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Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial
This dissertation has three main aims: firstly, to establish and confirm Martial's status as a client; secondly, to confinn his reliability as an eyewitness in regard to the functioning of patronage in Roman society; and thirdly, to consider the intention behind the epigrams directed toward the empe...
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School of Languages and Literatures
2024
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| _version_ | 1867613253578784768 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Austin, Richard |
| author2 | Wardle, David |
| author_browse | Austin, Richard Wardle, David |
| author_facet | Wardle, David Austin, Richard |
| author_sort | Austin, Richard |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | This dissertation has three main aims: firstly, to establish and confirm Martial's status as a client; secondly, to confinn his reliability as an eyewitness in regard to the functioning of patronage in Roman society; and thirdly, to consider the intention behind the epigrams directed toward the emperor. This study hopes to show that, whilst allowing for the devices which are inherent to poetry, Martial's epigrams do have some merit as brief sketches of the complex social machinery of patronage. Additionally, it will be made evident that the many epigrams dealing with his working relationships with various patrons and benefactors offer ample evidence for the practical origins of his discontent with his own clientage. The essay is divided simply into three related components. Remaining largely in the theoretical realm, the first chapter explores the nebulous workings of patronage, as well as amicitia, a closely related concept. The discussion considers the ideals behind these complex concepts, and their practical functioning in Roman society. A clear understanding of both of these social phenomena is essential so as to lay the necessary groundwork for the more specific examinations of function. By contrast, the second chapter shifts the discussion into the application of such relationships in reality. Thus, the chapter begins by considering whether or not notions of patronage were even applicable to poets. In this section I uphold the argument that poets could in fact become clients, drawing evidence (with caution) from the Epigrams. The question is thus answered by looking at what Martial himself says about clientage and the necessary obligations involved. A contrast may be drawn between Martial's hopes and dreams for his own life, as opposed to the realistic prospects of a client in Rome. Additionally, while Martial has much to say about his own living conditions, any conclusions drawn from his comments must be tempered by considerations of intent. Having acquired an understanding of client life through Martial's eyes, the third chapter begins with an overview of the specific conditions of literary patronage during Domitian' s reign. With the necessary framework in place, I consider the possible function of his epigrams in the context of his pursuit of imperial patronage. Some controversial Vl interpretations of such poems see in them veiled and ambiguous references in regards to Domitian's legislation and his personal behaviour. Consequently, the epigrams concerned are analysed for their possible ironic content, and the implications thereof considered. Finally, some general conclusions are drawn regarding Martial's depiction of the "reality" of patronage, both under the emperor and in Roman society at large. For, it is evident that while his idyllic dream of a poet's life differs significantly from the reality of his life in Rome, his poetry offers an insight into the differing modes of communication between patron and client, and as such constitutes a valuable and under-rated resource for patronage studies. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/40232 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:33:12.104Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publishDateRange | 2024 |
| publishDateSort | 2024 |
| publisher | School of Languages and Literatures |
| publisherStr | School of Languages and Literatures |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/40232 Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial Austin, Richard Wardle, David Classical Studies This dissertation has three main aims: firstly, to establish and confirm Martial's status as a client; secondly, to confinn his reliability as an eyewitness in regard to the functioning of patronage in Roman society; and thirdly, to consider the intention behind the epigrams directed toward the emperor. This study hopes to show that, whilst allowing for the devices which are inherent to poetry, Martial's epigrams do have some merit as brief sketches of the complex social machinery of patronage. Additionally, it will be made evident that the many epigrams dealing with his working relationships with various patrons and benefactors offer ample evidence for the practical origins of his discontent with his own clientage. The essay is divided simply into three related components. Remaining largely in the theoretical realm, the first chapter explores the nebulous workings of patronage, as well as amicitia, a closely related concept. The discussion considers the ideals behind these complex concepts, and their practical functioning in Roman society. A clear understanding of both of these social phenomena is essential so as to lay the necessary groundwork for the more specific examinations of function. By contrast, the second chapter shifts the discussion into the application of such relationships in reality. Thus, the chapter begins by considering whether or not notions of patronage were even applicable to poets. In this section I uphold the argument that poets could in fact become clients, drawing evidence (with caution) from the Epigrams. The question is thus answered by looking at what Martial himself says about clientage and the necessary obligations involved. A contrast may be drawn between Martial's hopes and dreams for his own life, as opposed to the realistic prospects of a client in Rome. Additionally, while Martial has much to say about his own living conditions, any conclusions drawn from his comments must be tempered by considerations of intent. Having acquired an understanding of client life through Martial's eyes, the third chapter begins with an overview of the specific conditions of literary patronage during Domitian' s reign. With the necessary framework in place, I consider the possible function of his epigrams in the context of his pursuit of imperial patronage. Some controversial Vl interpretations of such poems see in them veiled and ambiguous references in regards to Domitian's legislation and his personal behaviour. Consequently, the epigrams concerned are analysed for their possible ironic content, and the implications thereof considered. Finally, some general conclusions are drawn regarding Martial's depiction of the "reality" of patronage, both under the emperor and in Roman society at large. For, it is evident that while his idyllic dream of a poet's life differs significantly from the reality of his life in Rome, his poetry offers an insight into the differing modes of communication between patron and client, and as such constitutes a valuable and under-rated resource for patronage studies. 2024-07-02T10:28:53Z 2024-07-02T10:28:53Z 2005 2024-06-25T13:31:45Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MA http://hdl.handle.net/11427/40232 eng application/pdf School of Languages and Literatures Faculty of Humanities |
| spellingShingle | Classical Studies Austin, Richard Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial |
| title_full | Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial |
| title_fullStr | Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial |
| title_short | Poetry & patronage in the early imperial era : through the eyes of martial |
| title_sort | poetry patronage in the early imperial era through the eyes of martial |
| topic | Classical Studies |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/40232 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT austinrichard poetrypatronageintheearlyimperialerathroughtheeyesofmartial |