Latin poet and epigrammatist. Born in Bilbilis, Spain, Martial settled in Rome in
AD 64, where he lived a life of poverty and dependence. His poetry, often obscene, is keenly observant of all classes in contemporary Rome. Of his works the following survive: about 33 poems from
Liber Spectaculorum, published in
AD 80 to commemorate the opening of the Colosseum; two collections of short mottoes entitled
Xenia and
Apophoreta, (
AD 8485); and 12 books of
Epigrams, published in
AD 86102.
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