Question:
What made Martial decide to write a collection of epigrams? What was their impact on Roman society?
Comment:
I found that it was really interesting to see who Martial would address next. Some people–namely Caesar–I recognized, but I had no idea who Lupercus was. The only reference I found was to the Roman God of farming. Furthermore, I really enjoyed how purposeful his writing was and how he addressed more abstract people/concepts, such as his book and its readers. It helped us understand his worldview as an author.
Quote:
“You prefer, little book, to dwell in the shops in the Argiletum, though my book-case has plenty of room for you. You are ignorant, alas! you are ignorant of the fastidiousness of Rome, the mistress of the world; the sons of Man, believe me, are much too critical” (1)