How did Sappho influence Catullus’s poetry?

The Greek poet Sappho exerted a significant influence on the work of the Roman poet Catullus. This influence is evident in both his technical craft and his thematic choices:

• Metrical Adoption: Catullus honored Sappho by adopting the sapphic verse meter for his own compositions, incorporating this original rhythmical pattern into his work.1
• Thematic Homage: Catullus used the pseudonym "Lesbia" for the woman who inspired his famous love poems, a clear reference to Sappho’s home on the island of Lesbos.2
• Direct Paraphrasing: Certain poems by Catullus explicitly evoke Sappho’s style. For instance, his poem number LI is a direct paraphrase of a Sapphic model, capturing the intensity of adoring love.2
• Literary Standing: Modern critics often rank Catullus alongside Sappho as a master of the European lyric, recognizing his ability to transform traditional verse forms into vehicles for profound personal emotion, passion, and wit.3