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Production Note

Digital Rare Book Collections
Rare Book & Manuscript Library
University of Illinois Library at
Urbana—Champaign
2019
 
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SOME ACCOUNT

OF AN

ANCIENT MANUSCRIPT

0F

MARTIAL’S EPIGRAM S.

ILLUSTRATED BY
AN ENGRAVING,
AND
OCCASIONAL ANECDOTES
OF THE

MANNERS OF THE ROMANS.

~~~~v§wwyxm

BY

JOHN GRAHAM DALYELL, ESQ.

EDINBURGH:
PRINTED FOR ARCHIBALD CONSTABLE & 00.
BY A. BALFOUR, MERCHANT COURT.

 

MDCCCXL

 
 

 

 

 
PREFACE.

THE most valuable manuscripts some—
times remain utterly unknown and neglect-
ed, though deposited-in libraries of the ea-
siest access. But, on considering the re-
pulsive labour of collation, and the renewed
ambiguities wherein those who undertake
to illustrate them are involved, it will seem
less remarkable that few are ready to ven-
ture on the task. The subject in itself is
dry and uninteresting, and it cannot be de-
nied, that, even with all the embellishments
of which it is susceptible, no great attrac—
tions are presented by the result,

The sole object of the following tract, is
to exhibit a general view of an ancient ma-
nuscript of one of the Roman classics. In-
stead of entering into a more minute detail

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

ii

of its peculiarities, and a narrower investi-
gation of its precise era, which might have
proved acceptable to some, there is an ob-
vious expediency in restricting all discus—
sion Within very limited bounds. The
former are infinitely too numerous to be
specified; and, with regard to the latter,
as in matters so arbitrary as the fashion
of chirography, the difference of fifty or
eighty years cannot be indisputably ascer-
tained, it is better to submit simple con-
jectures to those skilled in antiquarian lite-
rature, than to advance positive conclusions,
which may ultimately prove erroneous.

 
SOME ACCOUNT

OF AN

ANCIENT MANUSCRIPT.

 

THE interest excited among the moderns '
by the works of ancient classical authors, is
a powerful inducement to preserve and il-
lustrate those manuscripts which belong to
the earliest ages. By means of careful col-
lation, and the aid of history combined,
we are enabled to ascertain the purity of
such writings as have been transmitted for
our use, to reject interpolations, supply de—
ficiencies, and restore originality. Editions
of the classics, while typography was yet in
infancy, are prized, chiefly from the cer—
tainty of their approaching so much nearer
A

 
 

 

 

 

 

2 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS,

the aera of composition, than copies of the
present day. But how inconsiderable are
350 years, which exceed the date of the
oldest, when deduced from 1700 or 2000,
that have elapsed since the author himself
survived? Besides, the sources of those
editions have seldom been disclosed, and
we are left to conjecture whether they
were copious or scanty, and whether they
bore intrinsic evidence of antiquity, or were
merely transcripts from manuscripts but
little anterior in date. Admitting, how-
ever, that their age was undoubted, we can—
not forget, that the diplomatic science was
new when printing commenced in Europe :
the same facilities of determining the aera
and authenticity of ancient monuments,
which our capacious collections afford, were
denied to the learned; nor had they libra—
ries equally extensive at command, where—
by the opinion of others might regulate
their judgment.

Few complete manuscripts of the R0—
man classics are known to exist; and al—

, 4..." $333;
 

MARTIAL’S EPIGBAMS. 3

most every printed edition in circulation is
composed of fragments, various in extent
and antiquity. One manuscript has afford-
ed what was defective in another, and reci-
procal selections have filled up the work.
That such expedients proved necessary,
can excite no surprise on reflecting, that
the perishable materials of ages so remote,
are still in preservation, while substances
tenfold more durable by nature, have va-
nished in decay. Independent of the corro-
sions of time, the decline of the Roman em—
pire, the irruption of barbarians, and the
consequent overthrow of the arts, all con—
spired towards eradicating the records of
literature. Hence, in addition to treatises,
of which the name alone has reached us,
. we have to regret the loss of others, writ-
ten by poets and historians of acknowledged
celebrity. Those escaping the general de-
vastation, were disseminated in monaste-
ries, which soon became the sole repositories
of learning, or came into the possession of
eminent individuals, among whose posteri-

 
 

 

 

4 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

ty they descended as a paternal inheri—1
tance. Copies were thence gradually dis-
persed, for some have always been found
to esteem learning; and a knowledge of
ancient classical compositions was more
widely diffused by the general revival of
letters, and the subsequent invention of ty-
pography. Their peculiar tenor was well
adapted to the state of mankind, emerging
from darkness, restraint, and illiberality;
for history, morals, and poetry, present far
greater attractions to uncultivated minds,
than the recondite principles of scientific
research: nor were there any other works
of more recent times, which could bear
comparison in excellence. Thus they gain‘
ed an unrivalled ascendancy, which, by the
lapse of years, is scarcely diminished.

Not content with the matter disclosed in
the redundant editions of the classics, which
have been issued forth to gratify the pub-
lic, we are still anxiously engaged in the
' pursuit of early manuscripts, and taught to
prize them as the most precious relics.

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 5

But in the importance we are now so
prone to attach to the monuments of an-
tiquity, nice discriminations must be ob—
served, and that which is truly valuable
alone selected. The present age is infi-
nitely too much addicted to inconsiderate
estimation of what is old, for that single
quality, and though destitute of every other
recommendation: intrinsic worth is disre-
garded, and the illustration of historical
facts, or the correction of ambiguities, in-
stead of holding the first place which they
merit, rank as subordinate properties.
Amidst the evils flowing from such an ab-
surd propensity, the page of history is vio-
lated by the assumption of improbable tra-
ditions for truth, and interesting narratives,
which demand grave discussion, are disfi;
gured by low and trivial incidents. Gei—
nuine antiquarians, however, will sedulous-
1y repress this pernicious tendency: their
province is to reject the dross from the
ore,——a rare qualification indeed, as is pro-_
ved by its inversion in practice. Nothing

 
 

 

 

6 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

is more unequal than the value of manu~
' scripts; nor is it by any means uncommon,
that the oldest are the least deserving of
notice, because their numerous imperfec—
tions render them unfit for use. These
imperfections center in many causes: first,
the unskilfulness of transcribers; secondly,
the inaccuracy of the manuscript supplied;
and thirdly, the want of opportunity to im—
prove copies by collation. In every civil—
ised country, stranger to the art of print—
ing, numberless transcribers of books have
found occupation; and it is reasonable to
conclude, that, among them, beautiful and
correct chirography was in higher repute
than learning. The errors with which their
productions abound, conspicuously evince
their literal adherence to the vitiated sense
and orthography of the original, and at the
same time betray their own incapacity to
amend either.

In the library of theFaculty of Advocates
in Edinburgh, there is deposited a very an-
cient manuscript of Martial’s Epigrams,

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS, 7

which has perhaps been entirely overlook-
ed by commentators; and as those who
have employed themselves on this poet
affirm, that there is yet no correct edi—
tion of his works, it may the better merit
consideration. Nevertheless it cannot be
denied, that restoring the originality of
Martial, is more an object of curiosity than
of use. His verses, though occasionally re-
plete with wit and poignancy, are not to
be ranked With the erudite and flowing
compositions of Virgil or Ovid: and’there
is too much reason to believe, that his
praises sprung from servile adulation, while
his satire had sources less pure than the
abhorrence of vice.

Ancient as this manuscript is, and not"
withstanding others of the classics are rare—
ly seen of equal date, a long interval elap-
sed between the death of Martial and the
period of its execution. The incidents of
his history are scanty and unconnected;
but from what may be collected from. his
own works and cotemporary authors, it ap-

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

pears that he was born about the forty—third
year of the Christian aera, at Bilbilis, now
Calayatud, in the kingdom of Aragon, which
had previously been subjected to the do—
minion of the Romans. Nothing more of
his parentage has been transmitted, than
that the name of his father was Fronto,
and that of his mother Flaccilla. His own
name is universally understood to be Mar,-
cus Valerius Martialis, to which certain
biographers add Coquus. This againythe
most learned commentators, such as Rade—
rus, reject, conceiving, that Coce has been
substituted for guoque, in a defective copy
of Lampridius, the first author by whom
Martial is mentioned under that appella-
tion. * Their opinion is corroborated by
the ancient manuscript about to be descri-
bed, in which Coquus is no where to be

* Et quoniam de lepusculis facta est mentio, quod ille lepo-
rem quotidie haberet, jocus poéticus emersit, idcirco quod
multi septem diebus pulchros esse dicunt qui leporem come-
derint ut Martialis cocz' epigramma significat, quod c’ontra
quemdam Gelliam scripsit hujusmodi, . . . EliusLampridius
in vita Alexandri Severi, § 38.

 
 

MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. S9.

discovered, though repeatedly M. Valerius
Martialis. At the age of twenty—one, Mar—
tial transferred his residence from Bilbilis
to Rome, and lived there thirty-five years,
during the reign of several successive em-
perors. To them many of his epigrams
were addressed; and it is said, that both
Domitian and Titus held him in esteem.
