Examining the Underlying Theme of Flattery in Catullus’ Carmen 13
On the surface, Catullus’ Carmen 13 is concerned with the theme of gift-giving among friends. In the poem, a penniless Catullus invites Fabullus, whom he mentions in Carmen 12 as a dear friend, to dine at his house – “apud me” (Line 1). However, attached to the invitation is the condition that Fabullus provides “bonam atque magnam cenam” (3-4), “candida puella” (4), “et vino et sale et omnibus cachinnis” (5). By the second half of the poem, Catullus offers in return the gift of love – “meros amores” (9), and an alluring perfume that the gods themselves had given to Lesbia. In bequeathing this to Fabullus, a cycle of gift-giving occurs in that a previous gift is being given to a friend in response to a gift. On the surface, Carmen 13 reads like charming and light-hearted dinner invitation. However, such invitations generally specify a date or a time.1 Furthermore, in other invitation poems, such as Philodemus’ 23 or Horace’s Epist. 1 and 52, the poet-host will apologize for being unable to provide luxurious food and wine. Catullus does the exact opposite in Carmen 13 by claiming poverty and requesting Fabullus to provide the furnishings. Thusly, this poem should be viewed as a pleasant half-joke of an invitation. It could very well be a procrastinated request of their meeting. Fabullus may have just returned from his political duties in Spain and desired to reconnect with his dear friend. Catullus thus writes this poem for the purpose of reciprocating the interest to meet, but not necessarily taking it seriously. However, this is not in the personality of the passionate and friend-oriented Catullus, as seen in Carmina 9, 12 and 14. The poet seems to consider his contribution of Lesbia’s “unguentum” (11) equal to all that Fabullus is requested to bring. Throughout the second half of the poem, he