Petronius

3 units

We will translate, analyze, and contextualize selections from what remains of Petronius's SATYRICA, the Roman novel of the first century CE that has scandalized, titillated, challenged, andinspired generations of readers and artists. The misadventures of our narrator Encolpius, hissidekick-rival Ascyltus, and Giton, object of his incandescent passion, not only enthrall in their own right but also offer the attentive reader a cornucopia of evidence for non-élite life in the early empire. A particular highlight of our time with the text will be the satirical representation of freedman Trimalchio's excessive dinner party. Throughout, issues of literary form, linguistic register, and social history will guide our class discussions.