(? Titus) Petronius

Died 65 c.e.

Author

Sources

Pursuit of Pleasure. Credited as the author of Satyrica, a satirical narrative of hedonistic life in Rome, Petronius was a friend of the emperor Nero’s court. His birth date is uncertain. Petronius served as governor of Bithynia and was consul in 61 C.E., appointments that he successfully fulfilled. Petronius seems to have dedicated the remainder of his life to writing, sleeping, and the pursuit of pleasure. Petronius’s sense of style was considered so refined that he was unofficially called the emperor’s “arbiter of elegance.” Nero considered nothing charming or elegant without Petronius’ approval. Such favoritism incurred the jealousy of other courtiers, and soon Petronius came under Nero’s suspicion. Without waiting for official orders, Petronius committed suicide in a long, protracted process that involved variously cutting open his veins and binding them up again while he conversed with friends, ate, and slept so that his death might appear natural. His last act was to send a letter to Nero, not flattering him as was the custom for those about to perish under imperial order, but detailing Nero’s debaucheries and the names of his male and female companions. Petronius died in 65 C.E.

Sources

Philip B. Corbett, Petronius (New York: Twayne, 1970).

Froma I. Zeitlin, “Petronius as Paradox: Anarchy and Artistic Integrity,” Transactions of the American Philological Association, 102 (1971): 631-684.