Martial

Who was Martial?

Marcus Valerius Martialis, was a Roman poet from Hispania best known for his twelve books of Epigrams, published in Rome between AD 86 and 103, during the reigns of the emperors Domitian, Nerva and Trajan. In these short, witty poems he cheerfully satirises city life and the scandalous activities of his acquaintances, and romanticises his provincial upbringing. He wrote a total of 1,561, of which 1,235 are in elegiac couplets. He is considered to be the creator of the modern epigram.

Famous Quotes:

• If you want him to mourn, you had best leave him nothing.
• Glory paid to our ashes comes too late.
• Be content to be what you are, and prefer nothing to it, and do not fear or wish for your last day.
• Conceal a flaw, and the world will imagine the worst.
• There is no living with thee, nor without thee.
• Fortune gives too much to many, enough to none.
• I do not like the man who squanders life for fame; give me the man who living makes a name.
• You give me nothing during your life, but you promise to provide for me at your death. If you are not a fool, you know what I wish for!
• To be able to look back upon one's past life with satisfaction is to live twice.
• I would not miss your face, your neck, your hands, your limbs, your bosom and certain other of your charms. Indeed, not to become boring by naming them all, I could do without you, Chloe, altogether.