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Martial XIII: The Xenia
Although both innovative and engaging, Book XIII of Martial's epigrams, the Xenia, has generally been neglected. As its name suggests, it is concerned with presents, in particular those given at the Saturnalia by hosts to their dinner guests. Like the Apophoreta, which Martial published next, it comprises independent poetic couplets cast as descriptive gift-tags.

Far from being mere verse catalogues, however, these books are highly sophisticated literary compositions. Whereas the Apophoreta encompass many different items, the Xenia are devoted to food and drink, and are carefully ordered to reflect the courses of the cena at which they might have been distributed. This edition contains commentary devoted exclusively to the Xenia. Combining literary and textual comment with close attention to the social and cultural context, it will be valuable not only to specialists in Latin literature but also to anyone interested in the food and festivals of Ancient Rome.
1124116721
Martial XIII: The Xenia
Although both innovative and engaging, Book XIII of Martial's epigrams, the Xenia, has generally been neglected. As its name suggests, it is concerned with presents, in particular those given at the Saturnalia by hosts to their dinner guests. Like the Apophoreta, which Martial published next, it comprises independent poetic couplets cast as descriptive gift-tags.

Far from being mere verse catalogues, however, these books are highly sophisticated literary compositions. Whereas the Apophoreta encompass many different items, the Xenia are devoted to food and drink, and are carefully ordered to reflect the courses of the cena at which they might have been distributed. This edition contains commentary devoted exclusively to the Xenia. Combining literary and textual comment with close attention to the social and cultural context, it will be valuable not only to specialists in Latin literature but also to anyone interested in the food and festivals of Ancient Rome.
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Martial XIII: The Xenia

Martial XIII: The Xenia

Martial XIII: The Xenia

Martial XIII: The Xenia

Overview

Although both innovative and engaging, Book XIII of Martial's epigrams, the Xenia, has generally been neglected. As its name suggests, it is concerned with presents, in particular those given at the Saturnalia by hosts to their dinner guests. Like the Apophoreta, which Martial published next, it comprises independent poetic couplets cast as descriptive gift-tags.

Far from being mere verse catalogues, however, these books are highly sophisticated literary compositions. Whereas the Apophoreta encompass many different items, the Xenia are devoted to food and drink, and are carefully ordered to reflect the courses of the cena at which they might have been distributed. This edition contains commentary devoted exclusively to the Xenia. Combining literary and textual comment with close attention to the social and cultural context, it will be valuable not only to specialists in Latin literature but also to anyone interested in the food and festivals of Ancient Rome.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781350005297
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 08/25/2016
Pages: 240
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

T.J. Leary is Head of Classics at Hampton School and the author of Acts of the Apostles: Passages for Translation, also published by Bloomsbury

Table of Contents

Preface and acknowledgements
Bibliography
Introduction i. The title of book 13
ii. The Roman Saturbanalia iii. The order of epigrams in the Xenia iv. The date of the Xenia v. Martial's poetic purpose vi. Meter vii. The text
Latin Text
Commentary
Index

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