The Satyricon of Petronius Arbiter

1922. With an essay by Charles Whibley. Satyricon, ascribed by tradition to that of Petronius who, at the court of Nero, acted as arbiter of elegance and dictator of fashion. The Satyricon is a romance with skillfully drawn characters, written in prose interspersed with verse. Parts of the 15th and 16th books have been preserved. Among the surviving fragments the most complete and valuable section is the Cena Trimalchionis, presenting a humorous episode of vulgar display on the part of a man whose great wealth is newly acquired. These satires furnish a vivid study of the life and manners of the time in a sustained, connected example of the colloquial language. The Latin style of Petronius is among the best of its period.