Author Description

Bawdy and biting epigrams, freshly translated, ready for enjoyment. One of literatureas greatest satirists, Martial earned his livelihood by excoriating the follies and vices of his time, and set a pattern that satirists have admired and imitated across the ages. Born in Spain, Marcus Valerius Martialis (c. 40a102 CE), known in English as Martial, went to Rome as a young man to win fame and fortune. At the height of his career he published a book of scathing social commentary every year--1,500 poems in all, of which Wills translates about a third. This exquisite translation from acclaimed author Garry Wills does not sacrifice the cleverly constructed effects of Martialas short and shapely thrusts. Martialas Epigrams make addictive reading and a perfect--if naughty--gift.