Marcus Varelius Martialis

An ancient Roman epigram poet. Born in Spain. After receiving his education there, he moved to Rome around 64 and stayed in the home of his fellow countryman Seneca. After Seneca's death, he supported himself by writing. He became acquainted with aristocrats and writers such as Pliny the Younger, Quintilian, and Juvenal, and gradually gained recognition, eventually receiving the title of knight from the emperor. In 80, he published "The Book of Spectacles" at the opening of the Colosseum, and established his fame with his works "Xenia" (Gifts) and "Apophoreta" (Souvenirs) around 84. After 85, he published 12 volumes of "Epigrams". However, he grew tired of life in the big city of Rome, and returned to his hometown around 98, where he spent the rest of his life on land given to him by a patron.

He used short poems called epigrams to satirize human stupidity and was proud that "my books have the scent of humanity," but unlike his friend Juvenal, he did not engage in social criticism. His works sometimes contain vulgar expressions and subservient attitudes toward those in power, but he perfected the epigram as a literary style with his sharp insight and taut writing style, and became one of the most representative poets of the Silver Age.

[Toki Masasaku]

"Higuchi Katsuhiko's translation of "Epigrams" (included in "World Famous Poetry Collection 1: Ancient and Medieval Volumes", 1966, Heibonsha)" ▽ "Fujii Noboru's translation of "Selected Poems of Martialis - Appendix: Greek Epigrams" (1964, Daigaku Shorin)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代ローマのエピグラム（寸鉄詩）詩人。スペインの生まれ。同地で教育を受けたのち、64年ごろローマに移り住み、同郷人セネカの家に身を寄せ、その死後文筆で細々と生計を支える。小プリニウス、クインティリアヌス、ユウェナリスら貴族や文人と交わりを深め、しだいに認められて、皇帝から騎士の身分を授けられる。80年コロセウムの開場に際して『見世物(みせもの)の本』を発表し、84年ごろの作品『クセニア』（贈り物）、『アポフォレタ』（土産(みやげ)物）によって名声を確立、85年以後『エピグラム集』12巻を順次発表する。しかし、大都会ローマでの生活に倦(う)み疲れ、98年ごろ故郷に帰り、後援者から贈られた土地で余世を送った。

　彼はもっぱらエピグラムとよばれる短詩を用いて人間の愚かさを風刺し、「私の本は人間の匂(にお)いがする」ことを誇りとしたが、友人ユウェナリスのような社会批判はみられない。その作品中には、ときに猥雑(わいざつ)な表現や権力者への卑屈な態度もみいだされるが、彼は鋭い洞察と引き締まった文体によってエピグラムを文学様式として完成し、白銀時代を代表する詩人の1人となった。

［土岐正策］

『樋口勝彦訳『エピグラム集』（『世界名詩集大成1　古代・中世篇』所収・1966・平凡社）』▽『藤井昇訳『マールティアーリス詩選――附録・ギリシア詞華集』（1964・大学書林）』

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