Folio Archives 92 : Satyrica by Petronius Arbiter 2003
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Satyrica by Petronius Arbiter 2003
The Folio Society edition of Petronius’ Satyrica is a beautifully presented book. Petronius was a Roman courtier and this novel was written about 60AD. It was originally a mixture of prose and verse, but the FS edition is a new translation by Frederic Raphael, and is rendered almost entirely in prose.
The full text has been lost, and only fragments have survived, but they detail the adventures (and misfortunes) of a retired gladiator (Encolpius) and his slave, who is also his sexual partner. It gives a significant, if cynical, insight into the lifestyle of these lower classes of Roman society.
Along with Apuleius’ Golden Ass, it is considered one of the most important pieces of literature from the first century after Christ, and this translation is easy to read.
Satyrica is quarter bound in dark brown cloth with paper sides printed with an almost three-dimensional design in tones of orange and brown, highlighted with gold and silver. There are seven illustrations by Neil packer in the 157 page book, which is printed on thicker than normal Clan Bookwove paper. The endpapers are printed in brown with multiple pieces of gladiatorial equipment on a pale orange background. The 28.5x19.2cm slipcase is plain dark brown.
A classic piece of literature that every sophisticated dilettante should read and own.
Endpapers
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
The Folio Society edition of Petronius’ Satyrica is a beautifully presented book. Petronius was a Roman courtier and this novel was written about 60AD. It was originally a mixture of prose and verse, but the FS edition is a new translation by Frederic Raphael, and is rendered almost entirely in prose.
The full text has been lost, and only fragments have survived, but they detail the adventures (and misfortunes) of a retired gladiator (Encolpius) and his slave, who is also his sexual partner. It gives a significant, if cynical, insight into the lifestyle of these lower classes of Roman society.
Along with Apuleius’ Golden Ass, it is considered one of the most important pieces of literature from the first century after Christ, and this translation is easy to read.
Satyrica is quarter bound in dark brown cloth with paper sides printed with an almost three-dimensional design in tones of orange and brown, highlighted with gold and silver. There are seven illustrations by Neil packer in the 157 page book, which is printed on thicker than normal Clan Bookwove paper. The endpapers are printed in brown with multiple pieces of gladiatorial equipment on a pale orange background. The 28.5x19.2cm slipcase is plain dark brown.
A classic piece of literature that every sophisticated dilettante should read and own.
Endpapers
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
