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On a certain unpopular Cominins, perhaps one of two brothers from Spoletium, P. and C. or L. Cominius, who are mentioned by Cicero (Cic. Cluent. 100) as prosecutors. In the year 66 B.C. a popular tumult terrified them into giving up their prosecution of C. Cornelius, though one of them, in spite of general unpopularity, resumed it the following year, on which occasion Cornelius was defended by Cicero.

cana senectus: cf. Catul. 61.162 “cana anilitas” .

[2] spurcata impuris moribus: the hoary head that should be a crown of glory is to him but a mark of confirmed infamy.

[3] bonorum: perhaps in the sense of optimatium (as often in Cicero), if this Cominius was one of the prosecutors.

[4] lingua exsecta: cf. Cic. Cluent. 187 “Stratonem in crucem esse actum exsecta scitote lingua” .

[4] sit data: perfect, followed by the present voret, since the loss of the tongue, as a punishment for his perjuries, would be inflicted upon him before his execution and the throwing of his body to the crows and their associates.

[4] vulturio: cf. Catul. 68.124n.

[5] effossos oculos: etc., cf. Vulg. Proverb. 30.17 “oculum … effodiant cum corvi de torrentibus, et comedant eum filii aquilae” , Hor. Ep. 1.16.48 “non pasces in cruce corvos” . With vv. 5 and 6 Statius compares Ov. Ib. 167ff.

[6] canes: cf. Hor. Ep. 17.11 “addictum feris alitibus atque canibus” .

[6] lupi: cf. Hor. Ep. 5.99f., post insepulta membra different lupi et Esquilinae alites.


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

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hide References (4 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (4):
    • Old Testament, Proverbs, 30.17
    • Catullus, Poems, 61
    • Cicero, For Aulus Cluentius, 100
    • Cicero, For Aulus Cluentius, 187
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