Re: OT: Totally OT: Satyricon

> On Monday 05 November 2001 20:33, Boudewijn Rempt wrote:
>
> > The most famous part, Trimalchio's Dinner,
> > is not the only bit worth reading.
>
> But it's hilarious, and great fun to read with a bunch of intelligent
> sixteen-year-olds (as our Latin teacher did). We had an informal
> competition in class to translate as coarsely as possible while still
> being faithful to the text.
>
>    Irina
>
The only time I seriously considered learning latin (as in going to
classes rather than trying to work it out from a textbook) was after
reading an English translation of the Satyricon. The thought of such a
formal, public school establishment sort of language being able to be
so descriptively dirty just blew my stereotypes apart.

Pity only portions of the book survive. It must have been a wonderful
romp across the Roman Empire. Is it right that the author was under
arrest when he wrote the book, and was executed soon after it was
finished?

Rik
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