CATULLUS 68 - Scuola Normale Superiore

introduces. Now the construction that we are looking at is both elaborate and very rare, and one could object
that it did not have a constant meaning, but writers could make it up and use it as they saw fit. However, two
other paths of thought lead to the same conclusion.
A number of ancient writers refer to the gifts of the Muses and to those of Venus. As a correct analysis of
munera et Musarum et Veneris is essential for an understanding of poem 68a, I give an exhaustive list.
A) MUNERA MUSARUM
(i) Kingly eloquence
• Hesiod, Theogony 93 το⇔η Μου! ϖν ⇓ερ↓ δ〉!ι! νψρ⊕ποι!ιν. In the twelve lines before this one
Hesiod has described how a king is able, thanks to the favours of the Muses, to speak well in public, to earn
the people’s respect and to make wise judgements.
(iia) μου!ικ→, the art of composing songs (or poems)
• Archil. frg. 1 West ε⇒μ⇐ δ ⁄γ∅ ψερ πϖν μ′ν Ενυαλ⇔οιο νακτο! / κα⇐ Μου!ϒϖν ⁄ρατ∫ν
δ∩ρον ⁄πι!τ μενο! ...
• Solon frg. 13.51f. West λλο! Ολυμπι δϖν Μου!ϒϖν π ρα δ∩ρα διδαξψε⇔!, / ⇓μερτ°! !οφ⇔η!
μϒτρον ⁄πι!τ μενο! …
• Lyr. Adesp. 959 PMG ο⎡ γ ρ ⁄ν μϒ!οι!ι κε⇑ται / δ∩ρα δυ!μ ξητα Μοι! ν / τ∪πιτυξ〉ντι φϒρειν.
• Antipater of Sidon, AP 7.14.1-4 & 7f. Σαπφ⊕ τοι κε⎛ψει!, ξψ∅ν Α⇒ολ⇔, τ ν μετ Μο⎛!αι! /
ψαν ται! ψνατ ν Μο⎝!αν ειδομϒναν, / ν Κ⎛πρι! κα⇐ Ερϖ! !υν μ∋ ƒτραφον, ! μϒτα Πειψ⊕ /
ƒπλεκ ε⇔ζϖον Πιερ⇔δϖν !τϒφανον ... οιδ∩ι / φψιτα μνη!αμϒναι δ∩ρ Ελικϖνι δϖν.
Sappho is described as ‘the singer mindful of the immortal gifts of the Muses’. Note how in the first part of
the epigram she is associated both with the Muses (to whom she belongs) and with Aphrodite and Eros (who
educated him).
• Also Anacreon frg. 2 West, quoted below under C.
(iib) μου!ικ→, song (poetry and music combined, as in early Greek poetry) or poetry
• Hesiod, Theogony 103 ... ταξϒϖ! δ′ παρϒτραπε δ∩ρα ψε ϖν. The ‘gifts of the goddesses’ (of the
Muses: see line 100) are the song of the οιδο⇔ and the κιψαρι!τα⇔ (see lines 96-103), which ‘easily
change the mind’ of a person who is sad.
• Alcman, frg. 59b PMGF το⎝το Ωαδη ν ƒδειϕε Μϖ! ν / δ∩ρον μ καιρα παρ!ϒνϖν / ϕανψ
Μεγαλο!τρ τα. We know nothing about the context of this fragment, but the poet appears to be describing
a song that Megalostrata has performed.
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