Satyricon. Apocolocyntosis

<p><b>Two rollicking Roman satires.</b> <p/>The <i>Satyrica</i> (<i>Satyricon liber</i>) a comic-picaresque fiction in prose and verse traditionally attributed to the Neronian Petronius (d. AD 66) but possibly of Flavian or Trajanic date survives only as fragments of a much larger whole. It takes the form of a first-person narrative by the endearing ne'er-do-well Encolpius a brilliant storyteller parodist and mimic who recalls episodes from his past life as a wandering bohemian living by his wits on the margins of society in Greek southern Italy and encountering a vividly realized array of characters from the early imperial demimonde including the wealthy freedman Trimalchio one of the most unforgettable characters in all of Latin literature. <p/>Paired with the <i>Satyrica</i> and likewise in prose and verse is the <i>Apocolocyntosis</i> (<i>Pumpkinification</i>) a short satirical pamphlet lampooning the death apotheosis and attempt to enter heaven of the emperor Claudius (reigned 41-54). If the work of Lucius Annaeus Seneca (4 BC-AD 65) better known for his austere Stoic moralism its sarcastic wit and rollicking humor were no doubt inspired by bitterness over his exile at Claudius' hands in 41-49. <p/>For this Loeb edition the Latin texts have been freshly edited and translated with ample introductions and explanatory notes.</p>