From his own writings also, conclusions
have been drawn, that he was made a citi—
zen of the capital, raised to the equestrian
dignity, and created a tribune. But the
[favour of princes is precarious; and if his
complaints of poverty are just, Martial’s
friends must have contributed very sparing—
ly to the amelioration of his fortune. There
likewise, it is extremely probable, the source
of his imaginary gifts in the Xenia and Apo~
phoreta lay ; and the fact is, confirmed, by a
letter of Pliny the Younger to Neratius
Priscus, wherein he informs him, that he
had bestowed a small present on Martial,
to enable him to support the expense of a
journey, ' undertaken recently before his

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

death. “ It was a gift in testimony of my
friendship: it was a remuneration for the
panegyric he had lavished upon me. For—
merly, our ancestors were invariably accus—
tomed, by certain honours, or pecuniary re-
wards, to gratify those authors who had
contributed to their celebrity. But in later
days, this, along with other laudable cus-
toms, has been abolished. Ever since cea-
sing to merit praise, we feel repugnant to
receive it.” Martial being unable to re—
tain the same credit-with T rajan as with his
predecessors, returned to Spain, where his
biographers conjecture he married a lady
named Marcella, endowed with large pos-
sessions. Possibly they are right, for pas—
sages in the epigrams infer, that she was a
foreigner; and Martial certainly compares
the pleasure that he derived from his acqui~
sitions, to what a little kingdom would
have afforded. But if his marriage was ac-
tually subsequent to his return to Spain,
his enjoyment of this success was only of
short duration, for he died in Italy during

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 11

the fifty—seventh year of his age. Pliny,
in recording the poet’s death, testifies his
sorrow at the event, and characterises him,
in a few words, as sprightly, ingenious,
and acute, while his writings were equally
poignant and candid. Perhaps Pliny thought
himself bound to defend those he had pa—
tronised ; not that his opinion of the works
of Martial is singular, for they have met the
like approbation from able critics, both an-
cient and modern.

Martial is commonly reputed the author
of a single book of epigrams, called Specta-
cula, which ordinarily precedes the rest of
his works ; twelve books of epigrams on
miscellaneous subjects, commendatory, sa-
tirical, or libellous, to which are subjoined
two under a different title, Xem‘a and Apo—
phoreta. Doubts, however, are entertained,
whether he wrote the Spectacula, and whe—
ther part of the epigrams, ascribed to him,
be not spurious.

The compositions of this poet are obscure,
and of difficult interpretation ; whence Tur-

 
 

 

 

 

12 MARTiAL’s EPIGRAMS. ,

nebus, a learned author, justly remarks,
“ Versus Martialis sunt lepidi, sed paucis
intellecti, cum tamen, verbis minime obscu-
ris,‘.contexti sunt.” The difficulty arises
not less from our ignorance of the minu—
tiae of Roman antiquities, than from most
of the facts advanced by Martial occurring
nowhere besides : and to these reasons may
be added, the imperfections of the manu-
scripts executed in the middle ages. The
earlier editors were unacquainted with the
substitutions of letters, with the false gram—
mar, and barbarisms attached to manu—
scripts of high antiquity; and While render-
ing the text into the least exceptionable
form according to their apprehension, pro—
bably they vitiated the original. Those
whose studies have led them to investigate
such manuscripts, are well aware, that it is
scarce possible, without the assistance of
collation, now to reduce a Latin classic, six
or seven centuries old, into an intelligible
form.

The manuscript of Martial’s Epigrams

x.-

 

 

, M ”an”, mm”;- v ., u, M» w» *twa ,. .. .si- 4’
 

MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 13

deposited in the Advocates’ Library, con-
sists of 108 square folios, of a particular
kind of parchment, differing a little in tex—
ture from that presently in use. The co-
lour is dull, perhaps from age, but the
parchment itself is free of blemishes, and
in a state of perfect preservation. A few
pages at the beginning, including the first,
are somewhat injured; but hardly any part
of the volume can be said to be totally
obliterated, and, in general, it is equally
clean, fresh, and entire, as on the day when
it was written. Each page is divided into
two columns. The ink is brown, with
exception of several of the incipits and ex-
plicits, and of some columns which are of so
deep a black, that, were it not from their
uniformity and coincident characteristics
with the rest, they might be suspected of
more recent date.

The Whole volume is written in what is
called the small Roman letter, which was
common among the Romans in the days of
Martial; but the titles of the epigrams, as

 
 

I46 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS;

also the incz'pits and explicits, are, with a sin-
gle exception, invariably in rustic capitals :
in that e*Xception, the Roman round letter
appears ; and the Roman numerals are em—
ployed exclusively. Capitals are sparingly
used, being seen only at the commencement
of some of the verses, in addition to the
preceding places: and points, distinguish—
ing letters and sentences, are entirely want—
ing. From these circumstances, consider-
able difficulty attends perusal of the manu—
script, which is infinitely enhanced by the
words running into each other, or being ir—«
regularly divided, and the first syllable an~
nexed t0 the word before it, while the last
is prefixed to that immediately subsequent.

As, by a fortunate concurrence, all the

 

varieties of character follow in adjoining
columns, they can be exhibited in an en-
graving, which is a better means of illus—
tration than any description can prove. It
may further be remarked, that, in regard

 

to the single capitals, A resembles an in—
verted V, G can scarcely be distinguish-

 

 

_,.--.»...,,,,,.,.» V. .77.-_\.,{v4.‘;.g;,u~._.. Erasmwu- h—-.,,Alm~!$-¢*vf Kylrfiv V " "
i, . ~.--u . \ -3. ik . “r ., i , , ,

1/..n;_4..44~_;_3_. \g: . , ,;...;..22« “M H“. ‘ ,, v H . _ _,..‘, .«mw

\_

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 15

ed from C, H is sometimes fashioned as
K, and Y is frequently surmounted by a
point. The small letter has a general re—
semblance to modern printing, being alto-
gether different from the Gothic character,
afterwards introduced, and the cursive or
current hand. Dipthongs consist of sepa-
rate letters, we or 06, except in the rarest in—
stances ; and contractions are, for the most
part, denoted by points, as trahisq. for tra-
hisque, numerib. for numeribus, .e. for est;
and the ancient mode of punctuation in
terminating a subject, is favourably shewn
in the engraving. Contractions, which
changed the general appearance of a fami-
liar character almost to that of a different
language, were of later introduction. Here
the contraction 8; [et] is frequently adopt—
ed in the commencement, middle, and end
of words, indiscriminately, as well as stand-
ing single: examples occur in a&herinos,
a&as, po&arum, dec&, lic&. The numerals
strictly correspond with the practice of the
Romans ; for instance, z'ncz'pit liber VIIII., or

 
 

 

 

 

16 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

Epigrammaton lib. VIIII. explicit, and parti~
cularly in incz'pz't liber X11, and liber XII ex—
plicit.

The difficulty of condescending on the
exact age of an ancient manuscript, and
the hazard inseparable from opinions, where
dates are entirely wanting, are very great.
Nevertheless, the union of various peculi—
arities, those which are reserved for a cer—
tain aera, and excluded from all others,
may assist in guiding to the truth. The
fashions of a country alter no less in chi—
rography, than in architecture, dress, or
amusements; and we shall look in vain for
what is in most common use to day, during
the course of preceding centuries. Taking
every characteristic in View, and also abi-
ding by the opinion of persons best skilled
in the diplomatic science, it may be conclu—
ded, that the manuscript now under consi-
deration, has possibly been written about the
year 850. Circumstances, indeed, which
it would occupy too much time to detail,
might perhaps carry it back to the century

—r~ -:‘-"“‘\.«'-?r i , 7_ ‘ _¥ _ _\,

s - 73;: LPHAL. ‘ r“,- ' ~ “g, .N,Mv_;_ “433M“ 7: -‘

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 17

before; but, independent of manuscripts so
old not presenting absolute uniformity,
these circumstances are counterbalanced
by some, which, in like manner, might
bring it down to the one succeeding. The
square form of this volume, and the divi—
sion of the page into two columns, are re—
garded as entitling it to be classed with
those of remote antiquity.

The volume is bound in very thick wood—
en boards, with large brass knobs; and on
one side is inscribed, on a slip of parchment
sunk into the board, covered With transpa-
rent horn, and secured with brass edging,
rlfartz'alz's, written in characters of the tenth
or eleventh century. Every thing, in short,
connected with the manuscript, denotes
uncommon age. Its history is quite un-‘
known. Probably it has been executed on
the continent; for the similarity of the
writing to cotemporary manuscripts of
Great Britain, or rather of England only,
is not sufficient to warrant a‘presumption,

that it was completed here. The only
B

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

18 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

date it bears is 1632, there being inscribed

on a blank leaf, Jacobus iMarchant lizmc librum '
possidet ex dono Francisci Desmeulz'cre amici

sui : Sedani 3 Decembris 1632. It seems to

have been in the Advocates’ Library about

a century, but there is no evidence of

whence it came, and it is still in the same

state as when acquired.

The contents of the volume are the
whole twelve books of Epigrams, the Xe—
nia and Apophoreta, which, it has already
been observed, commentators subjoin as
two books additional, and number them the
thirteenth and fourteenth. In this place,
however, they are apparently considered
compositions of another kind, and not rela—
ting to the twelve preceding books. The
manuscript begins, VALERIUS MARTIALIS
LECTORI svo SALUTEM ; and ends with
the last epigram of the Apophoreta, as in
printed editions. All the twelve books are
distinctly divided, and the commencement
and termination of each specified; as, M.
VALERI MARTIALIS LIBER XI EXPLICIT.

 

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 19

INCIPIT LIBER XII FELICITERg—M. VALERI
MARTIALIS XENIA EXP. IN. C. APOPHo-
RETA FELICITER; that is, the chapter of
Apophoreta begins. All the titles of the
epigrams are in capitals, but they are, in
repeated instances, quite different from the
titles hitherto given; and there is likewise
a material difference in the number of epi—
grams contained in a book. On the whole,
the manuscript consists of fewer epigrams
than are seen in editions, and there is some
difference in the mode of division and ar—
rangement. They stand as follows :

Liber I 12]. VII 96
‘ 11 94 VIII 83
III 99 . IX 92

IV 86 X 85

V 90 XI 104

VI 94 ' XII 92
XENIA 126 APOPHORETA 220

The defect might be the less regretted,
were none except the more estimable epi-
grams preserved; but there are many of
an opposite kind, which commentators,

 
 

 

 

 

‘ V.“‘S’fidu9~'vl‘mwngsfi”7;, L' ' '

20 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

with more zeal than prudence, have pub—
lished at length, and embellished with com-
mentary. These have been suppressed by
others, either in obedience to their own
feelings, or the prevailing manners of the
times, and in this they merit approbation.
