The Satyricon — Volume 02: Dinner of Trimalchio

Name: The Satyricon — Volume 02: Dinner of Trimalchio
Author: Petronius Arbiter

By Petronius Arbiter

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Classics of Literature Novels

About This Book

A vivid, satirical episode follows a wealthy host staging an extravagant banquet, tracing his ostentatious bathing rituals, elaborate decorations and wall paintings, theatrical household servants, and a procession of absurd entertainments. Guests are exposed to ritualized protocols, mock displays of status, lavish courses and novelty dishes, and continuous performance that blurs hospitality and spectacle. Through comic detail—luxury furnishings, grotesque ornament, and ritualized punishments—the narrative exposes social ambition and taste as performative excess, mixing lively scene-painting with social observation.

About the Author

Petronius Arbiter

Petronius Arbiter was a Roman courtier and satirist, best known for his work "The Satyricon," a unique blend of prose and poetry that offers a vivid portrayal of Roman society during the first century AD. Often regarded as one of the earliest novels, "The Satyricon" explores themes of decadence, social satire, and the complexities of human relationships through the adventures of its protagonist, Encolpius. Petronius's sharp wit and keen observations provide insight into the cultural and moral landscape of his time, making his work a significant contribution to classical literature and an enduring influence on later literary traditions.