Abstract

Going beyond the explicit dialogue between Epistle 3.21, by Pliny on Martial, and Epigram 10.19, by Martial on Pliny, this paper discusses a range of peripheral texts addressing issues of political patronage, social customs, and editorial etiquette. This reconnaissance into the subtler intertextual links uniting Pliny and Martial’s bodies of writing brings to the fore the figure of Regulus--his adversarial relation to Pliny, his display of mourning at his son’s death, and the frantic activity as self-editor--as the deeper connecting element, the embarrassing and yet unavoidable point of reference for both Pliny and Martial in their work as producers of culture.