Satyricon (Hackett Classics)

Sarah very foolishly opted to translate Petronius in contemporary street slang, and as such you often feel as if you are reading a scene out of the Sopranos rather than ancient Rome. It really gets ridiculous during the lengthy Trimalchio's Dinner Party; indeed you could show whole paragraphs in isolation to someone and never in two thousand years would they guess they were reading a novel out of classical antiquity. Have added a star for the useful commentaries, but Ruden's Satyricon itself is a total failure. Feed her to the lions.

Sarah Ruden has given us an excellent translation of the Satyricon by Petronius, one of the few surviving works from the time of Nero that give modern readers a sense of what everyday life might have been like. It's a shame the work has come down to us in fragments (big and small), and yet we are able to get an idea of the missing portions and follow the story. Petronius had a wicked sense of humor and style, and Sarah Ruden does an excellent job of breathing new life into words that are almost 2,000 years old. The footnotes are helpful, but the commentaries after the translated text are excellent.Here's a sense of Ruden's clarity of style (a random paragraph to get an idea of her vividness) -"After this plea she poured out another supply of tears. Her body shook with plentiful groans, and she buried her face - and bosom - in my bed. Pity and fear seized me. I told her to cheer up and dismiss both her terrors. No one was going to cheapen the rites by disclosure..."It goes on, of course, translated in this free and easy way. This short book (disgusting and perverted to prudes, probably, but lifelike and hilarious to sensible and well-adjusted readers), is actually a literary treasure of true genius and style that has somehow managed to survive to our day.This translation is definitely worth buying, having, and reading!

I read a previous translation of this book; however, I think Ms. Ruden's translation is better. In addition, she provides historical notes and background. Please keep in mind, readers may find some of the topics reprehensible.

This was a text for my Roman Culture class.I loved it.The dinner party was something else.It also told of some of the ways things were done back then, but everything Trimalchio did was over the top.A great read for the history buff or Roman lover.It is also just great if you want an interesting read!

I really loved this book, but unless you have someone that can translate some of the names for you and are familiar with the epics and roman/greek myths, much of the humor may be lost on you. I wish the end wasn't fragmentary; I would have liked to read more.