Selected Epigrams

Dive into the witty and sharp world of Martial's 'Selected Epigrams,' where the ancient Roman poet unveils sharp observations on life, love, and society through vivid verses. A master of brevity, Martial employs humor and satire to comment on the follies of human behavior, making each epigram a clever gem. From biting social critiques to playful banter, these epigrams reveal the vibrant tapestry of Roman life and the timelessness of human nature. Join Martial in a journey of clever wordplay that will leave you both amused and reflective. This collection invites readers to explore how humor transcends time, revealing both the absurd and the profound in everyday life.

By Martial

Published: 2014

""Even the sun, which shines so bright, casts shadows; for all the glory of life, we still find the darkness lingering at our feet.""

Selected EpigramsBook binding

Start Listening

0:000:00

What Readers Say About This Book

This lively translation accurately captures the wit and uncensored bawdiness of the epigrams of Martial, who satirized Roman society, both high and low, in the first century CE. The selections cover nearly a third of Martial's 1,500 or so epigrams, augmented by a historical introduction and informative notes.

Mike & Casey Show Logo

The Mike & Casey Show

Dive into captivating book discussions with our expert hosts

Key Points from Selected Epigrams

About the Author

M

Martial

Martial, a Roman poet from the 1st century AD, is best known for his epigrams, a genre of short, witty poems that often deliver sharp social commentary and humor. His notable works include "Epigrams," a collection that explores themes of love, satire, and daily life in ancient Rome. Martial's writing style is characterized by its brevity, clever wordplay, and vivid imagery, making him a master of the epigrammatic form. His works have influenced countless writers and continue to be studied for their linguistic precision and insight into the social mores of his time.

Book Details

Key information about the book.

Authors
Martial
Published
December 2014
Publisher
University of Wisconsin Pres
ISBN
0299301745
Language
English
Pages
256
Genres
ClassicsPoetryLiterature

Purchase Options

Amazon logoBuy on Amazon
BookShop logoBuy via BookShop

Support local bookstores: BookShop gives a portion of each sale to independent bookshops!

Similar books you might like →

Fifty Shades of GreyBook binding

Fifty Shades of Grey

E. L. James

Re-imagine!Book binding

Re-imagine!

Thomas J. Peters

Leaves of GrassBook binding

Leaves of Grass

Walt Whitman

Best American Poetry 2018Book binding

Best American Poetry 2018

David Lehman, Dana Gioia

The Trouble with PoetryBook binding

The Trouble with Poetry

Billy Collins

Sister OutsiderBook binding

Sister Outsider

Audre Lorde

To be Mayor of New YorkBook binding

To be Mayor of New York

Chris McNickle

Milk and HoneyBook binding

Milk and Honey

Rupi Kaur

Love, an IndexBook binding

Love, an Index

Rebecca Lindenberg

The PrincipiaBook binding

The Principia

Isaac Newton, I. Bernard Cohen

Teaching My Mother how to Give BirthBook binding

Teaching My Mother how to Give Birth

Warsan Shire

ArcadiaBook binding

Arcadia

Tom Stoppard

The DreamersBook binding

The Dreamers

Karen Thompson Walker

The Beak of the FinchBook binding

The Beak of the Finch

Jonathan Weiner

The Crime of ReasonBook binding

The Crime of Reason

Robert B. Laughlin

Walk This WayBook binding

Walk This Way

Geoff Edgers

The Complete EssaysBook binding

The Complete Essays

Michel de Montaigne

Night Sky with Exit WoundsBook binding

Night Sky with Exit Wounds

Ocean Vuong

The Complete PoemsBook binding

The Complete Poems

Anne Sexton

Feminist TheoryBook binding

Feminist Theory

bell hooks

The Spider NetworkBook binding

The Spider Network

David Enrich

The Collected Poems of Wallace StevensBook binding

The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens

Wallace Stevens

Mortal Questions (Canto Classics)Book binding

Mortal Questions (Canto Classics)

