Martial XIII: The Xenia (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781350005297)

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.

Author: T. J. Leary
ISBN-10: 1350005290
ISBN-13: 9781350005297
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Language: English
Published: 08/25/2016
Pages: 240
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.47d