The Golden Asse

The Golden Asse

by Lucius Apuleius
The Golden Asse

The Golden Asse

by Lucius Apuleius

Paperback

$19.99 
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Overview

Written in the second century A.D., this picaresque classic is the ancient world's only surviving complete novel. Concerning an inquisitive young man transformed into an ass by a magic potion, the narrative digresses into other tales of love, intrigue, and witchcraft ― a story-within-a-story technique that inspired many later authors, including Boccaccio, Cervantes, and Rabelais. This lavish hardcover edition reproduces the John Lane/Bodley Head version, first published in London in 1923. William Adlington's highly readable 16th-century translation from Latin to English is enhanced by 16 full-page plates, eight in color, and numerous black-and-white images by noted illustrator Jean de Bosschère.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781519306463
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date: 11/16/2015
Pages: 238
Product dimensions: 5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Apuleius was a Numidian Latin prose writer, Platonist philosopher, and rhetorician. He was born in the Roman province of Numidia, in the Berber city of Madauros, which is now known as M'Daourouch in Algeria. He studied Platonism in Athens, traveled to Italy, Asia Minor, and Egypt, and was initiated into various cults and mysteries. The most well-known occurrence in his life occurred when he was accused of utilizing magic to attract the attention (and fortune) of a wealthy widow. He declaimed and then presented his own defense to the proconsul and a magistrates' court in Sabratha, near Oea (modern Tripoli, Libya). This is known as an apologia. His most renowned work is the raunchy picaresque novel Metamorphoses, sometimes known as The Golden Ass. It is the only Latin novel that has survived intact. It follows the experiences of its main character, Lucius, who plays with magic and is unintentionally transformed into a donkey. Lucius travels on several adventures until being transformed back into a human person by the goddess Isis.

Table of Contents

I. How Apuleius riding in Thessaly, fortuned to fall into Company with Two Strangers, that reasoned together of the Mighty Power of Witches
II. How Apuleius told to the Strangers, what he saw a Jugler do in Athens
III. How Socrates in his Returns from Macedony to Larissa, was Spoyled and Robbed, and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe a Witch
IV. How Meroe the Witch turned Divers Persons into Miserable Beasts
V. How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one Chamber, and how they were handled by Witches
VI. How Apuleius came to a City named Hipate and was lodged in one Milos House, and brought him Letters from Demeas of Corinth
VII. How Apuleius going to buy Fish, met with his Companion Pythias
VIII. How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his Cousin Byrrhena
IX. How Apuleius fell in Love with Fotis
X. How Byrrhena sent Victuals unto Apuleius, and how he talked with Milo of Diophanes, and how he lay with Fotis
XI. How Apuleius supped with Byrrhena, and what a Strange Tale Bellephoron told at the Table
XII. How Apuleius was taken and put in Prison for Murther
XIII. How Apuleius was accused by an Old Man, and how hee answered for Himselfe
XIV. How Apuleius was accused by Two Women, and how the Slaine Bodies were found Blowne Bladders
XV. How Fotis told to Apuleius, what Witchcraft her Mistresse did use
XVI. How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistresse enchant
XVII. How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird, was turned into an Asse, and how hee was led away by Theves
XVIII. How Apuleius thinking to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener, and chased by Dogs
XIX. How Apuleius was prevented of his Purpose, and how the Theeves came to their Den
XX. How Trasileon was disguised in a Beares Skin, and how he was handled
XXI. How the Theeves stole away a Gentlewoman, and brought her to their Den
XXII. The most Pleasant and Delectable Tale of the Marriage of Cupid and Psyches
XXIII. How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken againe by the Theeves, and what a Kind of Death was invented for them
XXIV. How hee that was left behinde at Hippata did bring News concerning the Robbery of Miloes House, came home and declared to his Company, that all the Fault was laid to one Apuleius his Charge
XXV. How the Death of the Asse, and the Gentlewoman was stayed
XXVI. How all the Theeves were brought asleepe by their New Companion
XXVII. How the Gentlewoman was carried Home by her Husband while the Theeves were asleepe, and how much Apuleius was made of
XXVIII. How Apuleius was made a Common Asse to fetch home Wood, and how he was handled by a Boy
XXIX. How Apuleius was accused of Lechery by the Boy
XXX. How the Boy that lead Apuleius to the Field, was slaine in the Wood
XXXI. How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the Mother of the Boy that was slaine
XXXII. How a Young Man came and declared the Miserable Death of Lepolemus and his Wife Charites
XXXIII. How Apuleius was lead away by the Horsekeeper: and what Danger he was in
XXXIV. How the Shepheards determined to abide in a Certaine Wood to cure their Wounds
XXXV. How a Woman killed her selfe and her Child, because her Husband haunted Harlots
XXXVI. How Apuleius was cheapned by Divers Persons, and how they looked in his Mouth to know his Age
XXXVII. How Apuleius saved himselfe from the Cooke, breaking his Halter, and of Other Things that happened
XXXVIII. Of the Deceipt of a Woman which made her Husband Cuckold
XXXIX. How the Priests of the Goddesse Siria were taken and put in Prison, and how Apuleius was sold to a Baker
XL. How Apuleius was handled by the Bakers Wife, which was a Harlot
XLI. How Barbarus being jealous over his Wife, commanded that shee should be kept close in his House, and what happened
XLII. How Apuleius after the Baker was hanged, was sold to a Gardener, and what Dreadfull Things happened
XLIII. How Apuleius was found by his Shadow
XLIV. How the Souldier drave Apuleius away, and how he came to a Captaines House, and what happened there
XLV. How Apuleius was sold to Two Brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the other a Cooke, and how finely and daintiily he fared
XLVI. How a Certaine Matron fell in Love with Apuleius, how hee had his Pleasure with her, and what Other Things happened
XLVII. How Apuleius by Roses and Prayer returned to his Humane Shape
XLVIII. How the Parents and Friends of Apuleius heard News that he was Alive and in Health

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