Wine in Catullus and Horace

Both Horace and Catullus write about wine in different ways.

Catullus, in his poem 27, writes about wine in an excessive and careless way:

“You boy there, serving out the vintage vino—

mix me stronger and sharper-tasting cupfuls…

… join the puritans. Here the wine is unmixed!”

Here, Catullus goes against the Roman norms in diluting wine with water. He intends to drink it straight, for what purpose, the reader does not know. He gets straight to the point in this poem—hand me the wine, don’t mix it, those who do are puritans and can leave. This poem is abrasive to all who urge for moderation or are conservative. He does not wish to drink with such people.

Horace, on the other hand writes about wine in a less raucous manner:

“The fatal brawl of Lapiths and Centaurs over unmixed wine

Gives warning that no man should go beyond the rituals

Of moderate Liber.” (Odes, Book I, Poem XVIII)

Unlike Catullus, who urges for unmixed wine, Horace warns against such excessive behavior, using the deadly fight between Lapiths and Centaurs as a learning experience. Horace urges for moderation. Furthermore, the language in his poem is much more elaborate, and less frank. Showing proof of the consequences of unmixed wine and referring to the gods, as well as objects of celebration, Horace provides a greater depth in the purpose of his poem and his reasoning for moderation. One would be more likely to agree with Horace’s beliefs about wine (moderation) than Catullus’ (excess) simply because of his clear sense of reason.