Son of Licinius Macer[2] and thus a member of the gens Licinia, he was a friend of the poet Catullus, whose style and subject matter he shared.
[8] At the trial one of the bystanders caused Catullus to laugh by crying out "Great gods, what an eloquent salaputium!".
The meaning of the rare word salaputium has been disputed, but it has been suggested that it may have referred to Calvus's wit or short stature.
[9][10] Seneca the Elder mentions his short stature, and refers a story in which Calvus asked to be raised to a platform, so that he could defend one of his clients, Asinius Pollio, being attacked by supporters of Gaius Cato.
[11] Seneca also tells a story of how, at a trial, the defendant jumped up and complained "I ask you, judges, am I to be condemned just because that man is a good speaker?