Propertius: the Poems

Flamboyant and passionate, the love poems of Propertius are among the most beautiful to have been written in any language. In this eloquent and consistently faithful translation, W. G. Shepherd does full justice to the work of this remarkable Latin poet.

Born about 48 B.C. in Umbria, Sextus Propertius was one of a group of poets influenced by Greek Alexandrian mannerism who developed the genre of Roman love elegy. Through shifting moods of ecstasy and frustration, his early works celebrate his obsessive love for his mistress, Cynthia. All his work is distinguished by strong visual imagery, richness of language, and an intensely personal style.

Flamboyant and Passionate, the love poems of Propertius are among the most beautiful to have been written in any language. In this eloquent and consistently faithful translation, W. G. Shepherd does full justice to the work of this remarkable Latin poet. Born about 48 B.C. in Umbria, Sextus Propertius was one of a group of poets influenced by Greek Alexandrian mannerism who developed the genre of Roman love elegy. Through shifting moods of ecstasy and frustration, his early works celebrate his obsessive love for his mistress, Cynthia. All his work is distinguished by strong visual imagery, richness of language, and an intensely personal style. "With its helpful introduction, notes, and glossary, this edition is useful both to scholars and to students. The lively yet literal translations capture the sense and spirit of Propertius' original poems." -- Ellen Greene, author of The Erotics of Domination: Male Desire and the Mistress in Latin Love Poetry

W. G. Shepherd was educated at Brentwood School and Jesus College, Cambridge. He is the translator of the Penguin Classics edition of Horace's Complete Odes and Epodes and the author of four volumes of poetry.

Betty Radice was the editor or translator of numerous works in the Penguin Classics series and the author of Who?s Who in the Ancient World.