Thomas Nagel

The Woman Who Wasn't ThereBook binding

The Woman Who Wasn't There

Robin Gaby Fisher, Angelo J Guglielmo

Making and Breaking the Grid, Second Edition, Updated and ExpandedBook binding

Making and Breaking the Grid, Second Edition, Updated and Expanded

Timothy Samara

The BorderBook binding

The Border

Don Winslow

The Beauty of the HusbandBook binding

The Beauty of the Husband

Anne Carson

Poetry PharmacyBook binding

Poetry Pharmacy

William Sieghart

Modern Classics the OutsiderBook binding

Modern Classics the Outsider

Albert Camus

Take your reading experience to the next level

Download our mobile app to enjoy your favorite books on the go. Get access to exclusive features, offline listening, and personalized recommendations.

Download on the App Store

Book Collections you might like →

Liz Lambert's Book Recommendations

Liz Lambert's Book Recommendations

Liz Lambert is a renowned American hotelier and creative visionary, best known for transforming the hospitality industry through her innovative designs and storytelling approach. Though not primarily an author, Lambert's influence extends into literature through her evocative narratives about the places and people that inspire her work. Her most notable project, Hotel San José in Austin, Texas, has become a cultural landmark, celebrated in numerous design and lifestyle publications. Lambert's contributions have been documented in various books and documentaries, highlighting her impact on modern hospitality and design. Her ability to blend personal stories with public spaces has redefined the guest experience, making her a pivotal figure in contemporary hotel culture.

View Collection
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Book Recommendations

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Book Recommendations

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known as AOC, is a U.S. Congresswoman representing New York's 14th district. She gained national attention after winning her seat in 2018 at the age of 29, making her one of the youngest women ever elected to Congress. Ocasio-Cortez is known for her progressive policies, advocating for issues such as Medicare for All, climate change action, and economic justice. She has become a prominent figure within the Democratic Party and uses social media to engage with constituents and the public. Her rise from grassroots activism to Congress has inspired many young people to get involved in politics.

View Collection
Cheryl Strayed's Book Recommendations

Cheryl Strayed's Book Recommendations

Cheryl Strayed is an acclaimed American author best known for her memoir "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail," which became a New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Reese Witherspoon. Born in 1968, Strayed's writing often explores themes of grief, survival, and self-discovery, drawing from her own life experiences. She has also penned the bestselling advice collection "Tiny Beautiful Things" and the novel "Torch." Beyond her books, Strayed's essays and writings have appeared in major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post. Her work has resonated with a wide audience, cementing her status as a significant contemporary voice in literature.

View Collection
Caterina Fake's Book Recommendations

Caterina Fake's Book Recommendations

Caterina Fake is an American entrepreneur and investor, best known for co-founding Flickr, one of the first photo-sharing platforms that helped define social media and web 2.0. After the success of Flickr, Fake went on to co-found Hunch, a recommendation engine that was later acquired by eBay. She is a partner at Yes VC, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups, with a focus on companies that foster human connection and creativity. Fake is also an advocate for ethical technology and often speaks about the importance of designing products that prioritize user well-being. Her contributions to tech and her insights on the intersection of technology and culture have made her a respected leader in the industry.

View Collection
Jack Edwards's Book Recommendations

Jack Edwards's Book Recommendations

Jack Edwards is a British YouTuber, content creator, and author known for his videos on literature, academia, and productivity. Edwards gained popularity through his educational content, which includes book recommendations, study tips, and insights into university life. He is an advocate for reading and lifelong learning, often encouraging his audience to explore literature and improve their academic skills. Edwards has also written a book, The Uni-Verse, which offers advice to students navigating university life. His work has made him a well-known figure in the educational and literary communities, particularly among young readers and students.

View Collection
Barack Obama's Book Recommendations

Barack Obama's Book Recommendations

Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017. As the first African American president, Obama’s leadership marked a historic moment in American history. His administration focused on healthcare reform, economic recovery from the Great Recession, and environmental policies. He is best known for the Affordable Care Act, as well as his efforts to expand civil rights and restore diplomatic relations with Cuba. Since leaving office, Obama has continued to engage in public life through his foundation, focusing on leadership development, civic engagement, and global issues.

