Selected EpigramsThis lively translation accurately captures the wit and uncensored bawdiness of the epigrams of Martial, who satirized Roman society, both high and low, in the first century CE. His pithy little poems amuse, but also offer vivid insight into the world of patrons and clients, doctors and lawyers, prostitutes, slaves, and social climbers in ancient Rome. The selections cover nearly a third of Martial's 1,500 or so epigrams, augmented by an introduction by historian Marc Kleijwegt and informative notes on literary allusion and wordplay by translator Susan McLean. Finalist, Literary Translation Award, PEN Center USA |
Contents
Preface | vii |
Introduction | xv |
Book One | 3 |
Book Two | 13 |
Book Three | 23 |
Book Four | 33 |
Book Five | 43 |
Book Six | 49 |
Book Eight | 63 |
Book Nine | 70 |
Book Ten | 78 |
Book Eleven | 87 |
Book Twelve | 98 |
Notes | 109 |
| 169 | |
| 171 | |
Common terms and phrases
Augustus Aulus Aulus Pudens baths Bilbilis book of epigrams buggered Caecilianus Caesar catamite Catullus Chione Cinna cock Commentary cunnilingus death dine dinner Dio Cassius Domitian drink emperor epigrams eunuch Fabullus fellatio friend of Martial’s fuck Galán Vioque Galla gifts girl give Greek name guests hair Henriksén Howell humor husband Hyllus imperial kisses Latin Lesbia Licinianus Lucan Lucillius Lupercus married Martial frequently Martial implies Martial suggests Martial’s epigrams Martial’s Shackleton Bailey means mentioned Moreno Soldevila Nero Nerva one’s oral sex patron of Martial’s penis performing oral sex performs fellatio Philaenis Phoebus Pliny Pliny the Younger Pliny’s poems poet Postumus praise Priapus Priscus prostitute Quintus readers recite rich Roman Rome Rufus Sabellus satirical sesterces Sextus sexual Shackleton Bailey Shackleton Bailey notes shameful slave sodomized Spain Suetonius Sullivan Martial there’s translated verse Watson and Watson wealth wife wine woman write you’re Zoilus