Still there is no edition which would not
admit of further retrenchment by a judici-
ous and skilful hand ; for, in anxiety to re—
tain originality, What is dangerous, offen-
sive, and infinitely below mediocrity, has
been preserved. In defence of such edi—
tions, it is said, let a reader make his own
selection, rejecting the bad from a picture
of an age of immorality. But that is too
feeble an apology; and the excuses advan~
ced by the author himself, prove his con—
sciousness of the wrong he committed.
Editors rarely agree in the number of
epigrams pertaining to each book; nor
does the manuscript correspond with the
contents of any copy consulted by the au—
thor of this tract. One source of discrer
pancy consists in the unequal extent of epi—

- » iwii..__m~‘.wwa_gm.ur m; “—r‘» < ,. - )- -

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 21

grams immediately subsequent; for lines are.
disjoined from one to be annexed to and—
ther, thus exhibiting an epigram longer or
shorter than usual. Without entering mi-
nutely into the subject, we may enquire in—
to some differences of the manuscript, from
the editions of Farnabius and the Bipont
editors, which, being extremely copious,
and reduced by few or no castrations,
may properly serve for a general colla—
tion. it The fifth book of the former con-
tains 85, that of the latter 84 epigrams,
while there are 90 in the manuscript. But
Ep. 20. which is there inscribed, ad Caesa-
rem Domitianum, is divided in the manu—
script into two; the first of six lines in—
scribed ad Ccesarem, and the second addres—
sed ad Germanicum. Ep. 43. of the same
book, instead of constituting a single epi—

‘ There are discrepancies in the numeration of these two edi-
tions, but not of suflLicient importance to demand particular
discussion, and the same is the case with the titles. The next
mentioned epigram, 4:3 in one, or 42 in the other, is, by Far-
nabius, entitled, Amicz's esse donandum; by the Bipont editors,
Amicz’s quad datur non perire.

 

 
 

 

:' m =..-_..n...-&M~.-.

 

22 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS’.

gram, is divided into three in the manu—
script : De Fare, De Debitore, De Dispensa—
tore, none of which titles are found in the
editions. Ep. 56 and 57 of Book ix. in the
printed copies, entitled, Ad Flaccum, and
De Splendop/Loro or Spendophoro, are united
in the manuscript, ad Flaccum ; and the
four, 59, 60, 61, 6Q, entitled, Ad Nympham,
In JVIamurram, De Corona Based, De Plaid—
no Cordubensz', form only one, Ad lVy-mpham,
in the manuscript. 0n the other hand,
the printed epigrams of the tenth book are
considerably more numerous, and also dif—
ferently arranged from those in the manu—
script. In the latter, there is a total hiatus
between 57 and 72 ; and the last two lines
of 56, published by commentators, are like—
Wise wanting.

There are introductions to some books
of the manuscript : that of the first is very
nearly the same with What appears in the
common editions; but the second, begin—
ning, “ Ter centena quidem, poteras epi—
grammata,” has none. An introduction

. _...._.___ .__ .._ __ .r. _ a -‘ = ._»“xrm'\‘ .. » I ‘.~ a:

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 23

commences the eighth book; that of the
ninth is wanting. N0 copy of Martial’s
Epigrams is known with introductions to
every book; therefore it yet remains uncer—
tain Whether they had such originally. On
the whole, it may safely be remarked, that,
although this manuscript contains some-
what less than the fullest editions, it must
be esteemed one of the most copious col—
lections of the epigrams of Martial hitherto
discovered of undoubted antiquity; nay,
there are few Roman classics so old, which
are not more imperfect: and many. of the
' manuscripts Which have afforded materials
for the largest editions of celebrated au—
thors, do not approach Within several cen-
turies of that now described.

The orthography of the manuscript is, in
instances innumerable, very different from
What is presented in modern copies of the
classics, and What we are taught to receive
as the most polished language of ancient
Rome. But it is not thence to be inferred,
that the manuscript is always right ; on

 
 

 

 

 

 

244 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

the contrary, although exhibiting a genu—
ine specimen of antiquity, it abounds in pals
pable, singular, and inexplicable errors, and
betrays all the imperfections incident to its
aera. No ancient manuscript is divested
of them». In one of the most precious re-
lics of antiquity, the Vatican Virgil, incon-
sistencies are seen in every line; but it may
confidently be repeated, that the greatest
sources of difficulty or ambiguity, in inter-
preting both the works of Martial and of
other authors, spring from the incorrectness
of successive transcripts. Nor, on due consi-
deration, can we expect the reverse—It was
not in the earlier ages, nor indeed for long
afterwards, that settled rules of orthography
Were laid down as at this day, that punctuae
tion, capitals, orparagraphs, aided the sense,
and facilitated the explanation of doubtful
passages. The orthography of a word was
frequently altered in the course of a page;
proper names were written in small let—
ter; and words, not sentences, discriminated
bythe interposition of points. Nay, a whole

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 25

history was continued Without interruption
from beginning to end. To ordinary rea—
ders, prose and verse are equally unintel~
ligible : the former, from the union of
words, or the irregular separation of their
parts ; the latter, from being written in con-
tinuous sentences like prose, and the last
syllables of a stanza often forming the com—
mencement of a line. We must not judge
these irregularities as peculiarly charactera
ising manuscripts subsequent to the over-
throw of the Roman empire; for while Rome
flourished most in power and learning, they
were equally conspicuous. One letter is
substituted for another, in coins or other
inscriptions extant: some are superfluous,
and some defective. Perhaps, were the
original manuscripts of Caesar, Livy, or Sal'—
lust preserved, they would scarce be intel—
ligible to the modems, from the material
change which the orthography of the La-
tin language has undergone; and it should
carefully be kept in remembrance, that the
uniformity shewn in the publication of edi-

 

 
 

26 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

tors, is by no means contained in the origi»—
nals, but the result of common consent
among men who lived long after such ori—
ginals were written. Quinctilian observes,
that Virgil’s love of the antique, induced
him to write aulai and pictai for aulce and
pictae; that Cato wrote dicem and fdciem
for dicam and faciam; and, as he learned
from Pedianus, who was a cotemporary of
his own, ii Livy used sibe and guase for MM
and quasi. Nor has the irregular ortho—
graphy of Cicero himself escaped remark.
The same author speaks of the mutation of
letters, and the duplication of vowels and
consonants, as frequent. Wherever written
examples are wanting, the arbitrary into—
nation of vowels will affect the regularity
of orthography. Perhaps an acute musical
ear can distinguish an hundred different
intonations in the first letter of the English
alphabet, as employed in oratory, interjecu
tions, and the various provincial dialects. In

 

" Both lived in the reign of Nero.

 

 

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 27

every age, the greatest anxiety for posses—
sing books, has prevailed among men of taste
and learning: and missions have been Sent
bythe sovereigns of various states into other
countries, for the purpose of procuring ma—
nuscripts, andreporting what was there. Yet
writings of acknowledged purity must have
been of difficult acquisition by individuals,
and their rarity and price must have been
a powerful obstacle to any but the most af-
fluent attaining them. How wonderfully
are our facilities increased ! A single private
person has collected above 450 editions of
Horace alone, and a foreign prince has
amassed together 8000 different editions
of the Bible. But notwithstanding the
ready access to all literary performances
which printing affords, many points in the
orthography of our own language are very
far from being settled, and remountin g a few
centuries higher, we shall find every one
adopting that orthography most suitable to
his taste and fancy.

In the manuscript of Martial’s Epigrams,

,. 79:71.; a . . .‘ a... : - ,.,,,.f.,¢3.,,m, Lgm’y-flryr. :7~.¢,mmr.~»~—v.‘ my». ., .. . H

 
 

£28 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

b and v are, in some instances, used indis-
criminately; I; is often mute or superflu—
ous; t is substituted for cl ; g for c, u for o,
and 2' for e. Thus we read, quitquit for
Quidguid ; salmagis for salmacz's; ubscurent and
aedz'puden for obscurent and (Bdipoden ; arden—
tz's for ardentes. The letters i and l, espe—
cially when initial, are indistinct; and the
use of K is very confused and indefinite:
Epigrams are inscribed, ad C/Lloen, or ad
Kloen. .P/L and F are adopted indiscrimi-
nately, as Philem' or Fllenl. In different
passages, we see Pllzllis and Pgllis, and Mel—

 

phomene for Melpomene. Between a vowel
and s, n is frequently interposed, as Atlans,
quotiens, for Atlas, quotles. This last is,
by some modern grammarians, esteemed
the most correct orthography; and it is
well known, that col has supplanted con, and
inlustris is now converted to illusms. But
similar alterations belong to remote anti-
quity. Quinctilian observes, “ from the
affinity of d and t, it is not surprising that,

 

in the ancient edifices of our city, and in

 

 

 

, ,. -~ 1 »,,.». .- , ,, “x ,, ~-; \ : we,” H. M. 4. ~ - r» . ( ~ .«f
V L».w_...-,_....4:.-t—. v» V___%'.,._._,~‘ < :__~ ‘77,. _« -, .-_,_.;_ ‘ " 22.1...” ‘0‘. ;,.'_’.___:_‘n$r»‘_an ;- b»;.—(.. A ,

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 29

celebrated temples, ALEXANTER and CAS-
SANTRA are read for ALEXANDER and CAS—
SANDRA.” Lib. i. cap. 4. O and U, he con-
tinues, are adopted reciprocally: Hecoba,
N otrim, Cale/tides, and Pulyxena, are written
H ecuba, qutrix, Colchides, and Polyxena ;
and Mrenerva, leber, for Illinervajiber. These
remarks evince, that orthography has al—
ways depended on arbitrary principles.
How can it be otherwise, when we are told
that Europeans, even those possessing an
acute ear, are utterly incapable of articula—
ting the sounds of some eastern languages.
