The Sixteen Satires

Decimus Junius Juvenalis, known as Juvenal, is one of the greatest satirists and moralists in history. His works, of which sixteen are preserved, are scathing and unapologetic in their presentment of Rome and its citizens. Juvenal is also revered as a social historian for his vivid depictions of Latin life. He wrote his satires between 100 and 127 AD, and although his volumes of poetry were lost for several centuries, his rediscovered works introduced a tradition of satire that has been popular for nearly two thousand years. Juvenal has often been misunderstood, as some critics have denounced him for having disliked everything in his life. However, the poet intended for his works to instruct as much as chastise. In these sixteen works, ranging in size from just over 60 lines to 661 lines, Juvenal deals with such subjects as the wealthy, women, soldiers, the highborn, vanity, greed, extravagance, among others.