He was a member of a poet's club at Rome, which
included several Spaniards ; one of the most popular
was Canius Rufus of Gades, a witty raconteur always
full of high spirits, of whom Martial says that, though
Ulysses may have deserted the Sirens, ' what would
surprise me would be that he should leave Canius
behind.' Decianus of Emerita was a poet, Greek
scholar, and stoic; Maternus of Bilbilis a knight and
orator, who neglected Martial when he became rich.
Valerius Licinianus was a lawj'er of note ; and Lucius
of Bilbilis, a poet, is invited to celebrate their native
town, ' excelling,' Martial says, ' in cruel iron, engirt
by the Salo that tempers the sword.' ^

Martial's epigrams cover a great variety of subjects.
Many are deeply pathetic, with that dwelling on the
idea of death which was characteristic of ancient Spain.
Others are amusing vers de socidte, of but transitory'
interest. Others display the satiric vein, the biting
humour which marks many Spanish writers, such as
Juan Ruiz, archpriest of Hita, in his satire on the proud
and poverty-stricken nobles, the corrupt priests, and
dishonest servants of the middle ages. Coarse and
servile though Martial undoubtedly is, these qualities
are partly redeemed by the recognition, never long con-
cealed, of the hollowness and artificiality of city life, and
the desire to refresh himself, if not in his native village,
at least in a rural part of Italy. At last, after over
thirty years of the enervating and embittering life of
Rome, he returns to Bilbilis, and, through the generosity

' IV. ss.
170 His Later Years in Spain

of a lady admirer, Marcella, receives a small estate which
enables him to be independent for his few remaining
years.