View Collection
Oprah Winfrey's Book Recommendations

Oprah Winfrey's Book Recommendations

Oprah Winfrey is a globally renowned media mogul, talk show host, and philanthropist. She gained fame through her groundbreaking talk show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which ran for 25 years and became one of the highest-rated programs in television history. Winfrey has significantly impacted literature through her influential book club, Oprah's Book Club, which has propelled numerous books to bestseller status and fostered a love of reading across diverse audiences. She is also the author of several books, including her memoir "The Life You Want," and has contributed to numerous inspirational and self-help publications. Beyond her literary contributions, Winfrey has been a powerful advocate for education and empowerment, founding the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

View Collection
Aileen Lee's Book Recommendations

Aileen Lee's Book Recommendations

Aileen Lee is a distinguished venture capitalist and founder of Cowboy Ventures, a seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. She is widely known for coining the term "unicorn" to describe startups valued at over $1 billion, significantly impacting how the tech industry views high-growth companies. Lee's keen eye for innovation and her advocacy for diversity in tech have made her a prominent figure in Silicon Valley. Beyond her financial acumen, she has authored insightful articles on entrepreneurship and startup culture, contributing valuable perspectives to business literature. Lee's work continues to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors.

View Collection
Nassim Nicholas Taleb's Book Recommendations

Nassim Nicholas Taleb's Book Recommendations

Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a Lebanese-American author, scholar, and risk analyst, best known for his work on uncertainty, probability, and risk. His books, including The Black Swan and Antifragile, explore how rare and unpredictable events shape the world and how individuals and systems can become more resilient to shocks. Taleb’s insights on risk management have influenced fields ranging from finance to medicine, and he is known for his outspoken criticism of conventional wisdom. His ideas about randomness, decision-making, and the limitations of human knowledge have made him a leading thinker in modern economics and philosophy.

View Collection
Sheryl Sandberg's Book Recommendations

Sheryl Sandberg's Book Recommendations

Sheryl Sandberg is the COO of Meta (formerly Facebook) and the author of the bestselling book Lean In, which encourages women to pursue leadership roles and create gender equality in the workplace. She is a prominent advocate for women’s rights, particularly in corporate environments, and has launched initiatives to support women’s empowerment globally. Sheryl’s leadership at Facebook helped the company grow into one of the world’s largest social media platforms. She is also the founder of LeanIn.Org, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women.

View Collection
Keanu Reeves's Book Recommendations

Keanu Reeves's Book Recommendations

Keanu Reeves, primarily known as a celebrated actor, is also an accomplished author. His most notable literary contribution is the book "Ode to Happiness," a picture book for adults illustrated by Alexandra Grant, which explores themes of self-acceptance and finding joy in life's simple moments. He followed this with a second collaboration with Grant, "Shadows," which delves into the interplay of light and darkness in the human experience. Reeves' literary works are praised for their philosophical depth and introspective nature. His transition from the silver screen to the written word showcases his versatile talent and creative expression.

View Collection
Frank Chimero's Book Recommendations

Frank Chimero's Book Recommendations

Frank Chimero is a renowned designer, illustrator, and author best known for his influential book "The Shape of Design," which explores the philosophy and practice of design. His work emphasizes the intersection of creativity and human experience, earning him a respected place in both the design and literary communities. Chimero has contributed essays and lectures that have inspired a new generation of thinkers in the creative industries. He has also been recognized for his ability to distill complex ideas into accessible, thought-provoking content. Beyond his writing, Chimero's design projects and illustrations have been featured in numerous prestigious publications and exhibitions.

View Collection

"Even the sun, which shines so bright, casts shadows; for all the glory of life, we still find the darkness lingering at our feet."

Selected Epigrams

By Martial

Frequently Asked Questions