
THE WORKS OF LUCIAN OF SAMOSATA
TRANSLATED BY - H. W. FOWLER AND F. G. FOWLER - IN FOUR VOLUMES
APOLOGY FOR 'THE DEPENDENT SCHOLAR' - DEAR SABINUS,
HERMOTIMUS, OR THE RIVAL PHILOSOPHIES
HERODOTUS AND AETION
ZEUXIS AND ANTIOCHUS
HARMONIDES
THE SCYTHIAN
THE WAY TO WRITE HISTORY - MY DEAR PHILO,
SOSTRATUS SON OF DEXIPHANES OF CNIDUS ON BEHALF OF ALL MARINERS TO THE SAVIOUR GODS
A vivid collage of Lucian’s razor‑sharp satire, this volume gathers some of his most memorable dialogues, the foremost being “The Dependent Scholar.” In the opening sections the narrator launches a lively critique of intellectual freeloaders, likening their cushy lives to sailors rescued by mythic twins. The piece bubbles with witty analogies, vivid sea‑metaphors and a relentless humor that exposes the pretensions of those who live off the labor of others.
The translation preserves Lucian’s brisk, conversational style, making ancient Athens feel as immediate as a modern coffee‑house debate. Listeners will be drawn into a world where philosophers argue, patrons brag, and every turn of phrase carries a playful sting. It’s an entertaining encounter with a classic mind that still knows how to poke fun at today’s‑like ambitions, all while offering a glimpse into the cultural chatter of the second‑century Roman world.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (517K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

120–180
A sharp, funny voice from the ancient world, this Syrian-born Greek writer turned satire into an art. His lively dialogues and playful attacks on superstition, vanity, and fake wisdom still feel surprisingly modern.
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