The Satyricon

The Satyricon is an ancient Roman text, written during the reign of Emperor Nero (37-68 CE). It is most commonly dated to around 63-65 CE. Only fragments of a much longer text have survived. The identity of the author has been debated, but it is generally agreed that the text was written by Gaius Petronius Arbiter (sometimes simply referred to as “Petronius”), a courtier.

A long fictional narrative, The Satyricon can be considered a precursor to the modern novel; it is also an important example of Menippean satire. In the text, Petronius mocks a number of stereotypes and cultural trends in Imperial Rome, and also provides an important portrayal of the lifestyle of the lower social classes. Despite surviving only in fragments, the text has influenced subsequent writers including F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby contains allusions to the character of Trimalchio) and the poet T. S. Eliot.

This guide refers to the 1997 Oxford World’s Classics edition, translated by P. G. Walsh. The guide contains references to enslavement, non-consensual sex, and sex with underage individuals.

Plot Summary

The Satyricon is narrated in the first person by an educated man named Encolpius as he travels to different places in the Mediterranean, having adventures and meeting various characters. Because the text is preserved in fragments, the plot does not always unfold in a linear or cohesive way. The surviving fragments begin with Encolpius in a town in Campania (a region in southwest Italy), having a debate at a local school. On the way back to his lodgings, Encolpius is tricked into going to a brothel, where he runs in to his friend Ascyltus. Ascyltus and Encolpius have been travelling together, and were formerly lovers, but are now merely friends. They are both well-educated men and use their education to earn a living as they travel around. However, a conflict erupts between the two men over both wanting to sleep with an enslaved boy named Giton, and they decide to part ways.

Despite this quarrel, the action continues with Encolpius and Ascyltus still together. They are accused by a priestess named Quartilla of having accidentally witnessed a secret religious ritual, and when they earnestly agree to atone for this, the two men and Giton end up trapped in an extended orgy where they have sex with Quartilla and several of her companions over a series of days. Eventually, they are invited to have dinner at the home of a wealthy man named Trimalchio. Trimalchio was formerly enslaved and has become extremely rich, and he throws a lengthy and tedious dinner party during which he tries to show off his wealth. Encolpius, Ascyltus, and Giton all become eager to leave, and eventually sneak out, relieved to be able to depart.

Encolpius and Ascyltus get into another fight over Giton, and they part ways. Giton decides to go with Ascyltus, which leaves Encolpius feeling very sad and betrayed. After several days of brooding over being abandoned, Encolpius goes to an art gallery where he runs into an elderly poet named Eumolpus. Encolpius and Eumolpus strike up a friendship, even though Encolpius finds it annoying when Eumolpus constantly quotes poetry. Encolpius reunites with Giton but ends up getting into a fight when Eumolpus also tries to seduce the boy. Ascyltus, meanwhile, is searching for Giton, and questions Encolpius about his whereabouts. Eumolpus threatens to reveal where Giton is hiding, but the three men end up reconciling, and Eumolpus agrees to help Encolpius and Giton escape from Ascyltus.

Encolpius and Giton board a ship with Eumolpus. Encolpius is dismayed to realize that a man named Lichas and a woman named Tryphaena are also on the ship. Encolpius is enemies with both; he had an affair with Lichas’s wife and stole Giton from Tryphaena (who is also his former lover). To avoid detection, Encolpius and Giton pretend to be enslaved by Eumolpus, but their identity is revealed. After much quarrelling, everyone ends up reconciling and enjoying a feast together. However, the ship is wrecked in a storm. Encolpius, Giton, and Eumolpus manage to get safely ashore. They discover they are now near the town of Croton, in southern Italy.

The three men learn that Croton is full of fortune hunters, who try to get rich by inheriting money from wealthy and childless individuals. They decide to exploit the fortune hunters by pretending that Eumolpus is sickly and wealthy; Giton and Encolpius will pretend to be his slaves. Once they get to Croton, the townspeople quickly fall for their ruse and become very generous and hospitable. Encolpius attracts the attention of a young maid named Chrysis, who thinks that her mistress Circe will be attracted to him. When Encolpius and Circe meet, he is struck by her beauty, but he experiences impotence and cannot have sex with her. Encolpius tries to find a cure through witchcraft and goes to the temple of Priapus, where he accidentally kills a sacred goose. He tries to submit to a ritual led by a priestess but ends up fleeing. The text hints that Chrysis finds out that Encolpius is not actually a slave and ends up falling in love with him.

During their time in Croton, Eumolpus and Encolpius have sex with a brother and sister. Encolpius has found a cure for his impotence and is very happy. However, the fortune hunters are growing impatient with them. The text ends with a fragmentary description of a plan in which Eumolpus stipulates in his will that his beneficiaries need to eat his dead body before they can inherit anything. The narrative breaks off with no resolution.