and the immortal paradox of odi et amo. Along the way, we will discuss Catullus’ style, his place in Roman literary culture, and the emotional intensity that makes him the fountainhead of Latin love poetry. The class will be conducted entirely in Latin, with attention to both close reading and literary analysis.
About the cycle
The so-called Lesbia cycle is not a continuous narrative but a cluster of poems scattered throughout Catullus’ book. Some are tender, others biting; some are elaborate, others just two lines long. Together they create a striking arc: a love that begins in joy and playfulness, rises to sublime passion, and collapses into recrimination and despair. By interleaving Catullus’ longer, core “Lesbia” poems with his epigrammatic reflections, our course reconstructs this emotional journey while giving equal weight to his lyric and epigrammatic modes.
Type: Speaking and Reading | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language of instruction: Latin
Class size cap: 6 | Platform: Zoom
Dates: September 27, 2025 - November 29, 2025
Meets (EST*): Saturdays, 1:00 PM | 10 sessions (1 hour 30 minutes each)
Materials: The instructor will provide any required materials.
Sessions will be recorded and made available to enrolled participants for review or in case they missed a session.
Zoom
Decent internet connection
Earphones
Microphone
Webcam (preferred but optional)
A quiet space for classes
*The course will observe US time and thus will change according to daylight saving time.
Major US federal holidays are observed. If a participant misses a session due to their observance of a religious holiday, they can arrange a separate session with the instructor.
Education should be accessible. Choose the tier that fits your situation — no proof required, no shame included.
Supported — USD 300 total ($20/hour)
for students, caretakers, or anyone stretched right now.
Standard — USD 450 total ($30/hour)
full-value rate; covers the cost of small-group instruction.
Sustainer — USD 600 total ($40/hour)
covers your seat and includes a contribution to our scholarship fund. Thank you!
During this course, we will follow the rise and fall of Catullus’ passionate affair with Lesbia through his own poetry. We’ll read a carefully curated set of his poems in full, tracing the story from sparrows and kisses to betrayal, bitterness, and the immortal paradox of odi et amo. Along the way, we will discuss Catullus’ style, his place in Roman literary culture, and the emotional intensity that makes him the fountainhead of Latin love poetry. The class will be conducted entirely in Latin, with attention to both close reading and literary analysis.
About the cycle
The so-called Lesbia cycle is not a continuous narrative but a cluster of poems scattered throughout Catullus’ book. Some are tender, others biting; some are elaborate, others just two lines long. Together they create a striking arc: a love that begins in joy and playfulness, rises to sublime passion, and collapses into recrimination and despair. By interleaving Catullus’ longer, core “Lesbia” poems with his epigrammatic reflections, our course reconstructs this emotional journey while giving equal weight to his lyric and epigrammatic modes.
Type: Speaking and Reading | Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Language of instruction: Latin
Class size cap: 6 | Platform: Zoom
Dates: September 27, 2025 - November 29, 2025
Meets (EST*): Saturdays, 1:00 PM | 10 sessions (1 hour 30 minutes each)
Materials: The instructor will provide any required materials.
Sessions will be recorded and made available to enrolled participants for review or in case they missed a session.
Zoom
Decent internet connection
Earphones
Microphone
Webcam (preferred but optional)
A quiet space for classes
*The course will observe US time and thus will change according to daylight saving time.
Major US federal holidays are observed. If a participant misses a session due to their observance of a religious holiday, they can arrange a separate session with the instructor.
Education should be accessible. Choose the tier that fits your situation — no proof required, no shame included.
Supported — USD 300 total ($20/hour)
for students, caretakers, or anyone stretched right now.
Standard — USD 450 total ($30/hour)
full-value rate; covers the cost of small-group instruction.
Sustainer — USD 600 total ($40/hour)
covers your seat and includes a contribution to our scholarship fund. Thank you!
NOTA BENE: Classes require a minimum number of participants to run although they may run with fewer participants, at the instructor’s discretion.
More than a week before the start of the course: 100% refund or credit
Less than a week before the first class up until the second class: credit
