E. T. Merrill, Commentary on Catullus, Poem 115

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On Mentula, reputed great in riches, but great only in profligacy.

[1-2] These verses give the plain facts about the size of Mentula's estate, while in vv. 3-6 are ironically rehearsed the exaggerated rumors about it.

iuxta: all in one lot (ironically); with iuxta of the proximity of several objects to one another cf. Plin. NH 36.117.

[2] maria: i. e. swamps; cf. v.5.

[3] Croesum: cf. Catul. 24.4n. Midae.

[5] paludes: apparently common report had bestowed extensive and well stocked fish-ponds upon Mentula, but it is only marsh-land that he owns (cf. v. 2 maria).

[5] -que: hypermetric: see Intr. 76.

[6] Hyperboreos: the fabulous dwellers in the extreme north by the streams of ocean.

[6] mare ad Oceanum: cf. Caes. BG 3.7.2 “proximus mare Oceanum” ; Tac. Ann. 1.9 “mari Oceano aut amnibus longinquis saeptum imperium” .

[7] ultro: emphasizing ipse; Pl. Men. 831 “hei mihi, insanire me aiunt, ultro quom ipsi insaniunt” ; Varr. RR 3.17.6 “nisi etiam ipse eos pasceret ultro” .

[8] mentula: a similar play to that in Catul. 94.1ff. The triple alliteration is noteworthy.

Catullus. Catullus. E. T. Merrill. Cambridge. Harvard University Press. 1893.

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