The present volume aims to replace the earlier New Survey by John Ferguson, which appeared in 1988. The intervening thirty-five-year period has been a particularly productive one for Catullan studies, during which important work on Roman constructions of gender, identity, and sexuality and developments in accepted views of genre and intertextuality have affected our understanding of the poet and his work in fundamental ways. I have attempted in an epilogue to outline some of the most important developments: here, it is perhaps sufficient to note – with my predecessor – that ‘there is no universally agreed view’ of Catullus and his poetry (Ferguson 1988: v). Where scholarly opinions diverge, I have tried to give an indication of the range of prevailing interpretations, though the overview of scholarship offered in what follows is inevitably selective. Bibliography on Catullus is immense, and full coverage is impossible: my aim has been to make reference to the most important and influential items, and to those that I have found most useful, giving preference to English-language publications (on the assumption that this will be most helpful to the anticipated readership of this volume). The appendix indicates some resources for those in search of more comprehensive bibliographical guidance. For readers who may be unfamiliar with Roman social and sexual mores, a glossary of relevant terminology has also been included.

I am most grateful to John Taylor and the Classical Association Journals Board for the invitation to contribute to the New Surveys series, and for their patience in the face of prolonged delays to the delivery of the typescript; and to Phillip Horky for his meticulous scrutiny of the penultimate draft and numerous helpful suggestions for improvement. Hester Higton copyedited the typescript with painstaking care and attention, and saved me from many infelicities: it was a pleasure to work with her, and with Melanie Howe at Cambridge University Press, who steered the volume though the publication process with great efficiency. Warm thanks are due to Gail Trimble and James Uden for sharing work with me prior to publication, and to the former for her invaluable guidance on the scholarship on poem 64. Above all, David Scourfield was a constant source of wise advice and encouragement. At a time when he was under considerable pressure himself, he generously read a draft of the entire volume: his comments and suggestions have improved it in countless ways, and it is a pleasure as ever to take this opportunity to acknowledge his unfailing assistance and support.