Examples of Quinctilian’s observations will
appear in the following quotations ; and
while they prove the antiquity of the ma—
nuscript, they also teach the necessity of
the most scrupulous collation, before pro—
nouncing on the incorrectness of question—
able passages.

Innumerable. differences appear between
the substance of the manuscript and print-
ed editions, though not always such as to
affect the sense. Many of them are slight

.~.-m«.'..,. ham, “"5"” ¢:»m.<«.— new ‘ _w«-‘~‘~~ ' * M: > "“

 

 

 
 

30 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

and unimportant; and though a consider:
able portion may be right, and restore the
original reading, many are obviously wrong.
To discuss all the‘varieties would protract
these animadversions infinitely too far, and
involve a tedious critical disquisition: but
a few examples may be selected, which will
prove the general tenor and character of
the manuscript.

Almost the whole epigrams of the printed
editions, addressed ad Caecz'lz'anmn, stand in
the manuscript ad Ceditz'anum, except Ep.
52. lib. viii. which is alike in both, being
ad Ceditz'anum. Epigram 6. lib. i. which is
printed de Leone Ccesam's, is, in the manu—
script, de Aquila et Puero. Epigram 11. of
the same book, printed dc Gemello et Maro-
m'lla, is written ([6 Venusto ct ZVIarom'lla. Epi-
gram 47. ad Hedylum, or Edilam, is, in the
manuscript, ad H edylen : and thus with respect
to others. Doubts are entertained whether
Martial himself composed the titles of his
Epigrams: it is not improbable that he did

 

 

 

, .4: , :. I": ,,,.M.4.._a_~._.;,-,_z A“ ,;,; .n._;_.u._.~,_._;._.. “ - _-;. «~ ~ we; ~ -:~ - ~ »‘.-‘~'¢.,A_;;;.....‘..,.i .. , ‘_ f“ , ,,‘

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 81

so, as some, were they wanting, would be
altogether unintelligible. '

It is more essential to bring into View
the varieties and discrepancies found in the
substance of the manuscript. Most of
these, nevertheless, leave the reader in
ambiguity concerning their force and accu-
racy: some admit of explicit interpreta-
tion, and a great number of passages are
indisputably erroneous.

DE PORCIA.
Conjugis audisset fatum cum Porcia Bruti,
Et subtracta sibi quaei‘eret arma dolor,
Nondum scitis ait, mortem non posse negari?
Credideram satis hoc docuisse patrem.
Dixit, ct ardentis avido bibit ore favillas,
1 nunc et ferrum turba molestia mega.

MS. Lib. 1. Ep. 43.

In common editions, the fourth and sixth
lines are printed,

Credideram satis hoc v08 docuisse patrem

I nunc et ferrum turba molesta nega,

and fatis is sometimes printed for satis. But
the niaiIuSCript probably contains the true

 
 

32 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

reading, except in the last line, where it is
questionable. Porcia, the subject of this
epigram, we learn from the ancients, was
daughter of the celebrated Cato of Utica,
who fell by his own sword. She was first
married to Bibulus, the colleague of Julius
Caesar in the Roman consulate, and by
him had two sons. Bibulus predeceased
her, and Brutus, the nephew of Cato, then
divorced his own wife, that he might ob-
tain her hand. This was not a popular
act, nor did it escape censure: the wife of
Brutus enjoyed an unblemished reputa-
tion, and Porcia had passed the prime of
life. Brutus could find no apology for an
unjust repudiation, but his consanguinity to
Porcia, which was not deemed enough.
Valerius Maximus celebrates her as a wo-
man endowed with masculine resolution;
and, to convince her husband that she pos-
sessed sufficient fortitude to entitle her to
be entrusted with his secrets, deeply wound—
ed herself with a razor, on the day subse—
quent to Caesar’s assassination. But the

 

 

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 83

close of her existence, as related in the _
Epigram, is that which has chiefly preser—
ved the remembrance of Porcia, as exhi—
biting an irresistible token of conjugal at-
tachment. Brutus, at the head of an ar—
my, having suffered a total defeat in the
plains of Philippi, sought a voluntary death;
and is said to have died by the same sword
with which he slew Caesar. Porcia, on
learning his fate, also resolved on self—de—
struction; but, unable to procure a lethal
weapon, and determined on the deed, suf—
focated herself, by swallowing live embers.
Such is common report, which, though cor—
roborated by more than one author of ore—
dibility, we may reasonably hear with dis:
trust; especially on reflecting, that when
traditions, however slenderly supported,
once appear in verse, they are thencefor-
ward confidently receiVed as true. It is
inferred by others among the ancients, that
Porcia died of a lingering illness at Rome,
long anterior to the battle of Philippi; and

C

. "N "2....”m .

 

 
 

 

 

 

34: MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMSa

a letter of condolence from Cicero to Bru—
tus, which is yet extant, is supposed rela-
tive to her death.

The forty-eighth Epigram of the ninth
book disagrees with all the editions con-
sulted by the author of these pages. There
it is generally numbered the fifty—second.

AD LUCANUM.

Quod semp‘er superos invito fratre rogasti
Hoc Lucane tibi contigit ante mori.
Invidet ille tibi, Stggz'as modo mptus ad umbms
Optabat, quamvis sit minor, ire prior.
Tu colis Elysios, nemorisquae habitator amoeni
Esse tuo primum nunc sine fratre cupis.
Et si jam nitidis alternis venit ab astris,
Pro Polluce mones Castora ne redeat.
MS. Lib. ix. Ep. 48.

The third line elsewhere is different, be—
ing in these words :

Invidet ille tibi, Stygias 7mm Tullus ad uizdas.

If the manuscript be correct, most likely
the reading in editions may have origina—
ted in a former Epigram, which is to be
ranked as one of the author’s best compo—

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 35

sitions, and is explanatory of the'subject
treated in the latter.

AD LUCANUM ET TULLUM;

Si Lucane tibi, vel si tibi Tulle darentur

Qualia Laedei fata Lacones habent:
Nobilis haec esset pietatis rixa duobus,

Quod pro fratre mollivellet" uterque prior.
Diceret infernas et qui prior isset ad umbras

Vive tuo frater, tempore, Vive meo.

MS. Lib. i. Ep. 37.

A fragment of the history of these two
affectionate brothers is preserved by Pliny
the Younger, who revives before us, all
the passing incidents and anecdotes of his
cotemporaries in Rome. Lucanus and his
brother were adopted by Domitius Afer,
who, notwithstanding his favour for the
children, had obtained the confiscation of
their father’s property. “ But fortune,”
says Pliny, “ seems to have ordained their
opulence, even in opposition to the will of
those by whom they were enriched.” Tul-
lus probably died when advanced in years,
during the reign of Trajan. His Wife, a
woman of birth and reputation, and al-

* Mori vellet.

 
 

 

 

 

36' MARTIAL’S EPIGRAM‘S.

ready the mother of a family, was reproach-
ed with uniting herself with age and infir—
mity. But Tullus, in requital of her care
and assiduity, bequeathed several country
seats and great wealth to her at his de—
cease. While weakness relaxed his joints,
and decaying nature scarce allowed him to
turn himself in bed, he still prayed for a
continuance of that life which he was inca~
pable of enjoying. The riches of Tullus
were very great: he had an extensive gar-
den filled with antique statues; and whole
storehouses full of wealth. Lucanus had
married the daughter of Curtius Manti‘a,
by whom he had a daughter: she was to in—
herit the fortune of her grandfather, only on
condition of her removal from the custody
of her own father, whom he held in abhor-
rence. Both the brothers evidently sur—
vived at the date of the first Epigram; the
death of the second gave occasion to the
last.

The sense of an Epigram on a deformed
woman, is completely at variance in the!

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 3'7

manuscript, and in printed editions. Each
affords a literal interpretation; but that of
the MS. is more satisfactory than the other.

AD EAM QUAE FACIEM FORMONSAM HABET.

F ormonsam faciem nigro medicamine celas,
Sed non formonso corpore ledis aquas:
Ipsarn crcde cleam verbis tibi dicere nostris
Aut operi faciem aut tunicata lava.
MS. Lib. iii. Ep. 3.

The literal interpretation is, “ You con-
ceal a beautiful face by a thick unguent,
while your ugly body soils the waters. But
think that you hear the goddess of the
fountain exclaim, in your own language,
‘ Either cover up your countenance, or
wash off its disguise.” The opinion of some
authors, indeed of the majority of those
Who have considered the Epigram as of ob—
scene import, seems erroneous. In illus—
tration of its meaning, it is to be observed,
that various cosmetics, called medicamz'na,
were used by the females of ancient Rome,
to improve their complexion. One of these
consisted of a thick paste, with which the

 
 

 

 

 

 

38 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

face was wholly covered; and it is not im~
probable, that against this the Epigram is
levelled. Another poet, no less satirical,
reprobates the practice; and both may have
had the inventor in View.

Interea foeda aspectu, ridendaque multo

Pane tumetfacies, aut pinguia Poppaeana

Spirat et hinc miseri viscantur labra mariti.
JUVENAL, Sat. vi. v. 460.

This cosmetic, to which the poet also
alludes in a preceding passage,* was a pre-
paration from asses’ milk, invented by Pop—
paea, the wife of Nero, who entertained
the prevailing prejudice of the skin being
improved by its use. Such an opinion had
the sanction of great authorities; and the
first naturalist of his time does not reject
it, “ . . . . . . . conferre aliquid et candori 1n
mulierum cute existimatur :” And further,
“ . . . . . Cutem facie erugari et tenerescere
et candorem ‘custodire lacte asinino pu-
tant.” Five hundred she asses were daily
milked for a bath to Poppaaa; and, when

* Sat. ii. v. 107,

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 39'

banished from Rome, she carried fifty a—
long with her.* Cosmetics were also used
by effeminate men among the Romansfir
and the people in general sacrificed so
much for gratifying themselves with un-
guents, that they at length came under
the sumptuary laws: Thus, the manu-
script is probably correct, especially when
supported by another sentence of Juvenal:

Tandem aperit vultum, et tectoria prima reponit
Incipit agnosci : Sat. Vi.

