The Satyricon — Volume 05: Crotona Affairs

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

5222

Title

The Satyricon — Volume 05: Crotona Affairs

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A satirical Roman novel following the misadventures of Encolpius and his companions in Crotona. Blending humor, eroticism, and philosophical reflection, this edition offers an unexpurgated translation enriched with historical forgeries and scholarly additions, capturing the chaotic spirit of Petronius's original work.

Summary up to 500 words

In Volume 5 of Petronius Arbiter's *The Satyricon*, titled 'Crotona Affairs,' the narrative follows Encolpius, now operating under the alias Polyaenos, as he navigates the opulent yet treacherous environment of Crotona under the patronage of the wealthy Eumolpus. Despite Eumolpus's boastful confidence and lavish spending, which convinces him that no crime can go unpunished, Encolpius remains deeply anxious about their fraudulent scheme being exposed. He fears that a legacy hunter from Africa or a greedy servant might reveal their lie, leading to a return to destitution. Encolpius's primary objective is to seduce the wealthy Circe, a pursuit that is abruptly halted by a sudden loss of virility. This impotence leads to a comedic and humiliating encounter with the priestess OEnothea. After being accused of witchcraft and beaten by the priestess, Encolpius eventually recovers his strength through a series of absurd events, including a fake seduction orchestrated by Eumolpus involving a young boy and a failed attempt with another woman. Encolpius's recovery is marked by his ability to laugh at his own misfortunes and his philosophical reflections on the fickleness of fortune and the nature of human desire. The volume culminates in the tragic death of Eumolpus. In his will, the wealthy patron bequeaths his fortune to his friends on the condition that they devour his corpse, a grotesque stipulation intended to ensure they accept the legacy. However, the fortune-hunters reject this macabre requirement, realizing that Eumolpus's wealth was likely a fabrication. Betrayed by their own greed and the public's anger at his long stay on public funds, Eumolpus is executed by the citizens of Crotona. Encolpius and Giton flee the city, leaving Eumolpus to his fate, thus concluding the affair with a stark reminder of the dangers of fraud and the volatility of human alliances.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Satire