The story of Clodia is taken from the account of the trial, in 56 BC, of Marcus Caelius Rufus who had been accused of attempting to poison his former lover Clodia. He was successfully defended by Cicero, one of Rome's greatest lawyers and orators who later wrote up his defence speech in a work entiteld Pro Caelio ("In defence of Caelius").
For information on Cicero see the separate weblink section below.
Information on one of the most famous surviving speeches by the Roman orator, Cicero, from which the Anthology extract Clodia is taken.
About the author
To find out about Cicero's life and works,
click here.
English Translations and Latin Texts
Terrific, precise translation produced by Stephen O'Brien and Clive Madel of the Camden School for Girls, London.
Depending on your default audio player, you may need to save the file on your computer before opening it.
Scroll the top half of the screen (Latin text) down to Section 34 (half-way through which the Anthology extract starts: cum ex nobili). Then click the link for a good, pretty close translation.
The bottom half of the screen has grammatical notes for advanced students.
Don't forget, the extract in the Cambridge Latin Anthology adapts some words and word-order from sections 34, 35 & 36.
A more flowery translation. The link takes you to section 34. Click the blue forward arrow to adcance the translation.
The extract in the Cambridge Latin Anthology adapts some words and word-order from sections 34, 35 & 36.
The link takes you to section 34 of Cicero's speech ("Pro Caelio") where he makes a series of accusations against Clodia.
The extract in the Cambridge Latin Anthology adapts some words and word-order from sections 34, 35 & 36.
Click the exercises for Chapters 34-36 for passages used in the Cambridge Latin Anthology's "Clodia".
Analysis
A detailed and descriptive biography of Clodia; however, it takes as certain that Clodia was the same woman whom the poet Catullus referred to as "Lesbia" - a highly likely but unproven fact.
Hyperlinked biography from Wikipedia that reads nicely.
Clodia belonged to the family of clan of the Claudii family or, as they were known in Rome, the gens Claudia. Here's more info about this ancient and illustrious family.
Clodia married Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer. Here's more on the Caecilii Metelli clan - one of the most important and wealthiest families in Rome.
Biography on Marcus Caelius Rufus. At the time of this trial he was 24 and Clodia, his ex-girlfriend, was nearing 40...
A Roman resort that partied like modern-day Ibiza. Baiae, named after Baios, the navigator of Odysseus who died near its shores, is now largely under the sea; the modern town is spelled "Baia".
Switch between road map and satellite view of today's Baia, still a holiday destination. This map centres on the Archaeological Park of Baia.
Information on some of the ruins in this former luxury resort.
A lot of Baiae's Roman ruins are underwater today.
Luxury homes for the rich!
Wall-painting originally from "Villa San Marco" at Stabiae; now in the Archaeological Museum, Naples.
Originally from "Villa San Marco" at Stabiae; now in the Archaeological Museum, Naples.
All in a row along the shore! Still in situ in the House of Marcus Lucretius Fronto at Pompeii.
Recreation of a triclinium at the Archäologische Staatssammlung München
He's holding up - not a pipe - but a drinking horn. Fantastic fresco from the House of the Chaste Lovers in Pompeii.
Fresco from the House of the Chaste Lovers in Pompeii.
Fresco from the House of the Chaste Lovers in Pompeii.
Fresco with brief explanation.
Although not marked on this map as their exact postion is unknown, the gardens which Clodia owned were probably part of her villa situated on the right bank of the Tiber opposite the Campus Martius. They are mentioned frequently by Cicero who wished to buy the property.
Catullus and his affair with Lesbia (aka Clodia)
The poet Catullus wrote several love poems to his girlfriend "Lesbia". This rather poetic name is considered by many to be a false name for the notorious Clodia Metelli - the woman laid into by Cicero in his defence of Caelius.
The names Lesbia and Clodia are metrically interchangeable, and so when Catullus read aloud his poem to his girlfriend he could have used her real name, Clodia, but then could have easily substituted her nickname "Lesbia" when he published them.
Extracts from Catullus' poems which refer to Lesbia. Poem 58 tells us that Lesbia also loved Caelius.
This poem is often thought to be a "thank-you" poem by Catullus to Cicero for not mentioning his afair with Clodia/"Lesbia" in Caelius' trial.
Special Resources
Terrific series of literary and cultural questions with follow-up answers and pointers that help illuminate the Anthology text. Especially valuable for those preparing for GCSE exams.
Created by Godfrey Evans of Chelmsford County High School for Girls.
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Once you have opened or saved the file to your PC, you'll need to play in "slideshow mode" for full effect.
Background notes, cultural and literary analysis courtesy of Godfrey Evans of Chelmsford County High School for Girls.
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