Book · 1469 · Translations into English
The golden asse of Lucius Apuleius
- mentions
- 2
- people
- 2
- podcasts
- 2
- episodes
- 2
- recommendations
- 2
Why people recommend it
The Golden Ass by Lucius Apuleius is widely celebrated as the only completely preserved ancient Roman novel in Latin, offering a vivid and satirical look into antiquity through the fantastical misadventures of a man transformed into a donkey. Podcast hosts and guests have frequently highlighted the work to showcase the surprising diversity and dark humor found within classical literature. On an episode of EconTalk, Brett Devereaux recommended reading the text to point out that Roman literature was not always elite or strictly orthodox, describing the work as a hilarious, dark comedy written by an upper-class Roman citizen. Similarly, during an episode of Conversations with Tyler featuring Shadi Bartsch, Tyler Cowen mentioned Apuleius's novel when discussing ancient prose fiction, noting the entertaining premise of a protagonist wandering through greater Greece and encountering endless trouble after his bizarre transformation. Both commentators valued the book for its enduring wit, historical significance, and ability to subvert traditional expectations of ancient classical texts. The novel remains a cornerstone reference for scholars and enthusiasts interested in the lighter, more satirical side of the Roman world, proving that ancient storytelling could be as absurd and entertaining as modern fiction. Its inclusion across different podcasts highlights its lasting appeal for anyone curious about the breadth of classical Mediterranean literature.
Every mention
Brett Devereaux you know i talk about um uh you know appalachianists uh who as a roman author writes in latin roman citizen… 1
“you know i talk about um uh you know appalachianists uh who as a roman author writes in latin roman citizen upperclass um writes the world's oldest complete surviving novel um the golden ass you can go read it it's hilarious it's a comedy um dark comedy but a comedy not g-rated but it's funny”
Tyler Cowen and ditto for um epileus's golden ass in which a guy gets turned into a donkey and goes wandering around um… 1
“and ditto for um epileus's golden ass in which a guy gets turned into a donkey and goes wandering around um greater grease getting into all sorts of trouble”