The Golden Ass

The Golden Ass has the distinction of being the only novel from Classical Rome to have survived completely to the modern day.

This classic translation by William Adlington preserves the original spirit of the text, which is filled with adventurous whimsy. The protagonist, Lucius, has an obsession with magic and wishes above all else to perform and demonstrate his abilities. However one day, during an attempt to turn himself into a bird, Lucius instead turns himself into an ass, or donkey.

After this transformation Lucius must journey from place to place, seeking to reverse his fate. What follows are a series of adventures wherein fellow characters, and the ensuing escapades and misfortunes, must be endured by Lucius in spite of his animal form. Facing accusations of murder, almost being cooked for his meat, finding himself under the ownership of a Roman Legionary and meeting the Goddess Isis are just a few of the events that transpire around Lucius.

Variously attributed with the status of comic novel, coming of age story, and episodic adventure book, The Golden Ass remains an entertaining read. Whether the reader is a student of classics or early literature, or simply desires a good novel of historical import, the text is worthy of reading.