My paper focuses on Martial’s epigrams dedicated to patrons out of Rome, either on holidays or on business. The texts do not follow a regular pattern through the corpus: specifically, the ‘periphery of work’-theme is only discussed starting from the sixth book, while in the tenth book the ‘peripheries of the patrons’-themes are much more frequently encountered, also in relation to the announcement of Martial’s return to Celtiberia. Overall, the resulting portrait is that of an upper class divided between otium and negotium, who want both these issues treated in the homage texts. The representation of his patrons, on vacation or at work, allows Martial to focus on his intellectual and social position in the Flavian world.