You may know of the ancient Roman writers Virgil, Ovid, and Cicero— but what about Apuleius? Born in Madauros in Roman North Africa around A.D. 125, Apuleius is well known for his novel titled "Metamorphoses or The Golden Ass". Full of magic, violence, and adventure, it is the only complete novel written in Latin to survive from ancient times.
Apuleius attended school in Carthage and then went to Athens and Rome for further study. Upon returning to North Africa, he married a wealthy older widow. Her relatives accused him of using magic to convince her to marry him, but Apuleius successfully defended himself in court. In his defense, called the "Apologia", he boasts of his learning and describes himself as a philosopher, orator, and writer.
"The Golden Ass" is set in Greece and tells the story of Lucius, a man who is transformed by magic into an ass and then stolen by robbers. On his subsequent travels, he suffers much abuse and humiliation and hears many thrilling stories. One is the tale of Cupid, the god of love, and the trials his mortal lover, Psyche, must endure before they wed. Another is that of Thelyphron, who falls asleep while guarding a dead body and has his nose and ears cut off by witches. The novel ends with the Egyptian goddess Isis helping Lucius regain his human form, after which he becomes her devoted worshiper. This religious ending has led scholars to debate whether the novel is more than just an entertaining story.
While there are many ways to interpret Apuleius’ work, what is clear is that "The Golden Ass" is a complex, original story that reflects many cultures—Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and African. During the Middle Ages, it was almost forgotten. In the centuries that followed, it became popular again, and people still enjoy it today.
By Liz Johnson in "Dig into History",Chicago USA, January/ 2016 issue, excerpts p.17. Adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.