Appendix Vergiliana. Catalepton. VI. XII. Translation with Notes

The present work aims to present a variant of the translation for the 6th epigram and the 12th of the Catalepton series, contained in the Vergiliana Appendix. It is well known that this series of manuscripts was attributed to Virgil, but the authorship of several poems is questioned, considering that the works in question belong to imitators and also admirers of Virgil. On the other hand, specialists who consider that the works may belong to Virgil attribute the difference in style and vocabulary to the author’s lack of experience. As these are his works of youth, their author is subject to influences, especially those of new poets whose prominent representative was Catullus. The Catalepton was mentioned by both Donatus and Servius as allegedly belonging to Virgil. The 6th epigram should be read in conjunction with the 12th to get an overall picture of the events. However, the characters referred to remain shrouded in mystery. The 6th epigram captures the lyricist’s invective on both his father-in-law and son-in-law who are blamed for the unhappiness of a young woman whom the author admires and who is forced to retire to the country from the city because of the harmful behavior of the two. The 12th epigram captures the moment of the wedding between the two aforementioned and its ominous shortcomings.