Visiting Assistant Professor of Classics Jesse Weiner chaired a panel on Greek literature and presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association (PAMLA) in Pasadena, Calif., on Nov. 12.
Weiner presented “Stripping the Bark: Rethinking glubit in Catullus 58”in a panel discussion on Latin literature. He argued that glubere (an obscure piece of obscene Latin sexual slang) smuggles the specter of violence into Catullus’ poetry through its literal agricultural definitions.
Weiner suggested that Catullus thereby uses the verb not only to insult Lesbia in Poem 58 but also to emasculate the men whom he alleges his former mistress services.
