Martialis, Epigrammata 3.68: the inappropriateness of women seeing naked athletes

Martialis, Epigrammata 3.68: the inappropriateness of women seeing naked athletes

40 - 103/4 CE

Epigram

Literary source

Thus far this book is written entirely for you, chaste matron. Do you ask for whom the sequel is written? For myself. The gymnasium, the warm baths, the race-course, are here; you must retire. We lay aside our garments; spare yourself the sight of us in that state. Here at last, after her wine and crowns of roses, Terpsichore is intoxicated, and, laying aside all restraint, knows not what she says. She names no longer in doubtful guise, but openly, that deity whom triumphant Venus welcomes to her temple in the sixth month of the year; whom the bailiff stations as protector in the midst of his garden, and at whom all modest maidens gaze with hand before the face. If I know you well, you were laying down the long book from weariness; now you will read diligently to the end.

Henry G. Bohn, Martial, Epigrams, Book 3, London 1897.

Huc est usque tibi scriptus, matrona, libellus.
Cui sint scripta, rogas, interiora? mihi.
Gymnasium, thermae, stadium est hac parte: recede.
Exuimur: nudos parce videre viros.
Hinc iam deposito post vina rosasque pudore,
Quid dicat, nescit saucia Terpsichore:
Schemate nec dubio, sed aperte nominat illam,
Quam recipit sexto mense superba Venus,
Custodem medio statuit quam vilicus horto,
Opposita spectat quam proba virgo manu.
Si bene te novi, longum iam lassa libellum
Ponebas, totum nunc studiosa leges.

Wilhelm Heraeus/Jacobus Borovskij (eds.), Martialis, Epigrammaton libri, Leipzig 1925.