
THE SATYRICON OF PETRONIUS ARBITER - THE SATYRICON OF PETRONIUS ARBITER
PREFACE
NOTES
SIX NOTES BY MARCHENA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ILLUSTRATIONS:
INTRODUCTION.
I
II
III
A vivid portrait of life in the waning days of ancient Rome, this unexpurgated rendering plunges listeners into a whirlwind of wit, excess, and sharp social commentary. Through the eyes of a roguish narrator and his companions, we wander bustling streets, opulent banquets, and shadowy taverns, encountering characters whose ambitions and appetites reveal the era’s tangled morals. The prose crackles with the slang and sarcasm of a world where status is flaunted, fortunes are wagered, and love—whether tender or transactional—plays out with unapologetic frankness.
The opening sections set a restless tone, following a trio of friends as they navigate a city alive with intrigue, betrayal, and the occasional absurdity of fate. Their escapades—filled with feasts, flirtations, and unexpected encounters—offer a glimpse of a society both lavish and precarious, where every toast hides a lesson and every rumor hints at hidden danger. The narrative’s lively rhythm and vivid scenes promise a listening experience that feels both historically rich and startlingly contemporary.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (552K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-06-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

20–66
A sharp-eyed observer of Roman high society, he is traditionally credited with the Satyricon, a witty, unruly work that still feels startlingly modern. His life at Nero’s court has made him almost as fascinating as the book itself.
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