Apuleius

Apuleius[1†]

Apuleius, also known as Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis, born circa 124 CE in Madauros, Numidia (modern-day Algeria), was a prominent Latin writer, philosopher, and priest. His renowned work, "The Metamorphoses" or "The Golden Ass", depicts the adventures of Lucius, transformed into a donkey. He delved into Greco-Roman mysteries and faced accusations of using magic to woo a widow, defended in the famous "Apologia". Apuleius's life mirrored his tales, studying in Athens and journeying across Italy, Asia Minor, and Egypt, leaving an enduring legacy in literature and philosophy.

Early Years and Education

Apuleius was born around 124 CE in the Roman province of Numidia, in the Berber city of Madauros, which is modern-day M’Daourouch, Algeria[1†][2†]. He described himself as "half-Numidian half-Gaetulian"[1†]. His father was a municipal magistrate (duumvir) who bequeathed at his death the sum of nearly two million sesterces to his two sons[1†].

Apuleius received his early education in Madauros, a colonia in Numidia on the North African coast bordering Gaetulia[1†][2†]. Madauros was the same colonia where Augustine of Hippo later received part of his early education[1†]. As he came from wealth, he was able to study in both Carthage and Athens[1†][3†]. During his education, he mastered colloquial Latin[1†][3†].

In Carthage, he studied with a master and later settled there[1†][4†]. He subsequently went to Athens, where he studied Platonist philosophy among other subjects[1†][4†]. At Athens, he gained enough philosophy to be called philosophus Platonicus by himself and others[1†][5†]. He later went to Rome to study Latin rhetoric and, most likely, to speak in the law courts for a time before returning to his native North Africa[1†][4†].

Apuleius’s early years and education played a significant role in shaping his future career and contributions. His extensive travels and studies in different cities exposed him to a variety of cultures and philosophies, which influenced his writings and philosophical outlook[1†][2†].

Career Development and Achievements

Apuleius was a versatile intellectual, a consummate orator, and a Platonist philosopher[6†]. He was also an extraordinary stylist and a relentless self-promoter[6†]. His body of work was remarkably diverse, much of which is lost to us[6†].

Apuleius’s career was marked by his extensive travels and his interest in contemporary religious initiation rites[6†][2†]. He became interested in the ceremonies associated with the worship of the Egyptian goddess Isis[6†][2†]. His intellectual versatility and his acquaintance with works of both Latin and Greek writers allowed him to teach rhetoric in Rome before returning to Africa[6†][2†].

One of the most significant events in his career was his marriage to a rich widow, Aemilia Pudentilla[6†][2†]. To meet her family’s charge that he had practiced magic to win her affection, he wrote the Apologia (“Defense”), which is the major source for his biography[6†][2†].

Apuleius’s most famous work is the Metamorphoses, otherwise known as The Golden Ass[6†][2†]. This novel, the only Latin novel that has survived in its entirety, narrates the adventures of a young man changed by magic into an ass[6†][2†]. It is particularly valuable for its description of the ancient religious mysteries[6†][2†]. Lucius’s restoration from animal to human shape, with the aid of Isis, and his acceptance into her priesthood suggests that Apuleius himself had been initiated into that cult[6†][2†].

His work has been praised for its entertaining and at times bawdy episodes that alternate between the dignified, the ludicrous, the voluptuous, and the horrible[6†][2†]. Its “Cupid and Psyche” tale (Books IV–VI) has been frequently imitated by later writers[6†][2†].

Apuleius’s career development and achievements were marked by his intellectual versatility, his mastery of rhetoric, and his contributions to Latin literature[6†][2†][6†].

First Publication of His Main Works

Apuleius’s most famous work is his bawdy picaresque novel, the Metamorphoses, otherwise known as The Golden Ass[1†][2†]. It is the only Latin novel that has survived in its entirety[1†]. The novel narrates the adventures of its protagonist, Lucius, who experiments with magic and is accidentally turned into a donkey[1†]. Lucius goes through various adventures before he is turned back into a human being by the goddess Isis[1†].

Here are some of his main works:

• The Metamorphoses or The Golden Ass: This is a spectacular picaresque fiction concerning the adventures of the young Greek Lucius, who is metamorphosed into a donkey but later becomes an official in the cults of Isis and Osiris[1†][7†]. It is particularly valuable for its description of the ancient religious mysteries[1†][2†].
• The God of Socrates: This work is part of the collection of Apuleius’s works[1†][8†].
• The Florida: This work consists of snippets taken from some of his best speeches[1†].
• His Defence or A Discourse on Magic (Apologia): This is a forensic oration of self-defense against charges of magic and other offenses, delivered in the late 150s in court at Sabratha[1†][7†].

Three extant works ascribed to Apuleius are of debated authenticity[1†][5†]:

• De dogmate Platonis or De Platone: Two books of mediocre exposition of the philosophy of Plato[1†][5†].
• De Interpretatione: A treatise on formal logic[1†][5†].
• De mundo: A translation of the pseudo-Aristotelian treatise[1†][5†].

Analysis and Evaluation

Apuleius’s works have been the subject of extensive analysis and evaluation. His writings, particularly the Metamorphoses, are considered a significant contribution to Latin literature[9†][10†].

