ODNOS PREMA MITU U POEZIJI RIMSKIH LIRIČARA NA ODABRANIM PRIMERIMA IZ KATULOVOG I PROPERCIJEVOG OPUSA

Abstract

The paper investigates the ways of formation, transformation and function of myth in the poetry by Gaius Valerius Catullus, the Roman lyricist of the age of Caesar, and Sextus Propertius, the poet of the Augustan circle. Bearing in mind that the Latin literature grows upon Greek and Hellenistic foundations, we shall observe the changes, inversions and inovations in the well-known mythical summaries that the two poets accept in order to incorporate them in a completely original way into their own creative works. Firstly, the analysis shall focus on Catullus’ epyllion The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis (LXIV) as well as on the elegy addressed to his friend Alliius (LXVIII), while regarding the Propertius’ opus our attention will be dedicated to the XV and XIX elegy of the first book; XIII elegy of the second book and VII elegy of the fourth book.