The literal interpretation of the printed

editions is not equally satisfactory. There
the Epigram is in these words:

IN MULIEREM DEFORMEM.
F ormosam faciem nigro velamine celas§
Sed non formoso corpore laedis aquas.

 

* “ Poppaea, certe, DomitiiNeronis conjux quingentas secum
per omnia trahens fetas, balnearum etiam solio totum corpus
illa macerabat, extendi quoque cutem credens.” PLINY, Lib.xi.
sec. 96. ; Lib. xxxviii. sec. 50.

+ SUETONIUS in Vit. Cthonis. sec. 12. Quin et faciem ra-
sitare en pane madido linere consuetum.

j. ALEXANDER Geniales Dies. Lib. iii. cap. 2.

§ Some write, velas.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

4+0 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

Ipsam crede Deam verbis tibi dicere nostris,
Aut aperi faciem vel tunicata lava.

Nothing renders the sense complete, ex-
cept reading leva for lava, and even that
alteration leaves difficulties. But a dark
covering may be inferred by velamz'na, as
well as what it is usually interpreted, a veil,
which we know was part of the female at-
tire m the age of Martial; and Tacitus,
the historian, expressly mentions, that one
was wore by the Empress just named,
Poppaea. * .

The dreadful eruption of Mount Vesu—
vius, which, in the year 79, overwhelmed
the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii,
was too remarkable an event, not to impress
those who were in the adjacent regions.
Martial, most probably at the moment
when its disasters were experienced, seems
to have composed an Epigram upon it,

....... “ rarus in publicum egressus: idque velata parte
oris, ne satiaret aspectum vel quia sic decebat.” TACITUS,
Annular, Lib. xiii. c. 45.

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 451

some passages of which, as in the manu—
script, are of doubtful import.

DE VESIO MONTE.

Hinc est pampineis Viridis modo Vesbius umbris
Pracsserat hic madidos nobilis ova lacus,
Haec juga quam Nysc colles plus hac Baccus amavit
Hoc nuper Saturi monte dedere chorus.
Hoc V eneris sedes Lacedemone gratior illi:
Hic locus Herculeo numine clarus erat.
Cuncta jacent flammis et tristi mersa favilla
Nee superi vellent hoc licuisse sibi.
MS. Lib. iv. Ep. 42.
Several points of the heathen mytholo—
gy are illustrated by this Epigram: that
the mountain was consecrated to Bacchus
and Venus ; and that the deification of
Hercules was also there acknowledged.
SUCh is the strict interpretation. of the ma-
nuscript, though the published works of
Martial modify the meaning of these pas—
sages. Satyrs held their revels in the
woods which covered Vesuvius: Bacchus
preferred the mountain to the hills of Ny-
sa, where his worship was performed; and
the fane of Venus here was more favoured
by her, than the shrine devoted to her

adoration in Lacedemon. Truth had aided

. e «An H's-ALI rd—ua‘ V

 
 

 

«~:‘~ w,-

42 MARTIAL’s EPIGRAMS.

the allegory of the poet. Pliny records
the virtues of the vines, with which he says
Vesuvius was covered, and Columella their
abundance. ’* It was by the effects of the
eruption now described, that the former
celebrated author, whose works must ever
remain the admiration of posterity, perish-
ed. An ardent love of science led him to
witness all its fury and devastation, which
proved fatal to himself in the end. 9‘ Pli—
ny being awakened with the motion of the
ground, which shook below him and his at—
tendants, consulted with them, whether it
would be safer to remain in a tottering edi—
fice where they lay, or to expose them—
selves to the burning Cinders which shower-
ed around them. The latter being resol—
ved, they issued forth amidst black and
dismal darkness ; sometimes interrupted by

5“ Pampineiy signifies either the cirri supporting the Vine, or
its interlacing shoots. Peculiar virtues were ascribed to Vine
leaves and twigs; the one in mitigating pains of the head 5
the other in curing tumours. Columella, speaking of grapes,
observes, “ ........ Earum minor vulgo notissima: quippe
Campaniae celeberrimos Vesuvii colles Surretinosque vestit.”

De Re Rusz'z'ca, Lib. iii. cap. 2.

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 43

flashes from the mountain, though every
where else it was day. With their heads
sheltered by pillows against the falling
stones, they sought the shore, to ascertain
whether they might venture on embark-
ation; but the sea was raging and tempes-
tuous. Pliny then stretched himself. on a
cloth spread upon the ground, and twice
called for a draught of water. Meantime,
he was roused by the flames and sulphure-
ous exhalations, which compelled his at-
tendants to speedy flight. He raised him—
self on his feet, supported by two people,
but, respiration being impeded, he immedi-
atelyfell down in a state of insensibility.——
Light did not return until the third day
after his death, when his body was disco-
vered untouched by the fire, without any
visible impression, and in a state more re-
sembling sleep, than privation of exist-
ence?’%

These few examples may suffice to shew

t C. PLINII SECUNDI. Epist. Lib. vi, Ep, 16.

 
 

 

4A4 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

the difference between certain passages in
the manuscript of the twelve books of Epi~
grams, and the editions which are most ac—
cessible. Many others could be selected,
exhibiting the various readings still in a
stronger point of View. The same differ—
ence extends to the two books of Xenia
and Apophoreta, which, engrossing objects
of familiar use and domestic economy,
might, by skilful commentary, be rendered
the most interesting of Martial’s composi—
tions.

It is singular, that the precise distinc-
tion between the Xenia and Apopfloreta,
which are repeatedly mentioned by the an—
cients, should now be obscure. But it is
certain, that both consisted in presents to
friends, guests, or strangers. Probably the
Xenia were given to friends only, while the
Apophoreta were, in the strictest accepta— '
tion, bestowed on guests at the termina-
tion of an entertainment; a custom not al-
together obliterated at this day. Never-—
theless, it must be acknowledged, that no

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 45

definition, even founded on these princi—
ples, is unobjectionable; and that the words
Xenia and Apophoreta are applied indiffer-
ently to donations sent to a distance, or
delivered in public, or at entertainments.-
Xenia, however, are rather to be interpreted
presents in general, and Apophoreta those
to a guest. But the practice was well
known, and Widely extended. It is said
to have been derived from the Greeks,
which opinion would be confirmed by the
manuscript, were not its errors to be taken
in account.

Omnis in hoc ercu Xeniorum turba libello.

MS. Xenia, Ep. 2.

This passage is by others corrected,

' Omnis in hoc gracili Xeniorum turba libello.
According to Vitruvius, the opulent Greeks,
after entertaining their guests, sent them
rural products “ ..... ideo pictores ea, quae
mittebantur hospitibus, imitantes Xenia ap— »
pellaverint.” it In his Epistles, Pliny the

* VITRUVIUS, lib. vi. cap. 10.

a

 
 

 

 

446 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

Younger draws a distinction between Xe:
nia and gifts or remuneration, in these
words . . . i . “ Quam me juvat quod in cau—
sis agendis non modo pactione, dono, mune—
re, verum etiam Xeniis semper abstinui.” *
Commentators have advanced, also, that
Apophoreta were returned in acknowledge—-
ment of Xenia received; and Lipenius says,
“ Ob similitudinem quam invicem habent,
Xenia annua et Apop/Loreta Januarz'a n0mi~
nari possent. Illa enirn hospitibus hono—
ris et beneficii loco: hmc non nisi Saturna-
libus Romanis missitibantur.” Jr During
the Saturnalia at Rome, when all restraint
was banished, the first day was occupied in
feasting and conviviality, and the last in
the interchange of presents, then unques—
tionably denominated Apop/zoreta. The
magnificent gifts of the Emperor Caligula
are commemorated by his biographer Sue—
tonius, and his profuse extravagance in thus‘

3* PLINY, lib. v. epist. 14.
r MARTIN LIPENIUS, Historia Strenarum,

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. $7

bestowing above L. 16,000 of our money on
a charioteer. Lampridius relates the same
of Heliogabalus, who presented his guests
with eunuchs, horses, chariots, and the
plate which they had used at his entertain.-
ments. it Vespasian, a more worthy cha—
racter, who sought, by benefactions and mo—
deration, to conciliate the regard of his sub-
jects, was particularly attentive to confer
apophoreta on men during the Saturnalia,
and in dispersing them to women during
their festivals called Matronalia, held in the
kalends of March. 1 After an accident,
wherein Domitian, an emperor distinguishc
ed by barbarity, had been instrumental in
the destruction of thousands of lives, he gave
in consolation a nocturnal entertainment

* “ Eunuchos pro apophoretis dedit: dedit quadrigas, equos
stratos, malos, basternas et rhedas: dedit et aureos millenos
et centena pondo argenti ......... Donavit et argentum omne
convivis quod habuit in convivio, et omnem apparatum pocu-
lorum idque saepius.” LAMPRIDIUS in Vita Heliogabali, sec.
21. 29.

