Ennius’ tragedies

Memorie catulliane, fra Ennio e Seneca. Appunti sul c. 76

This paper focuses on Catullus c. 76, analysing both its models and its influence on early Imperial literature. As for the models, with special reference to ll. 19-22, we can find Theognides, Sappho, and, more surprisingly, an allusion to Ennius’ tragedies, which is justified by the desperation expressed by the poet in his invocation to the Gods for letting him free from his passion for Lesbia.

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