The Satyricon (Oxford World's Classics)

The Satyricon (Oxford World's Classics)

by Petronius (Author), Petronius (Author), P. G. Walsh (Editor)

Synopsis

'The language is refined, the smile not grave, My honest tongue recounts how men behave.' The Satyricon is the most celebrated work of fiction to have survived from the ancient world. It can be described as the first realistic novel, the father of the picaresque genre, and recounts the sleazy progress of a pair of literature scholars as they wander through the cities of the southern Mediterranean. En route they encounter type-figures the author wickedly satirizes - a teacher in higher education, a libidinous priest, a vulgar freedman turned millionaire, a manic poet, a superstitious sea-captain and a femme fatale. The novel has fascinated the literary world of Europe ever since, evoking praise for its elegant and hilarious description of the underside of Roman society, but also condemnation for some of its lewder subjects. This new and lively translation by P.G. Walsh captures the gaiety of the original, and the edition is supplemented by his superb Introduction giving an account of the plot, the various scholarly interpretations and the later history of its literary influcence. There are also extensive and detailed notes which serve to illuminate the reading of a text rich in literary in-jokes and allusion. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 26 Mar 2009

ISBN 10: 0199539219
ISBN 13: 9780199539215

Media Reviews
P. G. Walsh's translation appears more learned, as one might expect from a scholar who has spent a long career studying ancient fiction. Its preface is masterful. * TLS *
Author Bio
P. G. Walsh is Emeritus Professor of Humanity at the University of Glasgow. He translated and edited Apuleius, The Golden Ass for World's Classics.