'l‘ “ Dabat sicut Saturnalibus viris apophoreta, ita et per ka-
lendas Martii feminis: et tamen ne sic quidem pristinae cupi-
ditatis caruit.” SUETONIUS in Vita Tit. Flav. Vespasiani. v

 
 

 

 

$8 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

to the Roman citizens. This was followed
by one similar, to which the principal sena—
tors and those of equestrian rank were in-
vitedz In the night they were introduced
singly into an apartment, entirely painted
black, and containing furniture of the same
colour. Vacant seats were found ; and,
when each. had taken his place, there was set
down opposite to him a small monumental
column,bearing his own name inscribed, and
supporting a sepulchral lamp. A number
of naked boys, black, like so many demons,
entered, and having danced around the
guests with frightful gesticulations, stood
at their feet. In the next place, a repast,
consisting of such viands as were wont to
be presented at the obsequies of departed
persons, was served up. Profound silence
prevailed among the knights and senators,
while their host entertained them with nar—
ratives of death and tragical events. The
presence of a cruel and despotic prince,
whose hands had been imbrued in the blood
of the innocent, inspired his guests with

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 49

the most lively apprehensions for their safe-
ty: Nor, on viewing the preparations be—
fore them, could they doubt that they were
in anticipation of their destruction. At
length, the entertainment being brought to
a close, they were dismissed in the custody
of guards unknown, instead of their own at-
tendants, who had, in the beginning, been
separated from them. However, they were
conducted home, where, after beginning to
recover from their panic, a message came,
purporting, that certain persons from the
emperor had arrived. All their terrors,
from the knowledge of his sanguinary dis-
position, were revived, for they now dreaded
nothing less than a sentence of death; but,
to their infinite surprise, it was a mark of
the emperor’s munificence which awaited
them, bestowing, in apop/zoreta, the whole
ornaments and utensils which they had
so lately beheld. One received the mo-
numental column, which proved to con-
sist of silver; another the slaves who had
represented demons, here appearing in difl

D

 
 

 

5O MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

ferent colours, and richly attired; and to
some were given baskets of the choicest
delicacies.

Donations of a similar kind were known
in other countries besides Greece and Ita-
ly. Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt we are told,
after entertaining Marc Antony at Tarsus
with varied splendour daily renewed, pre-
' sented him with the golden vessels and pur-
ple carpets which had served for his use;
nor was his numerous train neglected. Some
centuries afterwards, St Ambrose, who died
about the year 397, observes, in his Exhor—
tation to Virgins, that he who was invited to
a feast was accustomed to carry home pre—
sents along with him ; but, for his part, he
had returned from one celebrated at Bo—
logna in honour of the translation of a
martyr, with nothing for them but apoplzo—
rem of sanctity and grace. Among some
Eastern nations, it was lately the custom
at court to present foreign ambassadors
with the gold plate on which they had been

served during their mission; and, in cer-
7

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 51

tain parts of Spain, guests are- still wont to
carry away the more delicate remnants of
a feast. ‘

The perfections and errors in the Xenia
and Apophoreta, in the ancient manuscript,
resemble those already discussed in treat-
ing of the preceding twelve books, and a~
rise from the same sources. Here, like-
wise, it is equally difficult to determine,
whether many discrepant passages are right
or wrong, as may be partly seen among the
following quotations:

LACTUCAE.

Quae cenas cludere lactuca solebat avorum
Domini cur nostram inchoet illa dapes. *

Xem'a, Ep. 13. MS.

This has been printed,

LACTUCA.

Claudere quae cenas lactuca soleba’c avorum
Dic mihi cur nostras inchoat illa dapes.

“‘ Nostras, or dapem.

 
 

 

 

52 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

If the manuscript be preferred, Martial,
which, indeed, may be said of the editions,
supposes himself addressing his guests, or
those to whom his donation is given. It
is necessary to remark, that all these gifts,
which were in reality interchanged among
the Romans, are imaginary with Martial.
Destitute of their substance, he sends their
names to his friends.

Haec licet hospitibus pro munere distica mittas.

The author, in this epigram, alludes to the
Roman mode of entertainment. Lettuce
was always an ingredient; and, in the paint—
ings recovered from Herculaneum, we see
it depicted among other articles constitu—
ting the repast. Pliny the Younger had
served up to each guest at supper, “ a sin-
gle lettuce, three snails, two eggs, and a
cake; with mulsum and snow, Andalusian
olives, gourds, garlic, and a thousand other
delicacies.” " The different virtues ascri~

" PLINY, Lib. i. epist.15.

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 53

bed to lettuce rendered it acceptable;*
formerly it commenced the meal, and it
is first specified among the ingredients of
a supper to which Martial invites Julius
Cerealis; lib. Xi. ep. 53. But Seneca com-
plains of the novelties introduced, whereby
those things that were wont to commence
a repast then closed it.1' The principal
meal of the Romans was towards night,
when they indulged themselves at it, luxu-
riously reclining on couches, viewing pan—
tomimes, or listening to music, in the in-
terval between the successive courses.
Their entertainments were often in the
height of magnificence: the most costly
food was procured, and their beverage con—
sisted of rich and exquisitely flavoured
wines : whence some have maintained, that
the prevalent use of lettuce was to avert
ebriety.

* “ . . . . Est quidem, natura omnibus refrigeratrix, et ideo
mstate gratae stomacho fastidium auferunt: cibique appetentiam
faciunt.” PLINY, Hist. Nat. lib. xix. cap. 38.

Jr “ ut ea quae cludere solent cenas, prima ponantur.”
SENECA, epist. 115.

 
 

 

 

54' MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

Many epigrams, under the appearance of
perfect simplicity to us, are undoubtedly
enigmatical; and even with an intimate
knowledge of antiquity, we find difficulty
in explaining them. Such is the follow-
ing, as in the manuscript and in printed
editions:

PORPHIRIONES;

Nomen habet magni volucris tam parva cicadis
Et nomen prasini purpurionis habet.
Xenia, Ep. 77. MS.
PORPHYRIONES.

Nomen habet magni volucris tam parva gigantis
Et nomen Prasini Porphyrionis habet.
Ep. 78. Editions.

At first sight, this epigram, in either shape,
is unintelligible. The Porphyrio was a
bird esteemed a delicacy by the Romans;
one kind of which frequented Syria, and
another, of inferior quality, was brought
from the Balearic Islesfit The epigram has

* It is not evident what bird, in modern ornithology, is
meant by Porphyrio. Pliny, whom few singularities escaped,
describes it, in different passages, as inhabiting Commagene in

 
{:1
'9’!

MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

thence been interpreted: “ Although the
bird be small, it bears the name of a men-
strous giant; and, notwithstanding its co-
lour be red, it is called after one habited in
green.” Purpureo, or Porphyrio, the son
of Sisyphus, was a giant famed in ancient
story, for his huge size and menacing as—
pect. But it is essential farther to ob-
serve, that when four factions arose to pag
tronize the chariot races, or, rather, the
charioteers who were apparelled in red,
white, blue, and green, at Rome, Nero
had a charioteer named Purpureo of the
faction Prasina, or greenf“ Therefore
there is an enigma under the simplicity of
this epigram, probably relating to the fac—
tion patronised by-the emperor. Contrary
to the propensities of modern times, it was
Syria, and as having a long red bill, and red legs. After
moistening its food in water, he says, its foot was employed
to convey it to its bill. Lib. X. cap. 63, 69 ; lib. Xi. cap. 79.

9* Forcellinus remarks, that Purpureo was a Roman sirname
of the gens Furia ,- and we do find a sentence to that effect in
Livy : -“ Edes duae Jovi eo anno in Capitolio, dedicatae sunt,

V overat L. Furius Purpureo praetor Gallico bello unam, alte-
ram consul.” Lib. XXXV. cap. 41.

 
 

 

 

56 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

not the swiftest horses, or the most skilful
charioteer, that were favoured in the races.
The colour alone had its partizans; and,
at a later period of the empire, contention
ran so high among the factions, as to occa—
sion the sacrifice of many thousand lives.
The difference between the manuscript
and editions of the hundredth and first epi-
gram of the Xenia, has already divided
commentators; which shews the utility of
recurring to the most ancient authority.

GARUM SOCIORUM.

Exspirantis athuc scombri de sanguine primo
Accipe fastosum munere cara garum.
Xenia, Ep. 101. MS.
GARUM SCOMBRORUM.

Expirantis adhuc scombri de sanguine primo
Accipe faecosum munera cam garum.
Ep. 102. Editions.

The subject of the epigram is a fluid of the
highest price, which was obtained from the
intestines of fishes, and used at the tables
of the luxurious Romans. As this costly

 
(n
q

MARTIAL’s EPIGRAMS.

substance was accessible only by the great,
it is probable that the manuscript is cor—
rect. *

There is a wonderful coincidence, on the
whole, between the manuscript and print—
ed Xenia; feW errors appear in the former,
and those that do so are immaterial. The
like remark applies to the Apophoreta;
and, Whatever cause may have contributed
to their greater accuracy, their imperfec-
tions are chiefly those inseparable from
writings of equal antiquity.

Commentators have found the twenty—
tburth of the Apophoreta of difficult interx
pretation: Whether the manuscript will aid
them, must be determined by the learned,

‘ “ Aliud etiam nunc liquoris exquisiti genus, quod Gamm
vocavere, intestinis piscium, caeteris quae abjicienda essent sale
maceratis, ut sit illa putrescentium sanies. Hoc olim conficie-
batur ex pisce, quem Graeci Garon vocant. Nunc e Scombro
pisce laudatissimum in Carthaginis Spartariae caetariis: Socio-
rum id appellatur, singulis millibus nummum permutantibus
congios pene binos: nec liquor ullus pene printer unguenta ma-
jorc in pretio esse coepit, nobilitatis enim gentibus.” PLXNY,
lib. xxxi.

 
 

 

58 MAR'rIAL’s EPIGRAMS.

But decided opinions on topics so obscure
ought to be given with reserve.

ACUS AUREA.

Te nuda ne madida violent bombycina crines
Figat acus tortas sustineatque comes. *
Apophoreta, Ep. 24. MS.

By some editors this is read,

Tenuia ne madidos violent bombycina crines ,-

by others,

Tenia ne madido violet bombycina crines:

but all resort to a constrained interpre-
tation, though the subject is sufficiently
plain. According to the literal words of
the manuscript, a golden bodkin is present—
ed to a female bathing, that she may pin
up her hair, and preserve the attire in
which she is about to array herself from its
humidity. The Acus, or bodkin, was in
common use for that purpose among the

'56 Comas.

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 59

Roman ladies, whose fashions varied as
much as those of nations exposed to a con-
stant influx of strangers. Claudian de-
scribes its application :

Illi multifidos crinis si-nuatur in orbes

Idalia divisus acu.
