Catullus 47 in Latin & English:  Porci et Socration, duae sinistrae Pisonis
Channel: David Amster
Date: 2022-02-06

#catullus
#latinpoetry
#latinpronunciation

Catullus is outraged that two good-for-nothings were promoted
by Piso in Macedonia, while his friends were overlooked and have 
returned penniless. 

Porci: a member of Piso’s staff, otherwise unknown. Catullus is 
probably playing on how similar his name, Porcius, is to porcus,
“pig, swine.” 

Socration: a Greek member of Piso’s staff; this diminutive may 
have been his real name, but may have been made up to poke 
fun at his philosophical pretentions.

Duae sinistrae: instead of a “right-hand” man, Piso has two left 
hands to carry out his dirty work. 

Pisonis: most likely L. Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, the governor 
of Macedonia from 58-55 B.C. and Caesar's father-in-law. He 
was mentioned in less-than-flattering terms in poem 28 as 
Veranius’ and Fabullus’ boss, and described scandalously in 
Cicero’s speeches “De Provinciis Consularibus” and “In Pisonem.”

Scabies: an itching disease; longing, prurience. 

Fames: famine; hunger, violent longing, greediness. 

Mundi: of the world, of humanity

Vos: You?! Used twice and emphatic by position. 

Veraniolo meo et Fabullo: close friends of Catullus, mentioned in 
Carmen 9, 12, 13, & 28. He uses the diminutives of Veranius and 
Fabius to show his affection for them. 

Verpus: a vulgar word indicating perpetual arousal, suggesting 
abusive treatment of others. “Verpa” was used in Carmen 28, 
with reference to Veranius and Fabullus’ experience with Piso: 
“nam nihilo minore verpa farti estis.” 

Praeposuit: placed before, preferred; he favored them above the 
others, thus giving them a chance to enrich themselves.

Priapus: the god of fertility and procreation; a lecherous person. 
Here it refers to Piso’s sexual excesses. 

Convivia: feasts, banquets 

Lauta: elegant, splendid, luxurious. 

Sumptuose: lavishly, extravagantly, expensively.

De die: from daytime on, beginning during working hours. Having 
become rich serving under Piso, they no longer need to work for a living.

Sodales: friends, comrades.

Quaerunt: seek, search for. 

In trivio: a place where three roads meet, a cross-road; the public street. 

Vocationes: invitations to lunch or dinner. 

Date: ca. 55 B.C. 


Artwork:

Fayoum Portrait, Roman Egypt, 130-150 A.D., Metropolitan Museum 
of Art, New York, photo by Mary Harrsch, public domain.

Bronze Statuette of Priapus, Roman, A.D. 1-200, The J. Paul Getty Museum.

Translation: DWA, Fez, February 6, 2022


Pronunciation:

poRc(ī) et socRatiōn, duae sinistRae
pīsōnis, scabiēs famēsque mundī,
vōs vērāniolō me(ō) et fabullō
veRpus pRaeposuit pRiāpus ille?
vōs convīvia lauta sūmptuōsē
dē diē facitis, meī sodālēs
quaerunt in triviō vocātiōnēs?


Meter:  Hendecasyllables

Pōrci ēt Sōcrătĭōn, dŭaē sĭnīstraē
Pīsōnīs, scăbĭēs fămēsquĕ mūndī.
Vōs Vērānĭŏlō mĕo ēt Făbūllō
vērpūs praēpŏsŭīt Prĭāpŭs īllē? 
Vōs cōnvīvĭă laūtă sūmptŭōsē
dē dĭē făcĭtīs, mĕī sŏdālēs
quaērūnt īn trĭvĭō vŏcātĭōnēs?


Porcius and little Socrates, 
the two left hands of Piso,
itching prurience 
and ravenous greed of the world,
You that ithyphallic Priapus
preferred over my dear 
Veranius and Fabullus?! 
You are hosting elegant banquets 
extravagantly in the middle of the day? 
My friends are begging 
on the street corner 
for dinner invitations?!