Satyricon

• The Satyricon is a work of both prose and verse by the Roman writer Petronius (c.27-66 CE).
• It is often considered to be a Roman Novel, rather than a verse satire, such as those written by Juvenal and Horace. It is a Menippean Satire, in that it satirises attitudes rather than individuals.

Trimalchio

• Chapters 26-28 of the Satyricon deal with Trimalchio’s Dinner.
• The central character, Encolpius, is invited to an ostentatious dinner at the Estate of the wealthy Freedman Trimalchio.
• Petronius satyrises Trimalchio and his guests, who are mostly Freedmen, for being vulgar and brash.
• It is an interesting view of Roman Society in the first century CE.