Scan barcode
dee9401's review
2.0
I picked this book up after listening to the Emperors of Rome podcast on Martial (by Rhiannon Evans & Matt Smith at La Trobe University, Australia). Unfortunately, I wasn't overly taken with Martial. I'd come across him in Dorothea Wender's fantastic "Roman Poetry: From the Republic to the Silver Age". She wasn't fond of him nor was I when I read her entries, but I thought I'd give him another try. So...Martial remains a childish, mean bully who sometimes turns a great phrase.
To be fair about my rating of 2, it also has to do with this particular edition. The selection of epigrams was such that almost every one I'd ever heard of before isn't included. The omitted items are not just the raunchy ones but also the few pithy and thoughtful ones. The translator also keeps his word choices rather tame based on other valid translations of Martial that I've come across. Worse, the translator seeks to make it easier for the modern reader to follow, so he often eliminates proper names from the text. While some readers might not know the name, and I often didn't, it does make the epigram seem wanting since the substitution or omission is usually quite obvious. One saving grace of this edition is that it has the Latin original verso facing the English translation on the recto.
As for pieces that stood out, 1.47 was an interesting takedown of Roman doctors: "Diaulus, recently physician, / Has set up now as a mortician: / No change, though, in the clients' condition" (p. 9). Item 8.69 is an example of awkward translation in that it makes it more complicated and ruins something that could be translated rather literally. See Shadi Bartsch's introduction (p. xvi-xvii), where she shows that another translator also complicated this rather interesting epigram.
To be fair about my rating of 2, it also has to do with this particular edition. The selection of epigrams was such that almost every one I'd ever heard of before isn't included. The omitted items are not just the raunchy ones but also the few pithy and thoughtful ones. The translator also keeps his word choices rather tame based on other valid translations of Martial that I've come across. Worse, the translator seeks to make it easier for the modern reader to follow, so he often eliminates proper names from the text. While some readers might not know the name, and I often didn't, it does make the epigram seem wanting since the substitution or omission is usually quite obvious. One saving grace of this edition is that it has the Latin original verso facing the English translation on the recto.
As for pieces that stood out, 1.47 was an interesting takedown of Roman doctors: "Diaulus, recently physician, / Has set up now as a mortician: / No change, though, in the clients' condition" (p. 9). Item 8.69 is an example of awkward translation in that it makes it more complicated and ruins something that could be translated rather literally. See Shadi Bartsch's introduction (p. xvi-xvii), where she shows that another translator also complicated this rather interesting epigram.
qedus's review
5.0
Vulgar, witty, cock jokes galore; it comes as no surprise that a majority of Latin obscenities we now know come from Martial's Epigrams. It's absolutely fascinating how a Roman poet from 2000 years ago can give you side-splitting laughter, makes you wish we had more surviving Latin works like this.
James Michie's translations are great, though he uses enjambment a bit too much for my taste. J.A. Pott and F.A. Wright's version is the go-to translation for the complete twelve books. I recommend using both in tandem.
James Michie's translations are great, though he uses enjambment a bit too much for my taste. J.A. Pott and F.A. Wright's version is the go-to translation for the complete twelve books. I recommend using both in tandem.
mdmullins's review
4.0
I think this is the Doctor in Roman guise
Not Who or House to get a rise
But rather that kindliest of physician
Neither research nor clinician
To suss then, I mean Seuss.
Not Who or House to get a rise
But rather that kindliest of physician
Neither research nor clinician
To suss then, I mean Seuss.
msand3's review
5.0
These epigrams are clever, dirty, insightful, and very funny. Martial was essentially the first ever roaster, calling out his friends and certain public figures with jokes and observations that were sharp, but never really intended to be cruel. The fact that he came from Spain and loved leisure and food makes him all the more charming; his personality shines through his verse. The Penguin edition's introduction and endnotes provided interesting insight into the Roman world. I only wish I had read these when I took Latin in high school.
More...