Albius Tibullus was a Latin poet and a contemporary of Virgil. We have very little information about Tibullus’s life and we’re not even sure if the last two book of poems attributed to Tibullus was really even written by him. However, we are pretty confident that the first two volumes of poems was authored by Tibullus and like many of the poets of his time, he dedicated his poetry to the object of his affection.

In Book 1 chapter 1 line 57-58, we learn that her name is Delia…

“Non ego laudari curo, mea Delia; tecum

Dum modo sim, quaeso segnis inersque vocer.”

And in Book 1 chapter 6 line 68 we learn she is not a Roman matron because she does not wear the stola, which was the typical attire of the women of the aristocratic class.

“Sit modo casta, doce, quamvis non vitta ligatos

Impediat crines nec stola longa pedes”

In Book 1 chapter 5 line 43-46 we have some idea of Delia’s physical features…Tawny hair and green eyes

“Non facit hoc verbis, facie tenerisque lacertis

Devovet et flavis nostra puella comis.

Talis ad Haemonium Nereis Pelea quondam

Vecta est frenato caerula pisce Thetis.”

But of course this relationship has its problems…Mainly because she has another lover:

(Book 1 chapter 5 line 47)

“Haec nocuere mihi, quod adest huic dives amator; […]”

Oh, and did I mention she’s also married? Book 1 chapter 6 line 15

“At tu, fallacis coniunx incaute puellae, […]”

The next volume of poems doesn’t say exactly how the affair with Delia ended, but it look like he found a new muse with a woman by the name of Nemesis…Book 2 chapter 3 line 49-51

“iam ueniant praedae, si Venus optat opes: ut mea luxuria Nemesis fluat utque per urbem
incedat donis conspicienda meis.”

Answers:

Book 1 chapter 1 line 57-58

I do not seek praise, my Delia; as long

as I am with you, let reputation die!

Book 1 chapter 6 line 68

Yet teach her to be chaste, although no fillet binds

her hair up, no long stola falls to her feet.

Book 1 chapter 5 line 43-46

Yet not with spells, but by her face and soft arms

and tawny hair my girl enchants me,

like Thetis, Nereus’s daughter, her eyes green as the waves

she crossed on dolphin-mount to Peleus’s arms.

Book 1 chapter 5 line 47

This hurts me. And now she has a rich lover;

Book 1 chapter 6 line 15

But you, unwary husband of a unfaithful girl,

Book 2 chapter 3 lines 49-51

But ah! I see that riches are woman’s only joy: then let Spoils of War reign, if Venus desires wealth,

so my Nemesis may wallow in luxury, and advancement

Hope you had fun reading Tibullus’s poems as much as I did!