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.
The Trial In Sabratha
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 Golden Ass Survival
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.