Gaius Licinius Macer Calvus facts for kids

Gaius Licinius Macer Calvus (born on May 28, 82 BC – died around 46 BC) was a famous speaker and writer of poems in ancient Rome.

He was the son of Licinius Macer and belonged to an important Roman family called the gens Licinia. Calvus was a good friend of the poet Catullus. They shared similar ideas and ways of writing their poems.

Calvus: A Roman Speaker and Poet

Gaius Licinius Macer Calvus was known for his amazing skills as a public speaker. In ancient Rome, speakers were very important. They would give speeches in courts and in the Senate, which was like a government meeting place. Calvus also wrote beautiful poems.

His Speaking Style

Calvus had a special way of speaking. He liked a simple and clear style, which was called the "Attic" style. This was different from the "Asian" style, which was more flowery and dramatic.

He once said that the famous speaker Cicero's style was "loose and nerveless." Cicero, in turn, described Calvus's style as "bloodless and dry." Even with these different opinions, they respected each other. Cicero often spoke highly of Calvus.

Famous Court Cases

Calvus was involved in many important court cases. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote that Calvus gave twenty-one speeches. Some of these were against a man named Publius Vatinius.

Calvus brought charges against Vatinius more than once. One of these trials happened in 54 BC. Cicero, who was a friend of both, actually defended Vatinius in that trial! The poet Catullus wrote about one of these trials in his poem 53. During the trial, someone in the crowd made Catullus laugh by shouting, "Great gods, what an eloquent salaputium!" People aren't sure exactly what "salaputium" meant, but it might have been a funny comment about Calvus's cleverness or his short height.

Calvus's Height and Wit

Another Roman writer, Seneca the Elder, mentioned that Calvus was short. Seneca told a story about Calvus defending a client named Asinius Pollio. Calvus was so short that he asked to stand on a platform so he could be seen better while speaking!

Seneca also shared another funny story from a trial. A person who was being accused in court got so frustrated by Calvus's powerful speaking that they jumped up and complained, "I ask you, judges, am I to be found guilty just because that man is a good speaker?" This shows how persuasive Calvus was.

Friendship with Catullus

Catullus considered Calvus a very close friend. He even wrote several poems dedicated to Calvus. In one poem, number 50, Catullus describes a fun afternoon they spent together. They took turns writing short poems, enjoying each other's company and their shared love for writing.

Later Discoveries

In 1896, a scholar named Frédéric Plessis published some small pieces of Calvus's writings that had been found. These fragments help us learn more about his work today.

See also

• Licinia (gens)
• Poetry of Catullus