Of all the major Latin poets of the first century BC, Gaius Valerius Catullus (c.84–c.54) is the one who speaks most directly to the modern reader. In his English version of Catullus’s complete works, Chris Pilling’s approach is to communicate to modern readers the feel that the poems had for Catullus’s own audience. These poems spring from Catullus, with Pilling’s characteristic wit, inventiveness and virtuoso rhyming.

"Many in Keswick talk of being inspired by teacher Chris Pilling, who told of teaching Latin when not knowing any and, of course, French – which he undoubtedly knows. Chris’ poems made the audience laugh as well as wonder at his use of words."
Keswick Reminder

Chris Pilling lives in Keswick. He has published nine books and pamphlets of his own poetry, including Foreign Bodies and Life Classes, but is particularly well known for his translations of French poets, including Tristan Corbière, Max Jacob and Lucien Becker. A selection of his Catullus translations won the first prize in the prestigious John Dryden Translation Competition in 2006.