Where is 'Here'? Analogies of Physical and Literary Space in Catullus 42 and 55
By Jessica Seidman
The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which Catullus constructs space on the pages of his poems. The importance of geography in Catullus’ Carmina is evident even to the first-time reader: Garrison’s classic The Student’s Catullus includes four pages of reference maps designed to help such a reader locate everything from Celtiberia in the west, homeland of the smiling Egnatius, to Nicea in the east, Catullus’ point of departure for his springtime travel in poem 46. The significance of “si