Martial in cartoons
If you think that political cartoons are a modern invention of the 20th century, then unfortunately you were wrong.
Even in ancient Rome, poets were always anxious to point out mistakes in the system. And they did so with a wink of the eye.
So the basic idea of caricature is not new, but one man has immortalized himself in history books to this day, especially through his biting epigrams.
Martial. A Roman poet who still has many fans today.
His speciality was the writing of epigrams, which often gave a positive impression of a building or a ruler while reading aloud.
However, if you take a closer look at his writings, you will find harsh criticism of the system.
Thus Martial denounces the Roman society, without getting himself on the shooting list of the then rulers. This sense of tact, which enabled him to balance censorship and worship, makes Martial's works incomparable to this day.
The Caricatures
This book gives you a humorous insight into the life of the ancient Romans.
Through various drawings, the old prose is perfectly transferred into today's modernity without appearing ridiculous.
The drawings seem biting, short and concise. As befits a caricature.
In the sense of the old poethen, the human being with all his mistakes, quirks and stupidities is depicted. What actually makes the caricatures seem timeless.
This book is perfect for smiling, brooding and learning.
As a teacher, you can discuss Martial's writings with your students for hours on end. This book also adds a visual appeal to the arguments, making it easier to fuel discussions. How well did the artists R.Spann, A.Winkler and J. Hernández illustrate the original poems? Does the representation match the original poem?
Let this book teach you, surprise and delight you.
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