Canidia

• a sorceress, often mentioned by Horace, Hor. Epod. 3, 8; id. S. 1, 8, 24; 2, 1, 48; 2, 8, 95; to whom Epod. 5 and 17 are addressed.

whose real name was Gratidia, as we learn from the scholiasts, was a Neapolitan hetaira beloved by Horace; but when she deserted him, he revenged himself upon her by holding her up to contempt as an old sorceress. This was the object of the 5th and 17th Epodes, and of the 8th Satire of the first book. The Palinodia in the 16th ode of the 1st book is supposed to refer to these poems. Horace attacks her by the name of Canidia because her real name Gratidia conveyed the idea of what was pleasing and agreeable, while the assumed one was associated with gray hairs and old age. (Comp. Hor. Sat. 2.1. 48; Schol. Acr. and Cruqu. ad loc. and ad Sat. 1.8. 24.)

A Neapolitan courtesan, whose real name was perhaps Gratidia, beloved by Horace; but when she deserted him he revenged himself by holding her up to contempt as an old sorceress (Hor. Epod. v.; Sat. i. 8), though his famous palinode (Carm. i. 16), beginning O matre pulchra filia pulchrior is thought by some to have been intended as an apology to her.