The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter

Petronius’s surviving masterpiece offers a vivid, rib‑tickling glimpse into the hedonistic world of imperial Rome, where lavish feasts and outrageous excesses become a mirror for human folly. The narrator guides listeners through a series of episodic adventures, from bustling city streets to sumptuous banquets hosted by the infamous freed‑man Trimalchio, whose ostentatious display of wealth both amuses and unsettles. Richly translated and annotated, the text preserves the original’s sharp wit while making the ancient satire accessible to modern ears.

Beyond the glittering tables, the work peels back the pretensions of Rome’s social climbers, exposing the absurdities of ambition, love, and superstition. Listeners encounter a colorful cast of characters—haughty aristocrats, crafty courtesans, and philosophic wanderers—each contributing to a kaleidoscopic portrait of a society teetering between decadence and decay. The opening scenes set the stage for a journey that is as much a comedic romp as it is a timeless commentary on the human condition.