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Martial in Vienne...
Posted 10:28, Thursday 11 May 06.
I was reading Martial's Epigrams the other day when I came across this bit of text. I was particularly moved.
Martial was a Roman satirical writer who lived in Rome in the first century AD. The few lines mentioned here were intended, as a token of his gratitude, for the inhabitants of Vienne, the town where I happen to live now.
I was moved because I couldn't help thinking that, two thousand years ago, people used to read, in this very place, the epigrams I'm reading now.
My house faces the remains of the Roman theatre. Martial's written works were most probably declaimed, or at least discussed, on its steps...!
The only thing which chagrins me is that probably no-one in modern Vienne knows who Martial was...
Comment 1:
Hi Sheri! (I thought you had been very quiet lately!)
Yes, that is an excellent find. It's is a real, tangible link to the past when you come across something like that. Especially as you live right next-door to where Martial's epigrams might have been read. Several 100's of points for coolness there!!
Splendid! :)
Posted by Nigel, 11:21, Thursday 11 May 06
Comment 2:
I'm not cool! Martial is...! I believe his work survived because it's atemporal. He writes mostly about our intangible vices. Mores and trends may change through time, not vices. Man's nature is immutable and there are so many parallels to be drawn between the Romans and us, in terms of relations (mutual dealings).
Posted by Sheri, 17:33, Thursday 11 May 06
Comment 3:
Well I reckon you're pretty cool for knowing about Martial when everyone else around you doesn't!! :)))
I've only read Tacitus, Suetonius and Argicola (but not in Latin I hasten to add...!) It's amazing how many parallels there are with our modern lives. As you rightly say "human nature" has stayed the same throughout, even though our circumstances and expectations have changed.
Posted by Nigel, 20:44, Thursday 11 May 06
Comment 4:
Martial was a nice writer, we read some bits and pieces at school in my last year of A-Levels. I didn't know he had links with Vienne, but for sure he's not one of the extra famous authors that everyone would know.
Vices are great for comedy, enlarge them, shrink them, twist them, and comedy value is there already!
Posted by Lox, 01:01, Friday 12 May 06
Comment 5:
That's a terrible translation. I'm disgusted. I've not read any Martial, to be honest, but one of my professors is a "Martial Man". Congrats on being well-read...and double congrats on your place of residence. Sounds very nice.
Posted by Travis, 12:56, Saturday 13 May 06
Comment 6:
Travis: "terrible translation" could be misinterpreted...!
Posted by Sheri, 14:32, Sunday 14 May 06