One of literature’s greatest satirists, Martial earned his livelihood by excoriating the follies and vices of his time and set a pattern that satirists have admired and imitated across the ages. Born in Spain, Marcus Valerius Martialis (c. 40-102 CE), known in English as Martial, went to Rome as a young man to win fame and fortune. At the height of his career he published a book of scathing social commentary every year - 1,500 poems in all, of which Wills translates about a third. This exquisite translation from acclaimed author Garry Wills does not sacrifice the cleverly constructed effects of Martial’s short and shapely thrusts. MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS make addictive reading and a perfect - if naughty - gift.