Catullus tries his hand at marriage guidance counselling. The therapy he suggests – throwing the husband off a bridge – seems a little extreme. Hear Catullus’s Latin and follow in English here; see the illustrated blog post here.

In a less well-known Lesbia poem, Catullus addresses a translation of a famous Greek poem to her, before breaking off to take himself to task for idleness.

Hear Catullus’s Latin and follow in English here.

See the illustrated blog post with more about the poem here.

Catullus leaves Ipsitilla in no doubt about his intentions as he invites himself to a siesta with Ipsitilla. Includes explicit material.

Hear Catullus’s Latin and follow in English here.

See the illustrated blog post here.

Odysseus has come out on top in his struggle with the Cyclops, but his victory is fated to be a hollow one.

Hear Homer’s Greek and follow in Samuel Butler’s English here.

See the illustrated blog post here.

Odysseus and his men have blinded the Cyclops, but he is sitting in the mouth of the cave, barring their escape. How can they get past him?

Hear Homer’s Greek and follow in Samuel Butler’s English here.

See the illustrated blog post here.