The Golden Ass

Step into the wild, bawdy, and utterly unforgettable world of Lucius, a young man whose insatiable curiosity and unfortunate dabbling in Thessalian magic lead to his accidental transformation into a donkey. Thus begins a picaresque odyssey through the Roman provinces, narrated by Lucius himself, as he endures a series of misadventures, serving various masters, witnessing bizarre rituals, and encountering a kaleidoscopic cast of characters—from cruel bandits to lustful matrons. Amidst the chaos, Apuleius weaves in digressions and inset stories, most famously the enchanting myth of Cupid and Psyche, creating a vibrant tapestry of ancient life where old gods still hold sway and Fortune's wheel spins relentlessly.