The Satyricon — Complete

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

5225

Title

The Satyricon — Complete

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A complete and unexpurgated translation of Petronius Arbiter's satirical masterpiece, featuring the adventures of Encolpius, the infamous dinner of Trimalchio, and the tragic romance of Giton and Eumolpus. This edition incorporates historical forgeries and modern linguistic updates to capture the original's biting wit, Roman realism, and exploration of love, power, and decadence.

Summary up to 500 words

Petronius Arbiter's *The Satyricon* presents a fragmented yet vivid narrative of Roman life under Emperor Nero, blending high comedy with dark satire to offer an unflinching look at the vices and virtues of the era. The story follows the adventures of Encolpius and his companions as they navigate a world filled with gladiators, brothels, and philosophical debates. A central and defining digression details the extravagant and grotesque dinner of Trimalchio, a nouveau riche暴发户 whose ostentatious display serves as a biting critique of the new money class and the absurdity of social climbing. The narrative also shifts focus to the passionate and tragic relationship between the slave Giton and the poet Eumolpus. Through this pairing, the text explores complex themes of pederasty, social status, and the clash between pagan mystery cults and emerging Christian morality. The work is celebrated for its masterful use of realism, capturing the perspective and background of each episode with the detail of a fine copper etching. Despite the text's lacunae and discrepancies, the author remains an enigmatic genius, described as impersonal as Shakespeare and aloof as Flaubert, yet genial like Rabelais. The *Satyricon* stands as a scintillating miscellany that captures the flashing wit and cynicism of its time, pillorying the aristocracy while maintaining a tone of refined contempt rather than cruel malignity. Ultimately, the text offers a profound psychological insight into a society where the boundaries between the noble and the rabble were increasingly blurred by the public indulgence in dance, sex, and vice.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Satire