The Metamorphoses, also known as The Golden Ass, is a unique blend of adventure, comedy, and philosophy. Some scholars have suggested that the novel is a 'philosophical comedy about religious knowledge’[9†][11†]. The narrative is rich in humor and satire, yet it also explores profound philosophical and religious themes[9†][11†].

Apuleius’s Apologia, a self-defense against charges of magic, is a masterful blend of Ciceronian forensic rhetoric and sophistic epideixis[9†][5†]. It showcases Apuleius’s rhetorical skills and his ability to engage and persuade his audience[9†][5†].

The Florida, a collection of excerpts from Apuleius’s declamations, demonstrates his considerable rhetorical and stylistic talent[9†][5†]. These pieces are characterized by their showy and flamboyant style, reflecting the influence of the Second Sophistic[9†][10†].

Apuleius’s philosophical works, such as De Deo Socratis and De Mundo, offer valuable insights into his intellectual interests and his interpretation of Platonic philosophy[9†][10†]. However, these works have been the subject of debate regarding their authenticity.

Overall, Apuleius’s works are characterized by their intellectual depth, stylistic elegance, and innovative blending of different genres and traditions[9†][10†]. His writings have had a lasting impact on Latin literature and continue to be studied and appreciated for their literary and philosophical value[9†][10†].

Personal Life

Apuleius was born in Madauros, a colonia in Numidia on the North African coast bordering Gaetulia[1†]. He described himself as "half-Numidian half-Gaetulian"[1†]. His father was a municipal magistrate (duumvir) who bequeathed at his death the sum of nearly two million sesterces to his two sons[1†].

In the winter of 156, while in Oea in North Africa, he met an ex-pupil from Athens, Pontianus[1†][5†]. He later returned to Africa and married the wealthy and much older Pudentilla[1†][12†][5†]. After her death, he inherited a large fortune[1†][12†]. However, the relatives of the deceased believed that he had managed to deceive Pudentilla with magic[1†][12†]. He was sued by an absurd lawsuit[1†][12†].

Apuleius also accused an extravagant personal enemy of turning his house into a brothel and prostituting his own wife[1†]. Of his subsequent career, we know little[1†].

Conclusion and Legacy

Apuleius, a Platonic philosopher, rhetorician, and author, is remembered for his influential prose narrative, The Golden Ass[2†]. This work, which is the only Latin novel that has survived in its entirety, proved influential long after his death[2†]. It is particularly valuable for its description of the ancient religious mysteries[2†]. Lucius’s restoration from animal to human shape, with the aid of Isis, and his acceptance into her priesthood suggests that Apuleius himself had been initiated into that cult[2†].

Apuleius was intellectually versatile and acquainted with works of both Latin and Greek writers[2†]. He taught rhetoric in Rome before returning to Africa to marry a rich widow, Aemilia Pudentilla[2†]. To meet her family’s charge that he had practiced magic to win her affection, he wrote the Apologia (“Defense”), the major source for his biography[2†].

The “Cupid and Psyche” tale from The Golden Ass has been frequently imitated by later writers[2†]. His work has been praised for its entertaining and at times bawdy episodes that alternate between the dignified, the ludicrous, the voluptuous, and the horrible[2†].

Apuleius’s work on the existence and nature of daemons, the intermediaries between gods and humans, is also noteworthy[2†][1†]. His legacy continues to influence literature and philosophy, demonstrating the enduring impact of his work[2†][1†][2†].

Key Information

• Also Known As: Apuleio, Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis[2†][1†]
• Born: c. 124 CE, Madauros, Numidia near modern M’Daourouch, Algeria[[?]][2†][1†]
• Died: Probably after 170 CE[2†][1†]
• Nationality: Numidian[2†][1†]
• Occupation: Novelist, writer, public speaker[2†][1†]
• Notable Works: The Golden Ass[2†][1†]
• Notable Achievements: Apuleius was a Platonic philosopher, rhetorician, and author remembered for The Golden Ass, a prose narrative that proved influential long after his death[2†][1†]. He studied Platonism in Athens, travelled to Italy, Asia Minor, and Egypt, and was an initiate in several cults or mysteries[2†][1†].

References and Citations:

1. Wikipedia (English) - Apuleius [website] - link
2. Britannica - Lucius Apuleius: Roman philosopher and scholar [website] - link
3. GradeSaver - Apuleius Biography [website] - link
4. The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia - Apuleius [website] - link
5. Oxford Bibliographies - Apuleius - Classics [website] - link
6. Oxford Academic - None [website] - link
7. Oxford Academic - The Oxford Handbook to the Second Sophistic - Apuleius [website] - link
8. Open Library - Apuleius [website] - link
9. Cambridge Scholars Publishing - Characterisation in Apuleius’ Metamorphoses: Nine Studies [website] - link
10. JSTOR - Review: [Untitled] [website] - link
11. Oxford Academic - Apuleius’ Metamorphoses: A Study in Roman Fiction - Summary [website] - link
12. IMPERIUM ROMANUM - Apuleius of Madaura [website] - link