Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis)
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23736618 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kathleen Coleman (Harvard University Press, corresponding author), Kathleen M Coleman |
| Year | 2019 |
| Pages | 1-2 |
| Publication date | 2019-06-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | The Encyclopedia of Ancient History (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/9781444338386.wbeah30551 |
| OpenAlex | W2991560227 |
| ISBN | 9781444338386 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 6 |
The Spanish poet Martial, who moved to Rome ca. 64 ce , composed fifteen books of epigrams between the reigns of Titus and Trajan. His reflection of contemporary social life is both vivid and stridently opinionated; his purpose is wit, not impartiality. He expresses contemporary prejudices against foreigners and other minorities, and is notorious for his obscenity. He flatters his many influential patrons, most prominently the emperor Domitian, while simultaneously mocking the patronage system. His inconsistencies are best ascribed to poetic opportunism, and it is now generally recognized that he adopts an authorial persona, rather than speaking in his own voice.
Ancient history · Art · Emperor · Epistemology · Humanities · Impartiality · Literature · Persona · Poetry · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classical Studies and Legal History · History · Philosophy
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |