Erotica Romana

The Roman Elegies (originally published under the title Erotica Romana in Germany, later Römische Elegien) is a cycle of twenty-four poems by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Along with the Venetian Epigrams, they reflect his Italian Journey and celebrate the sensuality and vigor of Italian and Classical culture. Written mainly after his return to Weimar, they contain poems on many sexual themes, and some were suppressed from publication during Goethe's lifetime due to fears of censorship. The poems are also a loving tribute to Goethe's companion, Christiane Vulpius, whom he met in 1786 on his return from Italy.