The Satyricon by Petronius (Vintage 1960 Illustrated Hardcover)

“The Satyricon” is a Roman novel written by Petronius, a Roman courtier, during the reign of Emperor Nero in the first century CE. The novel is a satirical work that provides a glimpse into the everyday life of ancient Rome and its society.

The story follows the adventures of Encolpius, a young man who is traveling through southern Italy with his companion and former lover, Giton. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters, including a wealthy freedman, a witch, and a philosopher. The novel is known for its bawdy humor, vivid descriptions of sex, and its satirical commentary on Roman society.

One of the most famous sections of “The Satyricon” is the “Dinner of Trimalchio,” a depiction of an extravagant and ostentatious dinner party thrown by a wealthy freedman. The scene is filled with excess, including exotic dishes, live entertainment, and outrageous displays of wealth.

“The Satyricon” is also notable for its fragmented structure, with many sections of the novel missing or incomplete. Despite this, the work has had a significant impact on Western literature and has been influential in the development of the novel as a literary form. The novel has also been adapted into several films and plays, and continues to be studied and enjoyed by scholars and readers today.