Martial, Book XIII, The Xenia
By: text with introduction and commentary by T.J. Leary.
Contributors: Martial.
Series: Classical inter/faces
Publisher: Duckworth
Published: 2001
Place of publication: London
Language: eng; lat
Number of pages: 209
Subjects: Martial; Epigrams, Latin -- Translations into English; Epigrams, Latin -- History and criticism; Dinners and dining in literature; Dinners and dining -- Poetry; Festivals in literature; Rome -- In literature; Festivals -- Poetry; Gifts in literature; Food in literature; Epigrams, Latin; Gifts -- Poetry; Food -- Poetry
Genres: Translations into English.; Poetry.
Other titles: Martial, Book 13, The Xenia; Martial, Book thirteen, The Xenia; Xenia
Description: "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 the first commentary devoted exclusively to the Xenia. It combines literary and textual comment with close attention to the social and cultural context, and will therefore be of value not only to specialists in Latin literature but also to anyone interested in the food and festivals of Ancient Rome."--BOOK JACKET.