Apuleius
Apuleius was born in Madauros, a colonia on the North African coast bordering Gaetulia. He described himself as half-Numidian and half-Gaetulian. His father served as a municipal magistrate known as a duumvir. That official bequeathed nearly two million sesterces to his two sons upon death. Apuleius studied with a master at Carthage before moving to Athens. There he studied Platonist philosophy among other subjects. He subsequently went to Rome to study Latin rhetoric. Most likely he spoke in law courts for a time before returning home. He also travelled extensively in Asia Minor and Egypt while studying philosophy and religion. This journey burned up his inheritance completely.
On his way to Alexandria he fell ill at Oea, modern-day Tripoli. He received hospitality from Sicinius Pontianus, an old friend from Athens. Pontianus's mother Pudentilla was a very rich widow. With her son's consent Apuleius agreed to marry her. Herodius Rufinus's son married Pudentilla's daughter. Indignant that wealth should leave the family, Rufinus instigated charges against Apuleius. A younger brother named Sicinius Pudens joined him. Their paternal uncle Sicinius Aemilianus also participated. The case was heard at Sabratha near Tripoli around 158 AD. Claudius Maximus served as proconsul of Africa during these proceedings. Apuleius accused an extravagant personal enemy of turning his house into a brothel. He claimed that enemy had prostituted his wife within those walls. The accusation itself seems ridiculous yet the defence remains extant today.
The Metamorphoses is known otherwise as The Golden Ass. It stands as the only Latin novel surviving in its entirety. Lucius introduces himself as related to philosophers Plutarch and Sextus of Chaeronea. He experiments with magic and accidentally turns into an ass. In this guise he hears and sees many unusual things throughout his journey. He escapes from his predicament in a rather unexpected way. Within this frame story lie many digressions including longer tales. The longest among them being the well-known tale of Cupid and Psyche. This story represents a rare instance of fairy tale preserved in ancient literary text. The hero eventually becomes human again through divine intervention. He seeks initiation into the mystery cult of Isis. He abstains from forbidden foods and purifies himself through bathing. Then the secrets of the cult's books are explained to him further. He goes through a trial by elements on a journey to the underworld. Eventually he is initiated into the pastophoroi group serving Isis and Osiris.
Within the larger narrative lies the embedded tale of Cupid and Psyche. This story serves as one of the longest digressions found inside the work. It preserves mythological storytelling traditions rarely seen in ancient texts. The narrative structure allows for complex emotional exploration within the frame. Readers encounter themes of love, loss, and redemption alongside Lucius's transformation. The tale demonstrates Apuleius's skill at weaving multiple stories together. It remains significant for understanding how ancient authors preserved folklore. Scholars value it as a unique window into classical mythology. The integration creates layers of meaning beyond simple adventure. Each episode contributes to the overall philosophical message of the novel.
Apuleius wrote De Platone et dogmate eius outlining Plato's physics and ethics. A life of Plato preceded this two-book outline. He also composed On the God of Socrates regarding daemons between gods and humans. Augustine of Hippo attacked this treatise in The City of God books eight to ten. Lactantius reserved those creatures for short-lived existence only. The text contains a passage comparing gods and kings. That comparison marks the first recorded occurrence of familiar proverbial wisdom. Familiarity breeds contempt appears here for the first time ever. Other works include technical treatises on politics dendrology agriculture medicine natural history astronomy music and arithmetic. He translated Plato's Phaedo into Latin as well. Many other works have not survived to modern times.
Madauros was the same colonia where Augustine later received part of his early education. Augustine played a decisive role in transmitting Apuleius texts up to present day. His Epistle 138.19 mentions Apuleius as priest of the province of Carthage. This connection helped preserve fragments that might otherwise be lost. Without Augustine's interest many writings would remain unknown today. The relationship between these two figures shaped literary history significantly. Their shared background in North Africa created a unique bond. Later scholars rely heavily on Augustine's references when studying Apuleius. The transmission process involved careful copying and commentary over centuries. Modern editions still reflect decisions made during that critical period.
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Common questions
Where was Apuleius born and what was his ethnic background?
Apuleius was born in Madauros, a colonia on the North African coast bordering Gaetulia. He described himself as half-Numidian and half-Gaetulian.
When did the trial of Apuleius take place and who presided over it?
The case against Apuleius was heard at Sabratha near Tripoli around 158 AD. Claudius Maximus served as proconsul of Africa during these proceedings.
What is the only Latin novel by Apuleius that survives in its entirety?
The Metamorphoses is known otherwise as The Golden Ass. It stands as the only Latin novel surviving in its entirety.
Which famous proverb appears for the first time in Apuleius's work On the God of Socrates?
Familiarity breeds contempt appears here for the first time ever within the text comparing gods and kings. This passage marks the first recorded occurrence of this familiar proverbial wisdom.
How did Augustine of Hippo help preserve the writings of Apuleius?
Augustine played a decisive role in transmitting Apuleius texts up to present day through his Epistle 138.19. His interest helped preserve fragments that might otherwise be lost without his references.
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17 references cited across the entry
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- 5citationThe fortunes of Apuleius and the Golden Ass: a study in transmission and ReceptionJulia Haig Gaisser — Princeton University Press — 2008
- 6journalApology as Prosecution: The Trial of ApuleiusThomas Nelson Winter — 2006
- 7bookThe Religious Dreamworld of Apuleius' Metamorphoses: Recovering a Forgotten HermeneuticJames Gollnick — Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press — 1999
- 8bookThe Golden Ass, Or, The MetamorphosesApuleius — Barnes & Noble Publishing — 2004
- 9bookThe Logic of Apuleius: Including a Complete Latin Text and English Translation of the Peri Hermeneias of Apuleius of MadauraDavid George Londey et al. — Brill Publishers — 1987
- 10citationAncient ReligionsSarah Iles Johnson — The Belknap Press of Harvard University — 2007
- 11encyclopediaApuléeJean-Pierre Cèbe — Edisud — 1989
- 12journalLa Polemica Di Agostino Contro La Demonologia Di ApuleioMoreschini, Claudio (Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa) — 1972
- 13bookApuleio e Agostino: tra ricezione e demonologiaCarandino, Martina — Academia.edu
- 14citationApuleiusS. J. Harrison — Oxford University Press — 2004
- 15bookThe Roman PhilosophersMark P. O. Morford — Routledge — 2002
- 16webTypes of Greek NumerologyJoel Kalesmaki — 18 November 2006
- 17journalArt of Beekeeping Meets the Arts of Grammar: A Gloss of 'Columcille's Circle'Martha Dana Rust — 1999