Lib. ii. carmen 35.

And again,

Ipsa caput distinguit acu.
Lib. viii. car. 6.

Fillets of natural or borrowed tresses
were wore round the head, curled on a
large bodkin; though, at different periods,
we see by the coins of Faustina, by an—
cient statues and paintings, that the fa-
shions exactly resembled those among our—
selves at this day. Bombycina either sig-
nifies a specific part of dress, or a silken
garment in general. Silk did not come in—
to common use before the later era of R0—
man history; and the Emperor Aurelian
is said to have refused a silken robe to his
empress, with these words: “ It is not fit

 
 

 

6O MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

that thread should be balanced by gold.”
By bombycz’na Martial elsewhere seems to
understand silk in general.

Foemineurn lucet sic per bombycina corpus
Calculus in nitida sic numeratur aqua.

Lib. viii. ep. 68.

Two Epigrams on a subject somewhat
analogous have presented equal difficul-
ties, the solution of which is scarcely aided
by the manuscript.

CRINES.

Castiga Teutonicos accedit spuma capillos
Captivis poteris cultior esse cornis.

Apophoreta, Ep. 26. MS.
SAEPO.

Si mutare paras longevos cana capillos
Accipe Mattiacas quo tibi calva pilas.
Ep. 97. MS

 

A pound of silk was then worth its weight in gold. FLAV.
VOPISCUS in Vita Aureliani.—Some of the Caesars first began to
wear silk robes—It is far from being a settled point, that the
substance understood as silk in classical works was actually so.
There is great reason to suppose, that muslin, or some such
transparent substance, is rather meant.

& \un‘fi“ .. ' may...“ .«. »

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. 61

These Epigrams are variously read by
editors: the former, for example,

SAPO.

Cattica Teutonicos accedit spuma capillos
Captivis potezis cultior esse comis.

And the latter,

MATTIACrE FILE.

Si mutare paras longevos cana capillos
Accipe Mattiacas quo tibi calva? pilas.

Here the difference is in the title only;
and, on correcting the substituted letters,
Castiga should probably be Cattz'ca, instead
of Caustica, which has sometimes been an
dopted, because editors overlook what the
earliest authorities would sanction.

Not content with the ornament which
Nature has bestowed, the Romans, like
ourselves, used many expedients to alter
and disfigure it. Both sexes anointed the
hair with grateful perfumes, and ambrosial
odours were reputed to emanate from that
of the deities.

 

 

 
 

 

 

62 MARTIAL’S EPIGBAMS.

Ambrosiaeque comae divinum vertice odorem
Spiravere. VIRGIL, Encid, Lib. 1.
Among others, Propertius speaks of the
practice which was widely diffused.

Quid juvat ornato procedere vita capillo

Et tenues Coa veste movere sinus?

Aut quid Orontea crines perfundere myrrhei.

Lib. 1. Eleg. 12.
The hair was also dyed bright yellow,

by means of a wash, or even painted to
change the colour; and, in imitation of
Asiatic fashions, gold dust was employed
to give it greater lustre. Red, however,
was long the favourite colour; for Vale-
rius Maximus asserts, that the ancient Ro-
man women reddened their hair, as a great-
er embellishment to their charms. i" It is
singular, that a taste the very reverse should
prevail in Britain; and that what was so
pleasing to the Romans, should rather be
disliked by us. This custom was derived

........ “ et quo formam concinniorem efficerent, sum-
ma cum diligentia capillos cinere rutilérunt.” VALERIUS MAX’
mus, Lib. ii. cap. 1. § 5.

 

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. ‘63
from the Germans, who prepared unguents
to effect it, from a mixture of goat’s tal-
low and beechwood ashes. But the hair of
that people was naturally red, a character-
istic imparted to their descendants. Mar-
tial, therefore, while he reproaches his fel—
low citizens for dyeing their hair with a
German unguent, recommends adopting
the red hair itself, since they derive such
satisfaction from the colour. it His words
are well illustrated by a passage in Ovid :

N unc tibi captives mittit Germania crines
Culta triumphatae munere gentis eris.
Lib. i. Amorum, Eleg. 14.

Martial, likewise, in his eighth book,
throws further light on both the Epigrams.

* Tacitus subscribes to that opinion, which esteemed the
Germans a separate and distinct race of men, unmixed with
neighbouring nations: “ ....... truces et coerulei oculi, mtilaz
comm, magna corpora et tantum ad impetum valida :” De situ
- moribus et populis Germaniae, cap. 4. And further, “ . . . . rua
tilae Caledoniam habitantium comae, magni artus Germani—
cum originem adseverant.” In V ila Agricoloe, cap. 1]..

 
 

 

54: MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMSJ

Et mutat Latias spuma Batava comas.
Lib. viii. Ep. 23.
Mattiacum has thence been correctly

supposed a town belonging to the Catti, a
race of ancient Germans, from whom the
Batavians sprung, and probably preserved
unequivocal marks of their descent.

At tu transcendens Germanice facta tuorum

Jam puer auricomo performidate Batavo.
SILIUS ITALICUS, Lib. iii. *

The real meaning of the eighty—sixth
Epigram of the Apophoreta has been keen-
ly contested; and here the manuscript dif-
fers from all the different editions which
have been consulted in elucidation of the
truth. But owing to the extreme ambi-
guity in which most of this author’s works
are involved, it proves of little assistance.

EPHPPIUM.

Stragula succincti venator sume veredi
Nam solet a nudo surgere pews equo.

Apoplzoreia, Ep. 85. MS

 

“ Batavi, Cattorum quondam populus. . . . . . . Est
’ TACITUS,

in codvm ohsequio ct Mattiacorum geiis’

 

a baummncfl . ‘ ”\Mai ~-
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. "65

This Epigram, whiCh finds a place in all
copies of the Apophoreta, is printed,

EPHIPPIUM.
Stragula succincti venator sume veredi,
Nam solet a nudo surgereficus equo.

But the word pecus, which is the source
of the obscurity, appears in various editions, ,
pectus, vicus, fleas, and consequently re-
ceives interpretations altogether opposite.
The two latter are usually explained a dis-
ease, to which horses in harness are sub-
ject. In the age of Martial, however, it is
probable, that horses had scarce any har—
ness, at least horses of that description
to which the Epigram applies. Ep/szpimn
signifies a covering for the back of a horse,
which, at first small and simple, was gra-
dually enlarged, so as to hang over the
' flanks in richly ornamented cloths, called
housings. Therefore, the poet, in derision
of embroidered housings, may possibly de—
sign to say, “ Huntsman, free your steed
of his trappings, for the breed is perpetu-

E

 
‘*~»\:_......, “1“ \

 

66 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

ated without them ;” which is synonymous
, With reminding us, that the offspring par—
takes of its‘parent’s nature only, and de—
, rives nothing from artificial decoration.
It is not evident, that saddles were known
to the Romans when Martial wrote : at an
earlier age, it was deemed more masculine
to ride without a saddle. Varro boasts of
having done so, wanting one, in his youth.*
During the reign of Alexander Severus,
proper attention was paid towards providing
suitable housings for the Roman cavalry-f
Yet, so little was the construction of the
most important part of equestrian appurte—
nances understood, that a law of the Theo-
dosian code enjoined reduction of the
weight of post-horse saddles, from 60 pounds
to 35.

’ “ Mihi puero modica fuit una tunica et toga sine fasceis
calciamenti: equus sine ephippio.” NONIUS MARCELLINUS
de Proprietate Verborum.

'f “ Jam vero ipsi milites juvenem imperatorem sic amn.
bant ut fi'atrem, ut filium, ut parentem: vestiti honesti, cal.
ciati etiam ad decorem, armati nobiliter, equis etiam instructi,
et ephippiis ac frenis decentibus prorsus, ut Romanam Rem-
pu‘blicam intelligeret quicunque Alexandri Vidisset exercitum."
LAMPRIDIUS in vita Alcxandri Severi, Sec. 51.

 
MARTIAL'S EPIGRAMS. 67

Our knowledge of Roman antiquities is
too imperfect, to illustrate an epigram soon
after the one above quoted; for the sub— .
ject of it is hardly to be found in any other
work composed by the ancients. All that
can be said is, that the Epigram relates to
an implement designed to ascertain the eX~
tent of a loan or engagement; and that it
was so constructed, as to betray any fraud
of the party bound to performance.

QUINQUAEPEDAL.

Puncta nota silex et acute cuspide clusa
Saepe redemptoris prodere furta solet.
Apophoreta, Ep. 90. MS.

QUINCUPEDAL.
Puncta notis ilex et acute cuspide clausa
Saape redemptoris prodere furta solet.
Ep. 92. Editions.

As several reasons might be advanced
against the reading of the former, the pre-
ference in this instance is rather to be given
to the printed copies, as well as in the fol—
lowing Epigram, which is one that has re-

 
 

6‘8 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

peatedly afforded scope for ingenious re
search and commentary.

LANCES CHRYSENDETAE.

Grandia ne viola parvo chrysendetea mulso
Ut minimum dicas libras habere duas.
Apophoreta, Ep. 95. MS.

Commentators who read mullo for mulso
are probably right; for it is unlikely that
Martial should pass any animadversions on
the mode in which the Romans kept their
beverage mulsumzii unless it were to de-
ride the application of costly vessels to a
homely use. In another Epigram he ob-
serves, that the bascaudad' avessel peculiar
to the “painted Britons,” was adopted at
Rome; and adds his counsel not to des—

“’ Mulsum is said to have consisted of wine and water, sweetu
ened with honey; or to have been wine in a stage previous to
fermentation. Sometimes the ancients used it mixed with
snow. SUETONIUS in Vita Domitiani. PLINY, Epist. ad Septi-
tium Clarum. Macrobius quotes a saying of the luxurious:
“ Mulsum quod probe temperes miscendum esse novo Hymeg
tio et Vctulo Falerno.” Lib. Vii. cap. 12.

