Epigrams, by Martial
Author: Marcus Valerius Martialis
This book was privately printed in 1921 and was limited to 990 copies. This is #147
Completely translated into English
Hardcover
Page Count: 423
Martial was a Spaniard likely of Roman parentage. A longtime resident of Rome, he had the sense of humor and biting satire that would make him a perfect late night show host in our day. That not being an option, he made his acerbic observations in short poems, often couplets. These ‘epigrams’ are wonders of the art. Many are lewd, and many more are earthy, like the way people express themselves in unguarded speech. He often named names or made instantly recognizable allusions. Since he was high enough in society to hear things, it was the rare instance of the powerful being skewered, the role only a court jester is habitually allowed. He published a short volume per year for more than a decade, and one can imagine the fear that would build when the next one was due.
The lewdness is the main reason publications of the epigrams was curtailed or censored. Hence this privately published edition, available by subscription only. This was how literary porn was circulated and it speaks to how he straddled the high and low worlds that Latin scholars and the voyeurs agree that he is much worth reading.
Condition: Good to Very Good. No dustjacket but the cover and spine are strong and bright. The interior contents are all Very Good.
Author: Marcus Valerius Martialis
This book was privately printed in 1921 and was limited to 990 copies. This is #147
Completely translated into English
Hardcover
Page Count: 423
Martial was a Spaniard likely of Roman parentage. A longtime resident of Rome, he had the sense of humor and biting satire that would make him a perfect late night show host in our day. That not being an option, he made his acerbic observations in short poems, often couplets. These ‘epigrams’ are wonders of the art. Many are lewd, and many more are earthy, like the way people express themselves in unguarded speech. He often named names or made instantly recognizable allusions. Since he was high enough in society to hear things, it was the rare instance of the powerful being skewered, the role only a court jester is habitually allowed. He published a short volume per year for more than a decade, and one can imagine the fear that would build when the next one was due.
The lewdness is the main reason publications of the epigrams was curtailed or censored. Hence this privately published edition, available by subscription only. This was how literary porn was circulated and it speaks to how he straddled the high and low worlds that Latin scholars and the voyeurs agree that he is much worth reading.
Condition: Good to Very Good. No dustjacket but the cover and spine are strong and bright. The interior contents are all Very Good.
Author: Marcus Valerius Martialis
This book was privately printed in 1921 and was limited to 990 copies. This is #147
Completely translated into English
Hardcover
Page Count: 423
Martial was a Spaniard likely of Roman parentage. A longtime resident of Rome, he had the sense of humor and biting satire that would make him a perfect late night show host in our day. That not being an option, he made his acerbic observations in short poems, often couplets. These ‘epigrams’ are wonders of the art. Many are lewd, and many more are earthy, like the way people express themselves in unguarded speech. He often named names or made instantly recognizable allusions. Since he was high enough in society to hear things, it was the rare instance of the powerful being skewered, the role only a court jester is habitually allowed. He published a short volume per year for more than a decade, and one can imagine the fear that would build when the next one was due.
The lewdness is the main reason publications of the epigrams was curtailed or censored. Hence this privately published edition, available by subscription only. This was how literary porn was circulated and it speaks to how he straddled the high and low worlds that Latin scholars and the voyeurs agree that he is much worth reading.
Condition: Good to Very Good. No dustjacket but the cover and spine are strong and bright. The interior contents are all Very Good.