Description:
Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis) was a Spanish writer who lived in Rome in the second half of the first century AD. This book tells what we know about the man's commonsense attitude to life, and his hatred of hypocrisy and malice. It also assesses his debt to literary tradition and the astonishing influence he had on later writers.
Brief description: PETER HOWELL is Senior Lecturer in English and Programme Director at St Mary's University College, UK.
Review Quotes: "Sound in scholarship yet witty, rich in examples drawn from ancient and modern sources yet always focused on the explication and appreciation of the poet's texts, H's is a worthy introducation to the multi-faceted poetrey of Martial. It is a handbook that may inspire the casual reader to delve into the text with confidence, shows the student what kinds of issues should be brought to bear on the reading of Martial's epigrams (as well as what attitudes and approaches might yield the most satisfying hermeneutic results), and finally suggests to post-graduate essayists what essential bibliography they should make the object of a carefull tolle, lege before attempting to write on this poet." -- Ilaria Marchesi, Journal of Roman Studies