Who doesn’t love Martial? His epigrams are so timely, his humor and interest in the world about him so obvious that it is a delight to read him. While the pithiness of his language can be challenging, the notes in this edition, available free to CANE members, are are extremely helpful: Selections from Martial’s Epigrams, edited with introduction, notes, and vocabulary by A. Dwight Castro.

The poems are arranged in this edition using the following themes: Friends & Lovers, Patron & Client, Activities & Actors, Joys & Sorrows, City & Country. The themes help clarify the poems, and could be chosen for just a week’s worth of reading, or dipping in to the themes to find what is most interesting to student. The introduction, giving an overview of both his life and the style of poetry, is very helpful for the teacher and the students. And of course, it includes the most famous of his poems:

2. (1.32)
Non amo te, Sabidi, nee possum dicere quare.
Hoc tantum possum dicere: non amo te.

In case you need any help, here is the translation key along with metrical advice.