The Golden AssThe Golden Ass is a unique, entertaining, and thoroughly readable Latin novel - the only work of fiction in Latin to have survived in its entirety. It tells the story of Lucius, whose curiosity and fascination for sex and magic result in his transformation into an ass. After suffering a series of trials and humiliations, he is ultimately transformed back into human shape by the kindness of the Goddess Isis. Blending romantic adventure, fable, and religious testament, The Golden Ass is one of the truly seminal books of European literature, of intrinsic interest as a novel in its own right, and one of the earliest examples of the picaresque. This new translation is at once faithful to the meaning of the Latin, whilst reproducing all the exuberant gaiety of the original. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. |
Contents
Abbreviations | ix |
Map of Greece | x |
Introduction | xi |
Select Bibliography | l |
THE GOLDEN ASS | 1 |
Explanatory Notes | 241 |
271 | |
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Common terms and phrases
allow appearance Apuleius arms asked attack bear beasts beauty become began body Book brought called carried caused charge claim close continued cover Cupid danger darkness dead death deity divine door eager earlier ears entire eyes face fear feet finally force Fortune further gained girl give goddess gods gold Golden Ass Greek hair hand head heart heaven human husband initiation Isis journey kind laid later living look Lucius magic marriage master mind night Novel observe offer once ordered performed person Photis pleasure present priest promise Psyche reached repeatedly rest Roman round seek side sight sisters slave sleep soon sought statue story suggests sword tears thought took turned Venus whole wife wine woman wound young youth