CSLC 140 Sex in the Satyricon: Romance in the Ancient Novel

Petronius' Satyricon depicts the erotic misadventures of male lovers, Encolpius and Giton, as they excessively feast, fête, and ... fornicate in a series of near death experiences throughout the Mediterranean. While immensely entertaining and, at times, ridiculous, this popular novel will provoke thoughtful class discussions about love (heterosexual and homoerotic), romance, gender, and sexuality in antiquity. We will examine the generic features of this work in relation to other surviving ancient novels whose authors were influenced by the second sophistic. Our consideration will also include the reception of these novels in post-­classical literature, art, and film.