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This 6 page paper considers whether and to what extent Petronius’s work “The Satyricon” is an accurate representation of Roman beliefs and thinking, and whether it should be considered as mere entertainment or something more substantial. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
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6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVSatyri.rtf
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fiction, a diversion just for fun? This paper considers that question. Discussion The author of this work was a Roman Knight named Caius Petronius, at least as far as is
known (Allinson). A favorite of Neros, he apparently lounged around the court, amusing the Emperor and cultivating "an elegant and luxurious idleness and the elaboration of a refined profligacy" (Allinson).
Unfortunately, he became the target of Tigellinus, "Neros all-powerful Minister," who conspired to ruin him (Allinson). He was charged with conspiracy and forced to commit suicide, which he did by
opening his veins (Allinson). Apparently it takes a long time to die by this method, and Petronius had time to talk to his friends, recite poetry, and compose a "candid
and circumstantial account of the Emperors debaucheries, which he sent under seal to his Master as his dying bequest" (Allinson). His greatest work is The Satyricon, which has come down
to us in fragments, but was probably at least 16 books long, and possibly more (Allinson). There are numerous explanations for the missing passages, but no one can be certain
why the entire work does not survive (Allinson). Ramsey describes it as a "very singular production, consisting of a prose narrative interspersed with numerous pieces of poetry, and thus resembling
in form the Varronian Satire" (Allinson). It is a comic romance, in which the adventures of a certain Encolpius and his companions in the south of Italy, chiefly
in Naples or its environs, are made a vehicle for exposing the false taste which prevailed upon all matters connected with literature and the fine arts, and for holding up
to ridicule and detestation the folly, luxury and dishonesty of all classes of the community in the age and country in which the scene is laid (Allinson). A huge
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