'l‘ BASCAUDA,

Barbara de pictis venit bascauda BritaniS,
Sed me jam mavolt dicere Roma tuam.
Apopkoreta, Ep. 98. MS.

Thus J UVENAL, ‘

Adde et bascaudas et mille escaria. Sat. xii.

 

 
MARTIAL’S’EPIGRAMS. .69

pise earthen ware, which had been accep—
table even to royalty itself. But what-
ever was his admiration of these humble
utensils, Lances Chrysendetw were expen-
sive vessels, in the formation of which gold
was employed. Nevertheless, authors dis—
agree on their substance and composition:
Some conceive they were studded with
gems, or incrusted with gold; others that
they were bound or encircled by it; and
some, whose opinion seems to rest on the
soundest foundation, maintain, that they
were decorated with gilding.* The word
lances signifies large vessels or plates. Thus,

Curvet aper lances. HORATIUS, Sat. ii.

Mullets were kept alive for pleasure by
the Romans, in the same way as we pre-
serve gold and silver fish: they were he—
sides an article of the greatest delicacy,
and bore an extravagant price. Sea water

* TURNEBUS, Adversaria, Lib. xiv. cap. 5.—RADERUS, Edit.
Mart. Ep. p. 939.-—FORCELLINUS Lexicon, “ A kind of vessel
or plate for bringing food to table, called C/nysendeton, from
being bound or ornamented with gold."

 

 
 

'70 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

was carried to Rome for them, as Martial
insinuates in a preceding Epigram:

MULLI VIVI.

Spirat in advecto, set jam piger equore nullus
Languescit: vivum da mare, fortis erit.

Xenia, Ep. 79. MS.

. The poet, therefore, means above, “if
you will keep mullets in such costly ves-
sels, at least be able to say they weigh two 7
pounds.” The mullet seems to have been
prized exactly in proportion to its weight,
and there is very frequent reference to the
mullus bilibm's, in token. of excellence, by
the ancients. Perhaps it was difficult to
procure them as large : Pliny says the mul;
let seldom exceeded two pounds; though
.Macrobius observes, that in his time, those
of greater weight were quite commonfl‘
From the immoderate price of this fish a
proverb was current, that in Rome 3. mul-
let was worth more than an ox : and there
is a severe satire by Martial against the

" Saturnalia, Lib. ii. cap. 12,

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS. ’7 1

cost of one of them, which, if not exagge—
rated, shews the profuseness of the citizens.

Addixti servum nummis here mille ducentis
Ut bene coenares Calliodore scmel;

Nec bene coenasti: mullus tibi quatuor emptus
Librarum, coma: pompa caputquc fuit.
Exclamare libet non est hoc, improbe, non est
Piscis homo est: liominem Calliodore voras.

Lib. x. Ep. 31. Edit.

That is, Calliodorus had sold a slave for
twelve hundred pieces of silver to enjoy
one good supper, and he bought a mullet of
four pounds weight. But instead of a fish,
the profligate might be charged with devour-
ing a manfil‘ Yet Apicius and Asinius Celer

L were still more lavish. The Romans were
accustomed to weigh their mullets alive at
table; and it was a great amusement to
view the changeable colours of the ex-
piring animal. Thus did Apicius enter—
tain his guests with mullets in glass ves-

‘* Martial says, ‘

Nunc ut emam grandemve lupum mullumve trilibrem.
Lib. Xi. Epig. 50.

[And Horace,

........ Laudas insane, trilibrem

Mullum. , Lib. ii. Sat. 2.

-V,_...‘Vv_g a.» » .. v. ,, ., as.

 
 

v-«ms qu-w—m

«;V..m.w._,..r__ . , .

'72 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

sels; and Seneca gives a vivid description
of the successive shades exhibited by Ian-
guishing life. “ Parum videtur recens mul—
lus nisi qui in convivae manu moritur. Vi—
treis ollis inclusi offeruntur et observatur
morientium color, quam in multas muta—
tiones mors luctante spiritu vertit. . . . .
Permitte mihi questione seposita castigare
luxuriam. Nihil est, inquis, formosior mullo
expirante. Ipsa colluctatione aminam a-
genti rubor, primum, deinde pallor suffun—
ditur, quam aeque et incerta facies inter
vitam et mortem coloris estflt

The correctness of an epigram on the
works of Propertius may be doubted, un-
less an analogy between them and the sa-
tires of J uvenal be intended, which is too
constrained an interpretation.

MONOBYBLOS PROPERTI.

Cynthia facundi carmen juvenale properti
Accepit famam, nec minus ipsa dedit.
Apophorem, Ep. 186. MS.

 

Natm‘w Questiones. Lib. iii. cap. 18. Edit. 1613. p. 871.

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS'Q 73

The difference of a single letter here
might afford an opportunity for some dis-
cussion, were minute investigations neces-
sary.

PROPERTIUS.

Cynthia facundi carmen juvenile Properti
Accepit famam, nec minus ipsa dedit.
Ep. 189. Editions.
Probably nothing more is meant than to
praise the poem of Propertius, which, in
giving celebrity, receives it from Cynthia’s
name.

Numerous other passages unequivocally
demonstrate the estimation of the same
classical works in the age of Martial, which
are so highly valued in our own aera.
Among the authors named are, Homer,
Livy, Sallust, Virgil, and Ovid. But what
relates to them is almost invariably invol—
ved in the same obscurity which pervades
other parts of Martial’s writings. He ob-
serves of Virgil : ‘

VERGILIUS IN MEMBRAN.

Quam brevis immensum coepit membrane. Maroncm:
Ipsius Vultus prima tabella gerit.
Apopkoreta, Ep. 183. MS.

 
 

744 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

Though simple in appearancie, the interpre~
tation of these words is far from obvious.
Does the poet mean that the parchment
contained a long poem on the works of a
great author? Are we to understand that
the first page displayed his genius, or exhi—
bited his portrait? If the latter be true, there
is much reason to presume that the Romans
were not unacquainted with distributing li-
terary compositions in the more commodi-
ous form of books, though their ordinary
mode of writing might be in rolls. Sueto—
nius remarks in the life of Caesar, that
none before'him wrote letters in pages to
the Senate: and the next. epigram affords
still stronger evidence of books being known.
Taking the most simple explanation of the
epigram, this present consisted of Virgil’s
works in a minute character, embellished
with his portrait.

Of Livy, the Roman historian, Martial
says,

TITI LIVIUS IN MEMBRAN.

Pellibus exiguis artatur Livius ingens
Quem inea non tutum bibliotheca capit.

Apoplzoreta, Ep. 187. MS.

 
MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS; ’75

There is the same ambiguity, Whether any
thing more be inferred than the reduction
of Livy’s works into small compass, by using
a minute character on leaves. But an epi—
gram on Ovid’s Metamorphoses seems (lis—
tinctly to specify a volume. I

OVIDIUS METAMORPH.

Haec tibi multiplici quae structa massa tabella
Carmina Nasonis quinque decemque gerit.

Apoplzoreta, Ep. 189. MS.

Were the remaining peculiarities of the
manuscript, and suitable illustrations sub-
joined, these remarks would swell into a
large volume. Enough has, perhaps, been
said to corroborate the doubts of those
questioning, Whether a correct and perfect
copy of Martial’s works has yet appeared.
It may never be deemed of sufficient im—
portance, indeed, that such a copy should
reach the public. Commentators will rea—
sonably dread the necessary labour of col—
lation; and the majority of classical readers,
indulging the natural disposition of man—

 
 

76 MARTIAL’S EPIGRAMS.

kind, will remain satisfied with the matter
already in their possession. But should it
prove otherwise at some future period, and
should a genuine edition of Martial’s Epi—
grams be desired, the manuscript on which
this Tract has been employed will, in no
inconsiderable degree, facilitate the under-
taking.

 
‘77

EXPLANATION

OF

THE ENGRAVING.

“”10““

M. VALERI MARTIAL EPIGRAMMATON LI—
BER X EXPLICIT. INCIPIT LIBER XI

FELICITER.

AD LIBELLUM SUUM.

Quo tu, quo liber otiose tendis,
Cultus Sidone non cotidiana
Numquid Parthenium videre certe P
Vadas et redeas in evo volutus.

This part of the manuscript was selected
from exhibiting all the varieties of writing,
and the stile of punctuation immediately in
succession. Throughout the volume, the
capitals are nearly uniform; but the small
letter is larger in several parts, better exe—
cuted, and more distinct than in the speci‘
men; though the complexity and difficulty
are greater from the union of words, or the
separation of their parts. Here the last
line seems to restore the true reading,
wherein the poet affects to complain that
his works were never opened. '

 
 

'78

ANALYTICAL INDEX.

“wfimnw

Page.
Introductory observations - — — - - 1
Preservation of classical works - — - - 3
Few persons are qualified for judging of antiquities - 5
Imperfections abound in manuscripts of genuine antiquity 6
Ancient manuscript of Martial’s Epigrams — - 7
Biography of the author - — - . .. 8
His writings are obscure - - - - - 12
Peculiarities of the manuscript - — - - 13
Its probable aera -‘ - - - - - - 16
Contents - ~ - - - .. .. - 1 8
Variable orthography of successive ages - .- .. 23
The manuscript is different from editions - . 29
Epigrams - - - — - - - - 31
Anecdotes illustrating various epigrams - .. .. 32
Xenia and. Apophoreta of the ancients - - - 1%
Xenia in the manuscript - - - - - 51
Illustrations - - , - - - - - 52
Apophoreta in the manuscript - - — - 57
Illustrations - - - - - - - 58
Classical works were valued in the age of Martial - '73
Conclusion - - - - - ~ - 7 5
Explanation of a fac simile of the manuscript ~ - 7 7

F IN IS.

EDINBURGH :
Printed by A. Balfour.
Nov. 1811.

 
 
 

 
 
 

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t,
A

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