Martial a social guide Art L. Spisak.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Spisak, Art L., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Martial--Criticism and interpretation.

Martial.

Latin literature.

Latin poetry.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (158 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London Duckworth 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"In the past both the significance and purpose of Martial's poetry have often been misinterpreted or missed altogether because of the particular literary and social background and context that inform his poetry. For example, literary histories have given the impression that Martial wrote 'unobjectionably trivial' poems merely to cull favour from patrons; they also suggest that he had little to say that was serious. In contrast, this book argues that Martial with his poetry played a serious and vital role in his community as a social guide or conscience. The book's unique approach to Martial's poetry places him within the reactionary tradition of Indo-European blame/praise poetry. Poets in this tradition served a vital function for their community: in reaction to the perceived deterioration of the behaviour and conditions of their day they either praised ideal behaviour, or, more commonly, ridiculed socially aberrant and destructive behaviour. By linking Martial with this particular tradition we are better able to account for, understand, and appreciate his themes and methods, and the effect of his poetry."--Bloomsbury Publishing

In the past both the significance and purpose of Martial's poetry have often been misinterpreted or missed altogether because of the particular literary and social background and context that inform his poetry. For example, literary histories have given the impression that Martial wrote 'unobjectionably trivial' poems merely to cull favour from patrons; they also suggest that he had little to say that was serious. In contrast, this book argues that Martial with his poetry played a serious and vital role in his community as a social guide or conscience. The book's unique approach to Martial's poetry places him within the reactionary tradition of Indo-European blame/praise poetry. Poets in this tradition served a vital function for their community: in reaction to the perceived deterioration of the behaviour and conditions of their day they either praised ideal behaviour, or, more commonly, ridiculed socially aberrant and destructive behaviour. By linking Martial with this particular tradition we are better able to account for, understand, and appreciate his themes and methods, and the effect of his poetry

Contents:

Cover; Contents; Introduction; The problem; The ancient Greek iambic tradition; Martial as iambographer; 1. Invective; The origin of Greek iambics; Roman invective; Martial's invective; 2. Amicitia; Reciprocity and friendship; Martial's amicitia: what is it?; Social exchange; Fides; 3. Poems of Praise; Praise poetry as social control; Reciprocity: you owe me; Martial's petitions to Domitian: secondary exchange; Marital as power broker; 4. The Good Life; The urban-rural antithesis; The pastoral ideal: epigram 10.47; The golden age of Saturn; Conclusion; Notes; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index

ISBN:

9781472537782

1472537785

9781472539915

1472539915

9781472537775

1472537777

OCLC:

902958010