The Satyricon by Petronius Arbiter, Fiction, Classics - Softcover

Petronius Arbiter; Petronius Arbiter, Gaius

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1598189301 ISBN 13: 9781598189308

Publisher: Aegypan, 2006

Synopsis

THE SATYRICON OF
Gaius Petronius, Arbiter to Nero

Petronius' bawdy masterpiece is considered by some to be an early form of the novel. Petronius had the notable job of advising Roman emperor Nero on style and fashion. After an unfortunate falling-out with Nero, Petronius was forced to commit suicide. Belated revenge came in the form of his will, which when read aloud in the Roman Forum, viciously mocked the mostly-mad emperor.

The Satyricon is a "satire," intended to provoke laughter as well as disgust or censure. It has given our modern society much of the picture it has of Roman life beyond ancient monuments and Imperial inscriptions.

About this title

Review:

"This version by a translator who understands the high art of low humor is conspicuously funny."
--Time

"William Arrowsmith's translation of The Satyricon meets the two fundamental requirements of the translator's art: perfect fidelity to the original and a vitality of style that tempts the reader to believe that the English version is not a translation.... A classic of literature."
--Allen Tate

"Arrowsmith's brilliant translation ... at one stroke renders every other version obsolete."
--London Times Literary Supplement

About the Author:

Gaius Petronius Arbiter (c. 27 - 66 AD) was a Roman courtier during the reign of Nero. He is generally believed to be the author of the Satyricon, a satirical novel believed to have been written during the Neronian era (54-68 AD). Tacitus, Plutarch and Pliny the Elder describe Petronius as the elegantiae arbiter (also phrased arbiter elegantiarum), "judge of elegance" in the court of the emperor Nero. He served as suffect consul in 62. Later, he became a member of the senatorial class who devoted themselves to a life of pleasure. His relationship to Nero was apparently akin to that of a fashion advisor. None of the ancient sources give any further detail about his life, or mention that he was a writer. However, a medieval manuscript written around 1450 of the Satyricon credited a "Titus Petronius" as the author of the original work. Traditionally, this reference is linked with Petronius Arbiter, since the novel appears to have been written or at least set during his lifetime.

About this edition

• Publisher: Aegypan
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1598189301
• ISBN 13: 9781598189308
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 292