Helvius Cinna facts for kids

Gaius Helvius Cinna was an important Roman poet. He lived during the late Roman Republic. He was a bit older than other famous poets like Catullus. Sadly, he was killed by mistake. This happened at the funeral of Julius Caesar. People thought he was a different person named Cornelius Cinna. That other Cinna had supported those who killed Caesar.

Who Was Gaius Helvius Cinna?

Cinna became famous for his long poem called "Zmyrna." This poem was written in a very smart and detailed style. It was similar to the poems from Alexandria. Cinna was also a good friend of the poet Catullus. Catullus even mentioned him in one of his poems.

When "Zmyrna" was finished around 55 BC, Catullus praised it a lot. He said it took nine years to create. Unfortunately, this amazing poem does not exist anymore.

We know some things about Cinna from old writings. One text, called the Suda, talks about a poet named Parthenius of Nicaea. It says that Cinna took Parthenius as a captive during a war. This was when the Romans fought against Mithridates. Later, Parthenius was set free because he was well-educated.

The Sad Mistake at Caesar's Funeral

Cinna shared a last name (cognomen) with a powerful Roman family. This was the Cornelii Cinnae family. They were related to Julius Caesar by marriage.

According to several ancient writers, a man named Helvius Cinna was killed. This happened at Julius Caesar's funeral in 44 BC. He was mistaken for Cornelius Cinna. This Cornelius Cinna was a tribune of the people. He was also involved with those who plotted against Caesar.

The writer Plutarch tells us that the Cinna who was killed was a poet. This helps us know that Helvius Cinna the tribune was the same person as Helvius Cinna the poet. So, it was the poet who died by mistake.

Cinna also wrote another poem called Propempticon Pollionis. This poem was a send-off to Asinius Pollio.

Cinna in Books and Plays

Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

The famous writer William Shakespeare included Cinna's death in his play Julius Caesar. Shakespeare showed how confusing and dangerous a crowd can be.

Here's a part from the play:

CINNA. Truly, my name is Cinna.

FIRST PLEBEIAN. Tear him to pieces; he's a conspirator!!!

CINNA. I am Cinna the poet; I am Cinna the poet!

FOURTH PLEBEIAN. Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses!

CINNA. I am not Cinna the conspirator!

FOURTH PLEBEIAN. It is no matter, his name's Cinna! Pluck but his name out of his heart, and turn him going!

This scene shows the mob's anger. They don't care that he is the poet, not the conspirator. They just hear the name "Cinna."

Other Cultural Works

• A painting called Cinna the Poet (1959) was made by Jacob Landau. It was inspired by a modern play of Caesar. This painting is now in the Museum of Modern Art.
• Cinna is a character in an opera called Le piccole storie: Ai margini delle guerre. This opera was written in 2007 by Lorenzo Ferrero.
• A play called I, Cinna (The Poet) (2012) is about Cinna. It was written by Tim Crouch for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Cinna is also an important character in the mystery novel The Throne of Caesar (2018) by Steven Saylor. In this book, he often talks about his poem "Zmyrna."
• In the 2008 film Me and Orson Welles, an actor plays the role of Cinna the Poet. This is in a play directed by Orson Welles.

See also

In Spanish: Cayo Helvio Cinna para niños

• Helvia gens