full name Marcus Valerius Martialis. ?40–?104 ad, Latin epigrammatist and poet, born in Spain
Word Origin and History for martial
adj.
late 14c., "warlike," from Latin martialis "of Mars or war," from Mars (genitive Martis), Roman god of war; see Mars. Related: Martially. Martial law, "military rule over civilians," first recorded 1530s.