After Fame: The Epigrams of Martial

After Fame is an ambitious and resonant engagement with the epigrams of the Roman poet Martial, testing the notion of plagiarism through the figure of a distracted scribe who presents a copy of Martial's famous Book I. These 118 poems cover timeless themes, and are increasingly interrupted by reflections on authorship, technology, cultural complicity, and the privileged, mediating role of the poet. It challenges the integrity of such categories and dramatises the obscurity of its source while insisting on its contemporary relevance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 02 April 2020
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Welcome to After Fame, an ambitious and profound exploration of the epigrams of the Roman poet Martial, marking the culmination of Sam Riviere's process-derived artistic trilogy. It is worth noting that Martial was the pioneer who introduced the term "plagiarism" in its modern sense, as a form of literary theft. In this captivating work, the concept is pushed to its limits by featuring a distracted scribe who employs a range of transcription techniques, including machine translation and imaginative embellishment, to present a unique copy of Martial's renowned Book I. Spanning 118 poems, these verses delve into timeless themes such as labor, friendship, public affairs, and sexual mores. As the poems unfold, they are punctuated by contemplations on authorship, technology, cultural complicity, and the privileged, mediating role of the poet—all central concerns of Martial's work that continue to resonate deeply in contemporary times.

After Fame refuses to adhere to strict translation, authentic reproduction, or purely original writing. Instead, it challenges the very boundaries of these categories, emphasizing the obscurity of its source while steadfastly asserting its contemporary relevance. Through its liberated approach, the work vividly portrays the ambiguity of its source, eschewing facile equivalences and insisting on its enduring significance.

Weight: 160g
Dimension: 130 x 199 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571356928
Edition number: Main